Area 31 Career Center STEM curriculum aligns with standards set forth by the Indiana Department of Education, post-secondary partners, and relevant industry credentialing exams. Some offerings, such as Project Lead the Way (PLTW) content (2.1.A & 2.1.B), have been formally vetted as qualified STEM offerings by the Indiana Department of Education. All curricula have been vetted by program advisory committees, the MSD Wayne Township Board of Education, and relevant post-secondary partners. 100% of Area 31 Career Center curricula are evidence-based, and all programs are supported by Academic Integration Specialists. These experienced specialists join program instructors in planning, and often co-teaching, integrated and cross-curricular lessons.

The curriculum of Area 31 Early College programs has been endorsed by the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL), as evidenced by Exemplary Early College Career Center distinction (2.1.C.) A list of Area 31 Career Center program offerings (2.1.D) and embedded dual credits (2.1.E) is provided.

2.1.A Sample PLTW Project 1

All Area 31 participating high schools provide access to multiple computer science courses (2.2.A.) MSD Decatur Township, for example, provides students with access to a full K-12 computer science pathway. Students from participating sending schools who do not have access to multiple levels of programming at their home high school may access additional courses at Area 31 Career Center, Ben Davis High School, or through MSD Wayne Township's Achieve Virtual Academy. In addition to formal computer science courses, many school participating schools offer programs in computer coding, database management, etc., and embed computer science instruction within other courses or supplemental experiences.

At Area 31 Career Center, students have access to coursework in cybersecurity, computer networking, graphic imaging, graphic design and layout, and web design (2.2.B.) Additionally, programs such as PLTW engineering and precision machining introduce programming and computer science concepts in the real world context and application of robotics (2.2.C), PLC, and the programming of CNC machines. Currently, the Area 31 STEM Leadership team is working in collaboration with Ivy Tech Community College toward the implementation of "Industry 4.0" concepts across all Area 31 Career Center programs.

Employability Skills Standards are required components of all Area 31 Career Center courses. As such, 100% of students receive employability skills training as they participate in STEM learning experiences. Employability skills are encouraged by instructors, employer partners, and the MSD Wayne Habits of Success initiative (2.3.A.)

Program instructors engage in professional learning regarding the development and assessment of workforce readiness skills. Instructors then assess the employability skills of students using proficiency rubrics (2.3.B.) Students must meet certain performance benchmarks before being released for formal work-based learning employment. Throughout each year, Area 31 Career Center students test their employability skills by engaging with program customers, participating in mock interviews (2.3.C), presenting to authentic audiences, and participating in Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) competitions (2.3.D.) All Area 31 Career Center seniors have the opportunity to pursue the Indiana Governor's Work Ethic Certification.

Area 31 Career Center is committed to serving all students. This commitment, and the growth of Area 31 Career Center personnel, is strongly supported by the MSD Wayne Township Curriculum Instruction and Assessment (CIA) Team. This group offers resources and intentional professional development activities that promote equity and diversity within our school community (2.4.A, 2.4.B, & 2.4.C.) Because students enter career and technical education programs at varying levels of readiness, a number of supports have been arranged to support student needs. Area 31 Career Center employs a dedicated special education coordinator who works directly with students, instructors, parents, and Teachers of Record. This individual offers strategies to teachers so that they can appropriately engage students with identified special needs while providing necessary accommodations under a student's IEP/504/Medical Plan. The special education coordinator works with instructors and Teachers of Record to determine if and how curricular materials might be refined to meet the unique needs of a given student.

Area 31 Career Center instructors and administrators receive extensive training on how to support the unique needs of a diverse student population. Recent training topics include de-escalation strategies (Pro-ACT, 2.4.D), special education inclusion, Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP), supporting English Language Learners (2.4.E), Changes in Title IX legislation, and racial equity training.

All Area 31 Career Center students have access to social-emotional support from two licensed counselors. Students also have access to employment support and employability skills coaching from local Career Pathway Specialists. When necessary, students are supported with assistive supports including interpreting services and/or assistive technologies.

2.4.A Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (CIA) Focus

The objective of assessment is to measure student learning, but assessment can also be used as a way of gauging the effectiveness of instruction. Area 31 Career Center teachers measure learning across several domains including: applied knowledge, workplace skills, and interpersonal skills. They also implement a variety of strategies to assess student learning including proficiency checklists, observation and discussion, peer-to-peer reflection, quizzes and tests, industry credentialing exams, and feedback from authentic audiences (2.5.A.)

100% of Area 31 Career Center instructors use a variety of assessment methods for students to demonstrate STEM learning. Assessments include formative and summative evaluations, with feedback given to encourage continued growth (2.5.B.) Throughout student learning, instructors use checks-for-understanding that provide formative assessments that provide feedback on both what our teachers are doing and what our students are learning. Summative assessments in Area 31 Career Center programs are aligned to measure standard-based skills aligned with requirements from the Indiana Dept. of Education, post-secondary course objectives, and proficiencies identified by local industry partners (2.5.C & 2.5.D.)