Scaling-Up Project CRITICAL Information for Year 3: 2019--2020

A group of 25 elementary/secondary CSD 3/5/6 teachers are completing year 2 of “Scaling Up Project CRITICAL,” a project funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Javits Gifted and Talented (G/T) Students Program through a grant to Syracuse University (SU). We are now seeking applicants for year three; preference given to schools that have 3 to 5 teachers.

There will be 10 PD Workshops: August 28 & 29: 8:30 am - 2:30 pm (catered lunch provided; held in Harlem (TBD). Since these August PD days are on your time, you will be paid by the university at the SU rate of $51 per hour for 11 hours (5.5 hours per day excluding 30-minute time for catered lunch) which totals $561 for the 2 August days. Do not apply unless you will be able to attend both August 28 & 29. The remaining 8 workshops will be held as school release days in September, October, November, January, March, and May; and 2 paid days ($561) during February break. All workshops will be either at the CSD 5 Office at 123 Morningside Drive (rear of P.S. 36) or at a Harlem school. Stipends total: $1122 for Aug & Feb.

CRITICAL’s philosophy, like that of our G/T consultants Professors Joseph Renzulli (UConn) and Heather Pinedo-Burns (Teachers College Columbia), is that “Talent Pool” students can be identified using the Renzulli Scales in any regular classroom. Professor Catherine Box (UPenn) presents on how to adapt the project’s problem-solving Internet applications in various content subjects (http://bit.ly/criticalyear3application) for English Learners (ELs). These applications were created by Professor James Carroll and his former SU colleague, Joe Montecalvo. In addition to the 10 PD days, ongoing technical assistance will be provided online and by 1 or 2 on-site visits to each teacher during 2018 - 2019 by NYC area Staff Developers Art Fortin and Norm Harris.

Our goals are to help teachers (grades 4-12) to (1) restructure curricula to focus on some social problems in your curricula; (2) identify “Talent Pool” students in regular classrooms; (3) learn how to integrate Problem-Based Learning Internet applications to analyze and develop solutions for those social problems; (4) develop WebQuests and PowerPoints aligned to state standards and our Internet applications; (5) learn differentiated strategies for both regular and Talent Pool students; (6) address the needs of ELs. These goals will improve performance on state standards and Regents exams.

1. Let me know ASAP if you would like your school to participate.

2. Select 3 to 5 teachers who are interested and can attend PD on both 8/28 & 8/29

3. Complete the http://bit.ly/criticalyear3application and (with principal’s approval) and submit by Friday, June 7th

4. Questions: Dr. Jim Carroll jcarroll@syr.edu

5. Dr. Carroll will send an e-mail confirming the acceptance of your applications