Blog Post

Announcing the STEM and STE(A)M School ReDesignation Task Force

The Tennessee STEM Innovation Network (TSIN) and the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) are committed to ensuring each child in Tennessee is challenged, prepared and empowered for their postsecondary journey. STEM and STE(A)M education provides an opportunity for each child to discover and learn, pursue a fulfilling post-high school path and to become a resilient, lifelong learner. STEM and STE(A)M education are an integrated approach to learning where rigorous academic concepts are learned through real-world, project-based experiences. Students use science, technology, engineering, arts/humanities and mathematics concepts to make authentic connections between school, community and work experiences. The Tennessee STEM and STE(A)M School Designation was created to award and recognize schools that are exemplars of this work. The list of current STEM Designated Schools across the state can be found here. [https://www.tsin.org/current-designated-stem-schools]

An incredible team of school and district level leaders from across the state have been selected to support the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network (TSIN) and the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) in designing the STEM and STE(A)M Redesignation process. This team will help craft a framework, including a roadmap, benchmarks, and outcomes, for the TN STEM and STE(A)M Redesignation process.

Schools that have earned designation are required to apply for redesignation after 5 years. This component of the process functions as a reflective tool that immerses school leaders in continuous improvement planning. School level teams collaborate to ensure their STEM programming is accessible to all students. Schools re-evaluate their goals, adjust processes and protocols, and have the opportunity to improve upon their current STEM plan. Redesignation allows school level teams to celebrate success and refocus on areas where continued growth is possible including faculty and staff changes over time. The redesignation application provides a unique opportunity for schools to showcase growth that has occurred during the 5 year period since earning designation. The goal over the redesignation is to ensure STEM and STE(A)M teaching and learning has become an element of the school culture. The first set of schools that will complete the STEM/STE(A)M Redesignation application were those that earned designation in 2018. The first round of redesignation applications will occur during the 2022-23 academic year.

More information on the STEM and STE(A)M School Designation process can be found here. [https://www.tsin.org/stem-school-designation].

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