STEAM Priority Benchmarks for Success

These priority benchmarks are a guide to help schools as they plan out teacher professional learning and student learning experiences supporting the STEAM program. They were developed from feedback from Principals and Specialists at our current schools looking for more clarity on where to focus.

We encourage you to consider using them as a base to develop your school’s own implementation plan for STEAM.

These do not have to be the only benchmarks a school chooses to focus on. They are the framework the STE(A)M Schools Team will use for professional learning and Implementation on Pace (IoP) suggestions.

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CPS Dept. of STEM

Suggested Ways to Utilize the Priority Benchmarks

Before planning...Choose the year your school is in, or the year that most fits your school’s situation, then:

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• Meet with your STEAM Leadership team to highlight which of these Priority Benchmarks will be the focus of the STEAM work

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• Have ILT choose a few Priority Benchmarks to guide their focus in upcoming school year

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• Share out the plan with parents and community to demonstrate which parts of STEAM work school is currently prioritizing

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• Let students choose 1-2 for school to prioritize

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• Determine teacher leaders to lead one of each of the Priority Standards for the school year- designate meetings times for all teacher leaders to come together to discuss progress

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All of our STE(A)M learning is aligned to…

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Incubating Year (Year 0)

Implementing (Year 1)

Implementing (Year 2)

Implementing and Sustaining(Year 3 +)

Mission Driven Leadership

School Structures and Culture

Institutional Capacity

Instructional Approach

K-12 Program of Study

STEM Career Pathways

Family & Community Engagement

Benchmarks: C, D, E

Benchmarks: A, B, C, D, E

Benchmarks: A, D

Benchmarks: B, C

Benchmarks: A, B, C, D

Benchmarks:A, B

A, B (still implemented)

A, D (still implemented)

Benchmarks: C, D

Benchmarks: A,C,G,H

Benchmarks: A, B

Benchmark: C

C (still implemented)

A,C,G,H (still implemented)

C, D (still implemented)

Benchmark: A,B, E

Benchmarks: B, F, J, I, K

Benchmark: A

Benchmarks: A, B, C, D, E

STEAM

Benchmarks: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K

Benchmarks: C, D

Benchmarks: A, B, C

A, B (still implemented)

Benchmark: C

Benchmarks: B

Benchmark: A

A, C (still implemented)

C (still implemented)

Benchmarks: A, B, C,D,E

STEAM Standards for Success

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Elementary & High School

Note: This visual shows the STEM Priority Standards written out so that it is easier to read.

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Benchmarks: think of them as characteristics, traits, criterion, “What does it look like?”, etc.

Components: think of them as domains of learning, overarching themes, structures, etc.

Component: Mission Driven Leadership

Benchmark examples

Benchmark a: Leadership priorities reflect investments

in STE(A)M teaching & learning.

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• STE(A)M funds are used to pay for PD focused

on STE(A)M

• Ensures quality MakerSpace items, online educational subscriptions or curricula are provided for students.

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Benchmark b: Leadership ensures instructional staff use collaborative planning & development time to strengthen & refine STE(A)M instructional practices.

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• Ensures there are planning opportunities in all grade levels,
• STE(A)M Specialists are used for mentoring/coaching,
• School-wide PD opportunities are available throughout

the entire school year.

Benchmark c: Leadership collaborates with staff to implement STE(A)M priorities in classroom instruction.

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• Ensures there are monthly meetings with STE(A)M Specialists and/or other STE(A)M leadership members to plan, modify, and reflect on instructional strategies that enhance the student STE(A)M experience.