Support for Start-up/Expansion of

- An Exceptional Program Model in Secondary School Learning -

Integrated Programs

The Gosling Foundation, www.goslingfoundation.org works to enhance the capacity of communities and organizations to address environmental challenges through local education initiatives, action projects, and research.

The Foundation is in its fifth year of supporting educators initiating or expanding environmental integrated programs.

Visit the Foundation’s website to review its guiding principleshttp://www.goslingfoundation.org/index.cfm?page=projects

The Gosling Foundation and Integrated Programs

Background

We know that that there are over 150 integrated programs involving 2 to 4 credits currently operating in Ontario with many examples also found in other provinces.

Integration is a key feature. These programs are interdisciplinary in approach. Integrating themes vary widely. Initially this program model arose amongst outdoor and environmental educators.

Combing credits and working with one group of students for expanded periods of the school day provides these programs with flexibility to operate in the community at large and for many the main location is not the organizing school site.

These programs typically operate at the grade 10 to 12 level.

A range of student needs are addressed including at-risk, a careers focus, and/or leadership/citizenship development.

Credits selected depend on the integrating theme, local community features and teacher interest.

The four-credit model, where students select a program based on a four-credit package, has a 30 year history in Ontario.

Integrated Program Good Practice

Feature Rationale

High degree of integration of courses

Learning projects and experiences are the context for addressing learning expectations. By focusing on the complexity and relevance of real world issues, students engagement is very high.

Located at a non-school site in the community

Programs thus have the opportunity to create their own learning culture and access community learning resources and experiences.

Peer mentoring A context to develop collaborative skills and work as a community of learners.

Full four–credit course mix Maximizes learning program flexibility to follow learning as needed and not be restricted by timetable scheduling.

An elementary school program component

The secondary students teach elementary students participating in a special field trip experience. Funds raised contribute to program operating costs and help achieve long-term fiscal sustainability.

Some Current Programs

Community Environmental Leadership Program (Guelph, Palmerston and Mount Forest): Grade 10 - http://www.celp.info/

Headwaters (Guelph): Grade 12 - http://www.celp.info/

daVinci: Art, Science and the Environment (Guelph): Grade 11 http://www.ugdsb.on.ca/jfr/davinci/

Bronte Creek Project (Burlington): Grade 10 and 12 programs - http://www.brontecreekproject.org/

Why is this model so successful?

Use of highly successful experiential learning strategies or approaches (inquiry, interdisciplinary learning, sharing responsibility for learning with students, real-world learning contexts, consideration of alternative perspectives, local issues, acting on learning)

Engages students in learning beyond that experienced in typical school settings/organization

Provides a diversity of program delivery approaches particularly suitable for many students

Achievable within current school organizational structures

The leadership, inspiration and professional integrity of the teachers, who step forward to develop and deliver programs, incorporate the best of what we know about learning.

Past support

The Foundation has provided financial support to initiate or expand programs such as:

The ECO Project, Georgian Bay Secondary School, Meaford

DaVinci, Art, Science and the Environment, John F. Ross CVI, Guelph

Summit Program, Iroquois Falls Secondary School

RBG –Eco Program, Aldershot School - Burlington,

Terra Program, St. James Catholic Secondary School -Guelph

Gosling Foundation Support

Funding: Provide funds to assist with start-up or expansion costs (up to $10K per program with the number of applicants determining grant allocations).

Projects are eligible for up to three years of support but need to re-apply each year.

The Foundation also engages in facilitating teacher communication and professional development activities.

Selection Criteria

The Gosling Foundation uses the following criteria when determining which programs it can support:

1. Integrating theme is the environment and includes natural history appreciation

2. Four credit programs are favoured over two and three credit ones

3. Programs that operate for all or much of the semester at a non-school site are favoured

4. An income generating component such as elementary school fieldtrip program is part of the learning experience

Programs that do not meet all of criteria two to four are still invited to apply.

Many credit mixes are possible

Four-credit integrated programs often have a strong environment/outdoor education focus but many other approaches are possible.

These include: An art, science and environment focus as in the Grade

11DaVinci program in Guelph A media communications and environment focus A business and green technology focus A food and agriculture and the environment focus

Steps to starting a four-credit program with Gosling Foundation Support

Step 1. An interested teacher identifies the model and presents the concept to school administration and department heads following some basic research and program definition. An additional teacher may be identified at this time and the courses are finalized. Applicants notify the Gosling Foundation by January 21, 2011 by email indicating interest to apply for funds.

Step 2. With school approval for their program the teacher(s) initiate activities to get students to enrol for the program. Usually a minimum enrolment target has been identified that if reached will allow the program to proceed.

Step 3. With sufficient students enrolled, the learning program is planned including identifying learning activities and resources, firming up a location, determining start-up and operating costs, and setting a budget including income and expenses. Upon reaching minimum student enrolment, submit project description, budget, and funding request. Format provided.

Step 4 Letters of Agreement are prepared for successful applicants and upon signing, funds are sent to the school’s associated charitable foundation which then issues a tax receipt. Issuing a tax receipt is a condition of acceptance.

Step 5. The program begins in the appropriate semester. Upon completion of the semester a very brief report is required.

Applications for programs starting in the 2011/12 school year

Notification of interest to start a four- credit program for the 11/12 school year should reach the Foundation by January 21, 2011.

Applicants notify the Foundation when minimum enrolment targets have been met usually by late March.

An application is completed and submitted including a full project budget.

The Foundation assesses the applicants and informs those that are being supported by June 1.

For more information please contact

Gosling FoundationP.O. Box 1853Guelph, OntarioN6H 7A1www.goslingfoundation.org

Stan KozakProject ConsultantT 519 826-0408F 519 826-0407E skozak@sentex.ca