Abstract

The California Partnership for Achieving Student Success (Cal-PASS) is a state¬wide consortium of data¬-driven Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) committed to using data as the driving force from which innovative instructional practices are developed. In the last few years in the United States, the secondary educational system focus has begun shifting toward a more collaborative model. Working within the PLCs and meeting in a collaborative group fits this model and creates more group responsibility, synergistically building on the strengths of the whole group. The South¬ Bay Science Council (PLC) is very unique. We are located about five miles North of the US-Mexico Border in Chula Vista, California. We have a vertical team of science professionals including elementary school through university teachers and professors. Chemistry, physics, computer science, biology, geology and physiology are the curricular areas we represent, along with four different school affiliations. Our council has created three innovations, with the fourth one currently being created. The first three innovations have already been adapted for use in our high school district. The current innovation is aimed at an elementary school district and will be in place in 2011. These are based on the data ¬driven trends in our state, county and city. Our issues are correct biology placement, interventions and support in math¬-heavy science classes, vocabulary and kinesthetic applications for ELL (English Language Learners) learners.