Preparing students for the 21st century requires that we re-think the what, how, and why of teaching and learning. Milestone Learning Experiences (MLEs) are a key component of the World in Portland Project's overall strategy to prepare students for the world of today. MLEs are in-depth learning projects designed to ensure a quality and relevant education for Portland students by providing opportunities for students to complete a major global inquiry project, serving as a critical rite of passage at the end of elementary, middle, and high school.
MLEs will give students the experience of developing and demonstrating expertise in an area of choice while advancing their global competence, academic literacy, analytic thinking, and communication skills. While the topics of investigation and types of comparison and analysis will vary, at the same time, they affirm the value of shared community experiences that are compelling and memorable.
During this 2012-13 academic year, we will work with interested teachers, elementary through high school, to design examples of what MLEs might look like in the PPS context and begin to pilot MLEs at the elementary and middle school levels. Through supporting, benchmarking, and monitoring the development of global competence among participating schools (in line with the Portland Public Schools Comprehensive School Plan Goal #2) we hope to develop a plan and structures in which eventually all students will be conducting research driven by their own interests.
MLEs will give students the experience of developing and demonstrating expertise in an area of choice while advancing their global competence, academic literacy, analytic thinking, and communication skills. While the topics of investigation and types of comparison and analysis will vary, at the same time, they affirm the value of shared community experiences that are compelling and memorable.
During this 2012-13 academic year, we will work with interested teachers, elementary through high school, to design examples of what MLEs might look like in the PPS context and begin to pilot MLEs at the elementary and middle school levels. Through supporting, benchmarking, and monitoring the development of global competence among participating schools (in line with the Portland Public Schools Comprehensive School Plan Goal #2) we hope to develop a plan and structures in which eventually all students will be conducting research driven by their own interests.