Expert help to get PBL Course Approval for UC Schools

Client: Marin Community Schools, California

The Challenge:

Marin Community Schools (MCS) is a well-respected Charter School in Marin County, with a unique model of competency-based learning and PBL.  MCS was looking to gain A-G, UC approval for all of their core academic courses but wanted to maintain fidelity to their pedagogical model and core principles. With the many demands of a new school, MCS didn’t have the bandwidth to write the course descriptions for approval and having worked previously with CraftED, knew that our team could help. 

The Solution:

CraftED worked closely with MCS leadership to understand their unique model, design principles and existing assessment criteria. MCS wanted CraftED to design practical course descriptions that would not only work for UC approval, but could also be used by teachers in the school as a general pacing guide and teaching framework. CraftED put together a team of co-writers that are experts in the content areas of each course that MCS needed descriptions. 

The Results: 

  • CraftED met frequently with MCS leadership to iterate on the framework for the course descriptions, to ensure that CraftED was providing exactly what MCS needed for their unique model. 
  • CraftED created project-based course descriptions for the following classes: grades 9-12 social science, grades 9-11 ELA, 3 integrated science courses, 4 integrated (Problem-based) math courses.
  • MCS was able to submit all course descriptions to University of CA for A-G eligibility.

 

“Jenny and her talented team helped us develop 16 high school course descriptions. We plan to have the courses approved by the University of California System soon. Her team listened to our needs, and designed courses that integrate project-based learning, competency-based learning, and social and emotional learning. Her team was professional and prompt. I’m grateful for Crafted Curriculum’s support and highly recommend Jenny and her team!”

-Erin Ashley, Co-founder of Marin Community Schools