What+is+CFF?

 Classrooms for the Future is a PDE initiative to change teaching to utilize an inquiry approach. According to the PDE website, “ Grant recipients will receive funding to purchase technology equipment, ….. however, the purposes of the //Classrooms for the Future// program are not to support technology acquisition but to foster 21st Century teaching and learning.” To qualify for the CFF programs, districts submitted competitive grants in any/all of the past three years. PTHS received over $200,000 in grant money for the 2008-09 year with the district contributing another $40,000 of funds.  **What are the main features of the CFF program? **  //CFF Coach// – a support person who provides resources and co-plans or co-teaches. Presently Terry is provided with a substitute two days a week to attend to CFF duties. //Teachers & Professional Development // – all CFF teachers, administrators, and coaches are required to take a 30 hour online course and attend certain trainings and meetings. PT CFF teachers meet weekly and communicate daily //Technology // – student laptops computers and peripherals such as a camera, printer, projector and SmartBoard for each involved teacher //Data Collection // – CFF teachers must agree to being observed by either/both district administrators and CFF personnel. In addition, both the teachers and their students must take CFF surveys at several points in the year  **How were the CFF teachers chosen? ** Because PDE limited the program to English, math, social studies and science teachers, two members were recruited from each department. The current CFF teachers volunteered to participate.  **What do CFF teachers get paid? ** No one in the CFF program gets paid an extra stipend. At PTHS, participants will be give future in-service time for CFF professional development but are expected to attend after-school meetings and complete the online course on their own time. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'AvantGarde','sans-serif';"> **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'AvantGarde','sans-serif';">What is unique about PTHS’s CFF program? ** <span style="color: black; font-family: 'AvantGarde','sans-serif';">PTHS is adding an additional component to CFF: online instruction. In an agreement defined by a Memorandum of Understanding between the PTFT Union and the district, CFF teachers are developing coursework that can be delivered via a course management system such as BlackBoard. Participants in this facet of the program must participate in additional training beyond what is required by CFF and reach specified benchmarks. In return they may be assigned a maximum of 5 classes and one duty each day. They will also receive the usual stipend for creating their new curricula. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'AvantGarde','sans-serif';"> **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'AvantGarde','sans-serif';">How is CFF changing PTHS instruction? ** <span style="color: black; font-family: 'AvantGarde','sans-serif';">Much like the successful HP Grant implemented at PTHS in the past few years, CFF is providing our teachers with tools and training they can use to complement the great instruction they’ve already been doing. Because of the technology teachers can structure lessons to utilize more student collaboration (Google Docs) or authentic learning (publishing their work online) or globalization (skyping with other schools). Because of the increased staff communication and teamwork, teachers are exposed to different ideas and have a support group for sharing and learning. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'AvantGarde','sans-serif';"> **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'AvantGarde','sans-serif';">What does this mean for non-CFF teachers? ** <span style="color: black; font-family: 'AvantGarde','sans-serif';">All staff members can get involved in the CFF program to some degree. Teachers may participate in the voluntary after school programs offered by the CFF Coach, and may participate in the online coursework. Staff members can take advantage of the CFF Coach to have technology integration support by making an appointment with Terry. Teachers can volunteer to participate in future CFF grants or volunteer to teach online courses per the MOU. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'AvantGarde','sans-serif';"> **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'AvantGarde','sans-serif';">Why can’t all teachers use CFF equipment? ** <span style="color: black; font-family: 'AvantGarde','sans-serif';">PDE limits the use of the CFF equipment to those teachers who participate in the CFF program, which includes the 21st century skills training. CFF equipment is a tool that is one part of the CFF program. Allowing nonCFF teachers to use the equipment is a violation of the grant. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'AvantGarde','sans-serif';"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'AvantGarde','sans-serif';"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'AvantGarde','sans-serif';"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'AvantGarde','sans-serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'AvantGarde','sans-serif';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'AvantGarde','sans-serif';">What is the CFF Program? **