How to Implement Define U

How To Implement Define U!

Schools can take advantage of several opportunities to implement the Define U program and its many benefits. . The Define U program can be effective in uniting and building a sense of team and community amongst students, teachers, and staff. Define U is also effective in helping all students reach thier academic standards and life goals.

TRAINING/EDUCATION/EDUCATOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Define U program follows a "train the trainer" method where teachers, counselors and other key school staff become educated on how to facilitate the modules. This professional development is an additional benefit of the Define U program!

In Person Training
Educators often express how they enjoyed the training and the additional experience on how to be a leadership and life skills facilitator.

The instruction involves a member of our team facilitating a one day in person session followed by review sessions (online or in person) if desired. Educators are provided with important resources to make their program a success as outlined below.

Instructional Manual
Each leadership facilitator is provided with a fifty page instructional manual complete with the with anticipatory sets and photos of the activities.

Complimentary Program DVD
In addition, educators are provided with an instructional DVD showing past Define U programs in action so the facilitators can see the program at work. Though the video is not of motion picture quality, it has been a great tool to complement the manual, in person and online training.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE
The Define U program can be customized to fit a school's preferences, schedule and academic calendar. The facilitator training works best if scheduled one to five months prior to the program implementation. The curriculum can be easily managed and sliced in a variety of ways. Define U can be implemented in the following ways:

Full Day Programs
Define U can be implemented as a full school day program. By following this method students would have the option of meeting in person for two full days. In between sessions, students would meet in person or online one to three times depending on a schools calendar.   This model works best when schools would like their students to benefit immediately from the program and time can be allocated to full day sessions.

Summer Instruction
Schools looking to provide alternativee skill development to correlate with academic progress can use Define U during their year round schooling initiatives. The program can be implemented as a part of summer instruction. Students enjoy the benefit of doing many of the activities outdoors as well.

Semester Long/Full School Year
Some schools may prefer to have the program implemented as a semester long program where students receive the Define U instruction in thirty or sixty minute formats over the course of the semester.   This implementation method allows for even greater educator/student engagement and positive relationship building.

PROGRAM MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
All materials and supplies are provided to the Define U school (except for writing instruments!) Students are provided a folder that includes their Define U Student guidebook, their personal Life Positioning System Owners Manual as well as their large blank map paper to design their own Life Map. Schools are provided with Define U material kits which include all supplies necessary to carry out the program. Each Define U program is designed for 50 students. Schools wishing to have more than 50 students at a given time order additional kits.  The school will need access to large open space and approximately three classrooms to implement the program.

PROGRAM COSTS
The Define U program costs vary depending on the number of students participating in the program. The cost per student decreases significantly the more students in a school and/or school district who participate. Since the program is effective for both middle school and high school students, most schools have students from each grade participate. On average a Define U program is implemented by a school and or district for that involves at least 1,000 of their students during the academic year. The cost of the program per student based on 1,000 students is approximately $45 - $55 per student. This is a highly cost effective program for the skills that students obtain from the program.

The cost per student includes:

· 16 hours of the Define U curriculum

· Define U student guidebook

· The Life Positioning System Owners Manual

·                     Instructional Curriculum Guidebooks for each trained teacher

·                    Access to online review videos for trained teachers

·                     All program materials and supplies

·                     Professional development training for the educators selected to be the Define U leadership facilitators.

Schools can utilize national, state and local grants to help support and fund the program. Define U meets the criteria of a High School Graduation Initiative Project.

Contact the Define U team to see when when can schedule your school to implement the program. Schools can contact Program Director, Beth Mooney at 484-880-1458 or reach us at info@defineuonline.com