Creative Problem Solving : A Process for Buffalo Public Schools

By Kathy Vitagliano

Originally appeared in the International Creativity Network Newsletter, volume 4, number 2, 1994, page 1.

During the past two years, the Center for Studies in Creativity at Buffalo State College has been working closely with the Curriculum Department of the Buffalo Public Schools to train teachers and administrators as facilitators of the Creative Problem Solving (CPS) process with the cooperation of Sam Alessi, Acting Assistant Superintendent of the Buffalo Public Schools, and Sue Livsey, Project Administrator. More than 100 teachers have attended the Center's Five Day Programs through a business and industry grant awarded to the Buffalo schools to provide better work readiness skills for students.

Teachers have learned CPS facilitation in groups with participants from business and have begun to see the application of CPS both in the classroom and in business. Teachers have received training at two levels: basic facilitation and an additional practicum on teaching the facilitation process. Teachers from both levels of training have also been involved in curriculum development of CPS lessons and units for K-12. Under the direction of Dr. Scott Isaksen, the training team from the Center for Studies in Creativity has demonstrated a continuing commitment to the success of this initiative in the Buffalo schools. In May, the Center staff consulted with Buffalo teachers as to begin a second round of curriculum planning.

Susan Keller-Mathers and Kathy Vitagliano, Buffalo teachers and training team members for Center's Five Day Programs, are coordinating the curriculum development sessions for Buffalo and acting as liaisons to the Center. Three Saturday sessions in May and June were highly productive; a week long curriculum development session is scheduled for August.

Trained teachers have piloted CPS lessons in their classrooms and will continue to develop and refine units for future use. Teachers who have completed practicum level training have helped the Curriculum Department and Staff Development unit as facilitators for various public meetings, including community sessions for the Mission, Vision and Goals Committee of the Board of Education.

A core of CPS trained professionals has emerged in a number of schools who are already using CPS with students and faculty, and participating in curriculum development. The next step for Buffalo Public Schools is to begin using trained teacher-facilitators to train others in the CPS process at the school and district levels.

The Center for Studies in Creativity has supported this initiative by continuing to offer training through five day programs in April and August. The programs provide updates of CPS materials and models for past participants, opportunities to attend lectures and become members of the International Creativity Network (ICN), and continued availability of staff for advice and support. This exciting collaboration between Buffalo Public Schools and the Center for Studies in Creativity has already produced benefits for teachers and students, all who are committed to making Creative Problem Solving an important part of both education and business in the 21st century.

AJD 12/02