The Tech Academy, a three-week program sponsored by different universities and the Santa Clara County Office of Education, helped sixth-grade and middle-school students explore and improve skills to pursue college level work in the engineering and technology fields.
Experienced teachers such as Sobrato High School science educator Stephen Lentz provided instruction with support from industry professionals, college faculty and students. Problem-solving techniques and hands-on laboratory projects are taught concurrently to reinforce students' learning. They also go to two field trips that also reinforce their learning experience.
The academy's purpose is to expand student participation in math and science and to improve understanding of and the need for increased achievement in seeking a career in engineering and technology. Students who complete this program will receive a certificate and based on their regular academic performance will be invited to attend the 2009 Summer Engineering and Technology Academy for advanced students.
The Tech Academy 2008 second session participants assembled methane and oxygen models and Lentz taught them a lesson on fire and water at Ann Sobrato High School. Among other lessons, the Morgan Hill and Gilroy school district students used methane and oxygen models that when combined become water.
Details: Jay Pinson at Pinsonjay@aol.com or Stephen Lentz at slentz4454@yahoo.com.
State schools chief appoints new director
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell appointed John "J.T." Lawrence as director of the California Department of Education's Standards and Assessment Division, effective July 15.
"I am pleased that J.T. Lawrence is joining our team and bringing with him experience, expertise, and energy to oversee our statewide testing system," O'Connell said. "Assessments are an important measure of academic progress and a critical part of our concerted effort to set high standards for California's students and help them attain academic excellence."
Lawrence replaces Deborah Sigman, who in May was named deputy superintendent of the CDE's Assessment and Accountability Branch.
As director of Standards and Assessment, Lawrence will oversee the development, coordination and implementation of statewide testing programs, such as the Standardized Testing and Reporting program, the California High School Exit Exam, and the California English Language Development Test. He also will direct the collection, reporting and use of student achievement information to improve California's schools.
Lawrence served as a lead consultant with the Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) and as the director of assessment and accountability at the San Diego County Office of Education. Lawrence is a visiting educator from that office.
Silicon Valley Education Foundation moves
The Silicon Valley Education Foundation, led by Executive Director Chaudhry Muhammed, has moved into its new home in the Sobrato Center for Non-profits, 1400 Parkmoor Ave., in San Jose.
The Sobrato Foundation granted SVEF 12,000 square feet of space rent free for the next 10 years at the center. The funds saved in rent and overhead will allow SVEF to focus on servicing the teachers and students of Silicon Valley.
The foundation has also welcomed four new staff members over the last few months. They are Lisa Gonzales, vice president of education; Grace Karr, director of education; Brian Kaplan, director of development and Karen Nicholson, development manager.
Details: www.svefoundation.org or (408) 790-9400
Stepping Up to Algebra starts classes
The Silicon Valley Education Foundation launched the Stepping up to Algebra (SUTA) program June 23 as part of its Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math initiative. SUTA is a program designed to advance students ahead one grade level in math. The foundation's goal is to prepare sixth- and seventh-grade students to take algebra I during the school year. The program is being held in four school districts, with 450 students taking part in the four-week program.
The 18 teachers participating in the program received professional development training provided by the Noyce Foundation. Teachers learned new strategies for helping students improve their problem solving skills in math.
Corporate volunteers from Flextronics International, IBM and National Semiconductor were placed in the SUTA classrooms. The volunteer role was to help students in math and to discuss the connection between math and the workplace. In addition, Flextronics Corporation produced a DVD for the SUTA program which shows how math is used in the company and explains why math is important.
Details: www.svefoundation.org or 408-790-9400
Student enrollment for 2008-09 school year to begin
To better meet the needs of staff and the community, all student enrollment in the Morgan Hill Unified School District will now be handled at the individual school sites.
Parents will be able to go directly to their school site for address changes and registration. Enrollment for students for the 2008-09 school year will resume at all schools as follows:
n High schools: Monday, July 28
n Middle schools: Thursday, July 31
n Elementary schools: Friday, August 1
School sites will be open for registration 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.
As of June 30, the district's Enrollment Center has not done enrollment.
Details: Morgan Hill Unified School District, 201-6001 or www.mhusd.k12.us.
Natalie Everett Natalie Everett covers education and city issues for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106, ext. 201, or neverett@morganhilltimes.com.
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