Zebra New Tech Hosts Study Tour for State Leaders

Students and staff of Zebra New Tech High in Rochester, Indiana, hosted a study tour on January 25 for members of the Indiana General Assembly, the media, higher education, K-12 educators, and civic and community leaders interested in school reform. The study tour provided information for planning and implementing the New Technology High School design.

As part of the study tour, Deb Howe, superintendent of Rochester Community Schools, explained the economic issues that triggered the radical shift in schooling necessary for Rochester's youth. According to Howe, only 4 percent of adults have bachelor's degrees, only 22 percent of adults ages 18 to 24 have associate degrees, and fewer students are graduating than in previous years. In response, Howe and the entire community began a journey to understand globalization and chart a course for change in the Rochester Community School Corporation.

After discussing the systemic change process implemented by Rochester Community Schools, participants visited classrooms starting with Project Lead the Way. Technology instructor Joel Lowe demonstrated how students work as inventors by imagining an object and, through the pre-engineering class, creating a new product.

In Global Perspectives, another Zebra New Tech class, students were busy developing their dream vacation by researching major tourist attractions, housing, transportation, history, geography, recreational and educational opportunities, and local cuisine. In biology, student teams were researching how cancer affects cells. Student teams selected a type of cancer, identified signs and symptoms, risk factors, the prognosis, and treatment. Information had to be shared using multimedia, PowerPoint, a movie, or advertisement. Students often selected cancers that had affected family members including skin, breast, prostate, and lung cancers. Both projects emphasized research and organizational skills, and improved note-taking, word-processing and literacy skills.

After visiting classrooms, study tour participants attended a question and answer session. Howe discussed the challenges of bringing an aging building up to code to address the escalating use of technology. "In order to cover the associated costs," said Howe, "we use Capitol Projects funds, Title II funding, grants from Workforce Development, prioritize needs, get partners and put our hands out."

Another question involved the frequency of textbook use. Chris Goodman, a tour guide and freshman at Zebra New Tech answered, "We rarely use textbooks in class, and our computer skills will be awesome when we go on to college."

Visitors also were interested in hearing from veteran teachers who had spent time in traditional classrooms. Acknowledging having moved into the change somewhat reluctantly, Dan McCarthy, ninth grade New Tech English teacher, shared his perspective. "In the past, I’ve always felt, if I covered a lot of materials, the kids should know it. Their grade would have been the greatest motivation. Now having students work on projects, the projects become the motivation. Students do not ask questions about why we are doing this. It makes a lot more sense, and I think we are going in the right direction," McCarthy said.

 

CELL upcoming events

September 11, 2008
Indiana New Tech High School Network Meeting

September 18, 2008
Indiana Early College High School Network Meeting

November 17-18, 2008
Indiana Education Transformation Conference:
Responding to Tomorrow's World -
Breaking the Mold of Today's High Schools

For more events...
 

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