Innovation schools share insights at AWB Legislative Day

Too often, it's what's not working in public schools that grabs the headlines or the spotlight.

Today, though, at AWB's Legislative Day education panel, it was all about what is working -- and why we need to do more of it. The panel was moderated by AWB Education Committee Chair Natalie McNair-Huff of True Blue, Inc. and sponsored by K12 Virtual Academies.

Representatives from Tacoma's Science and Math Institute (SAMI) and the Delta High School in Richland shared with AWB members how they've been successful in moving students of all backgrounds and education levels to success in their unique schools.

SAMI, a partnership between Tacoma Public Schools and Tacoma Metro Parks that began in 2009, capitalizes on one of the state's largest parks (Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium), as well as partnerships with local universities, to help students focus on science and mathematics through experiential learning. The school is modeled after the district's other successful innovative school, the Tacoma School of the Arts. Students apply during their eighth-grade year to attend SAMI. School days are a little longer, and students are encouraged to apply for internships, participate in seminars and travel regionally or internationally, as part of the school's focus on applied learning.

Jon Ketler, principal of Stewat Middle School, spoke to the progam's power to catpture the attention of students for who school and/or homeowrk is not a priority at home, or for whom traditional K-12 environments have not been successful.

"How do you get those students engaged in their own educational experience? That's the question," said Ketler. "As the adults, we have to help them see those learning opportunities that they may not have."

The Delta High School, a joint partnership of the Richland, Pasco and Kennetwick school districts, was developed around the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The school relies heavily on partnerships with area businesses and government entities -- such as Batelle and Pacific Northwest National Labs -- to provide professional guidance, mentors and advisors.

Like SAMI and SOTA in Tacoma, Delta has been exceedingly well received in the Tri-Cities. The school currently has more applicants than space available, according to Karen Baker of the Washington State STEM Education Foundation. As a result, access to Delta is determined by a lottery. And it's attracting students from every segment of the student spectrum: Forty-seven percent of its students are on free and reduced lunch programs. Some studnets have never traveled outside of the county; others may have parents with graduate-level degrees. But all students at Delta are highly engaged in their own education and work weekly or bi-weekly with professionals in from the Tri-Cities. 

Delta, SAMI and SOTA are just three examples of innovative public schools in Washington that are helping students connect with learning and take an active role in their education. They are not the only ones -- and they may be joined by more in the near future.

This session in Olympia, lawmakers will be considering several education bills, including House BIll 2428 and its companion, Senate Bill 6202, authorizing charter schools to provide students and their families with different ways of engaging in learning. (AWB is pleased with the direction of the bills that have been introduced so far, said Donna Steward, AWB’s government affairs director for education.)

With a growing need for skilled workers, particularly in the STEM fields, it's clear more partnerhsips and innovative K-12 programs will be needed to not only meet our state's workforce needs, but to also capture students for whom traditional school is not working. 

State Rep. Kathy Haigh, D-Shelton, a long-time member of the House Education Committee participating in today's session, may have said it best: "In the end, we have to pay for outcomes, not seat time."