“This commitment came out of the community forums conducted over the last two years where the need for STEM expansion, along with other 21st Century skills were obviously supported by our parent community,” said Enoch. “This interest, combined with very tangible financial support from parents and community has enabled us to move forward in better meeting the needs of our students. This has included a significant increase in the use of technology in the classrooms, resulting in greater engagement of students, more effective use of instructional time, and improved relevance to the curriculum.”
While the district recently boasted another significant increase in its Academic Performance Index (API – SRVUSD is the highest performing district among all large unified districts in the state), the schools chief focused his most recent communication on STEM-related advancements. The following is a brief summary:
Science
1. Several of our middle schools have taken a very active role in the QUEST science program which integrates 21st Century teaching and learning into middle school science.
2. Gale Ranch and Windermere Ranch middle schools joined our other middle schools in participating in the Tri-Valley Science and Engineering Fair. SRVUSD students received nearly 70% of the awards from this competition.
3. We expanded our partnership with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, (LLNL) which included having high school and middle school students participate in video conferences with some of the most renowned scientists in the country.
4. Six (6) SRVUSD teachers were selected to engage in professional development programs with LLNL. These programs range in length from 3 weeks over this summer, to a 3 year commitment including multiple summers and weekends.
5. The San Ramon Valley USD co-hosted with the Bio-Rad Labs a regional biotechnology training for our teachers along with teachers from six other East Bay school districts.
Technology
1. Working with AT&T and utilizing Measure “A” bond funds, the district has been able to significantly expand bandwidth to all schools in the district as well as create wireless environments within the schools.
2. Because of the generous support of parents at various schools more than 1500 wireless laptop computers, 100 iPod Touches, 180 desktop computers, 50 interactive white boards, and 290 projectors and /or document cameras have been integrated into the teaching and learning environments of our schools. This represents an on-going trend away from traditional computer labs in favor of mobile technology utilized by students and teachers within the classrooms.
3. We created a parent–staff Technology Advisory Committee that has already acted to formally promote the adoption of a Partnership for21st Century Skills framework for the district.
Engineering
1. All four comprehensive high schools now offer engineering classes, with California High School offering a new comprehensive Engineering Academy, taught by John Korzick, this year’s SRVUSD Teacher of the Year.
2. Chevron Corporation has assumed an active partnership role in promoting engineering classes. More specifically, Chevron Corporation has provided significant financial support for the implementation of the nationally acclaimed Project Lead the Way program, which provides an introduction to engineering at both the middle school and high school level. (We have also implemented a Project Lead the Way health academy program, funded in large measure by the San Ramon Regional Hospital and the San Ramon Regional Hospital Foundation.)
3. The district now offers engineering classes ranging from Introduction to Engineering, Principles of Engineering, to Computer Integrated Manufacturing and Robotics classes. Many of these classes now qualify towards admission into the University of California system.
Mathematics
1. The district implemented a new math program, “Envision Math”, in grades K-5 throughout the district, as well as a new math program for the middle grades.
2. The district sponsored professional development regionally for the new K-5 math program, which included presentations from the actual authors of the program.
3. The SRVUSD will be the first district to pilot a new high school math course, Algorithmic Geometry, next year, with funding coming from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. This course will first be taught at Dougherty Valley High School.
4. The district has focused on creating common assessments in mathematics to create more consistent expectations and accountability throughout the district.
“As you can see the San Ramon Valley Unified School District has taken seriously the challenge to better prepare our students for the 21st Century and to expand learning opportunities related to STEM”, said Enoch. “While I am proud of what our teachers and support staff have accomplished we do see this as ‘work in progress’. Our commitment to this effort remains strong and we expect that in the year ahead this commitment will become an even stronger priority for the district.”
For more information about the San Ramon Valley Unified School District, Click Here, or call 925-552-2942.
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