Print
Email Story
This fall, the Tri-Cities will launch an innovative high school that promises to improve learning and teaching, reach more kids and ultimately help put our community at the forefront of education reform in the region. Delta High School is an exciting project that has brought many areas of the community together -- educators, business people, scientists and engineers, as well as students and parents.
Delta and other schools like it are hitting the American education scene none too soon. It has been well-documented that America's advantages in the marketplace and in science and technology are eroding. Recent reports such as Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future paint a bleak picture of our nation's economic future unless we reverse the trend that has seen fewer and fewer U.S. students choose science and engineering careers. There's also concern that regardless of what career field students choose, we need to have a more technically literate citizenry that can effectively navigate an increasingly technological world, and one that can make wise choices on complex issues ranging from climate change to health care.
Fortunately, there's hope. Nationally, business leaders and educators have taken up the cause of transforming the way science and math are taught in American schools in order to better prepare today's students for the work force of tomorrow.
One response is STEM education. STEM -- which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics -- is a national education movement designed to create critical thinking skills across disciplines, prepare students for science and math courses in college, and help communities and the nation stay competitive in a global economy. Evidence shows these schools produce graduates with a deeper knowledge and a stronger passion for learning, which translates into much higher rates of college attendance and more students majoring in scientific and technical fields.
Delta High School will be one of the first STEM schools in the Northwest. It will open its doors this August at Columbia Basin College's Richland campus with about 100 freshmen from the Kennewick, Pasco and Richland school districts. The school will add one grade per year until it has about 400 students in grades nine through 12 in the 2012-13 school year.
Delta will use innovative, relevant programs that appeal to students who seek a highly personalized, small-school approach to learning, where academic subjects are connected, and students can engage in learning beyond the school walls. Delta students will learn by using a model that parallels the way scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians uncover knowledge and solve problems.
One of the exciting things about the school is the type of student it will attract. It is the hope of those of us who have been involved in the school that it will attract a broad spectrum of students -- students of all academic levels and interests, from diverse backgrounds and socioeconomic groups. In short, we want a student body that matches the demographics of the Tri-City community.
Delta will also serve as an economic development driver for the area. Access to quality secondary and higher education is a major discriminator among Metropolitan Statistical Areas. Delta will aid in recruiting high-wage employers and employees to the Mid-Columbia, serving as a draw for workers and families who will view the school as a possible option for their children. And it will help current employers who have expressed concern that there soon won't be enough well-trained scientists and engineers to provide local employers with an effective work force, let alone help the Tri-Cities expand its technology sector.
Many people and organizations came together to make the school a reality. These include the school's founding partners, the Kennewick, Pasco and Richland school districts, WSU Tri-Cities and Battelle, as well as Columbia Basin College. But somewhat lost in the news stories and publicity have been the many businesses, organizations and individuals that answered the call this fall and winter to provide cash and in-kind services to help launch the school. In fact, the extraordinary efforts of the business community were critical to Battelle's decision to provide $1.2 million to Delta, and to the decision to move forward with the school by the three school boards.
But the work is not finished. Although considerable funds have been raised, and while funding will follow students from their home school district, it is not sufficient to pay for all the renovations to the CBC facility, for start-up costs and a new facility.
We're fortunate to live in a community where education is valued, and where businesses, institutions and individuals have a vision and the will to try new things that will create a vibrant community. Delta High School will be a real asset to our community. If you would like to join us in supporting this cornerstone to area economic development and education, contact me at 737-1377 or ohl@vistaengr.com. Also, visit our website at www.thedeltahighschool.com.
