Lab School Book Excerpts
“New Tech High didn’t evolve its way to become a twenty-first century school. New Tech did not adopt pilot programs or attempt partial implementation of new teaching methods. New Tech was created to be a twenty-first century school from the ground up.” …
(A Student’s Story)“On my first day, I knew immediately that New Technology High School was different – computers on every table, glass walls, and classroom seating focused on interaction among students as opposed to in rows looking at the teachers. Throughout my time there, I developed the technological savvy that defines the “Tech” of New Tech. I learned how to use word procession, spreadsheet, and presentation tools. I designed a website, and I used multi-media and imaging programs. More important, I learned that one of New Tech’s greatest successes comes from placing the student in the “driver’s seat” through project-based learning.” … (graduate of New Tech High)“One of the key factors to New Tech High’s early success was that it wasn’t laid on top of an existing school or program…. Because it was a new school, the staff at New Tech High was able to institutionalize reform, making it the norm instead of the exception. Before the doors opened, the creators evaluated current education research, visited successful schools and studied effective programs. All of that knowledge was integrated into a cohesive plan for redefining every level of the hierarchy to meet the needs of a twenty-first century school.” …
“The Napa Unified School district’s school board, working with the business community, decided that rather than trying to change the comprehensive high school, they would create a model school that would incubate innovative ideas and become a learning opportunity for the rest of the district’s staff.”