OPED: Schools’ chief responds to STEM question

SUBMITTED BY: Dr. Cindy Stevenson, Superintendent, Jeffco Schools

 A recent letter to the editor of YourHub rallied Jeffco community members to ask Jeffco Schools, “Where’s the STEM?”

I’ve got your answer – it’s already here!

Jeffco Schools values science, technology, engineering and mathematics as an essential element to the education of all children and that’s why these fields are already present in our schools.

Math and science are the foundation of a quality education and Jeffco celebrates great success and I will let the numbers speak for themselves:  

• Graduation requirements increased for ALL STUDENTS to 24 instead of 22 credit hours – that includes increased math, science and technology requirements.

• Forty-four percent of Jeffco eighth-graders completed algebra I during 2008-09.  That means nearly half of our eighth-graders are accelerated by one year in mathematics.

• Our high schools accepted the challenge of improving math and science instruction by expanding Advanced Placement (AP) and honors classes to help students excel.   There are 82 AP and International Baccalaruate (IB) sections in mathematics, 126 honors sections in mathematics, 65 AP sections in science and 132 honors sections in science – offered in 20 neighborhood and option high schools. 

• Project Lead the Way, a nationally recognized pre-engineering program, is present in six Jeffco senior high schools and many other Jeffco schools.  Other schools plan to offer the program in the future.

• Our high schools partner with local universities and colleges, allowing students to attend higher education classes for college and high school credit.  

o       The National School Board Association (NSBA) recently applauded Jeffco for “creative and innovative accomplishments…in support of 21^st century education.”   The Center for Digital Education’s 2009 Digital School Districts Survey ranked Jeffco #1 in school districts with more than 15,000 students for an exceptional use of digital technology with students, parents, community and district governing.

Jeffco continues to expand programs in neighborhood high schools to meet the needs of our students.  Creating multiple pathways to student success is a priority, but it must be done in a cost efficient way – our taxpayers demand it. 

Our schools and classrooms have their pulse on the technology age, with students and teachers using innovative and integrated technology in classrooms every day.

It’s agreed that science, technology, engineering and mathematics are essential for all of our students.  We also believe that arts, athletics, career development and humanities are crucial for creating 21^st century citizens, which is why Jeffco continues to be cutting edge in educating our kids for the future.

It’s also no secret that Jeffco Schools faces hard budget times and this may not be the time to open new schools, but instead focus and commit to the schools already in your neighborhood. 

So to the question, “Where’s the STEM?” 

Answer — It’s already in your backyard.

Sincerely,

Dr. Cindy Stevenson

Superintendent, Jeffco Schools