T-STEM Benchmarks 5.1-5.4: Work-Based Learning
The Waco Chamber’s Economic Development Strategic Plan identifies five target industries with the highest probability of sustained success for building a stronger regional economy. Greater Waco’s economic stability is enhanced by the diversity of its economic base with no single industry dominating the market.
To capitalize on this diversity, the Chamber’s Strategic Plan identifies these target industries as advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense, supply chain management, professional and financial services, and healthcare.
- Destination Imagination (DI) - David Truitt, Sponsor
- Technology Student Association (TSA) - Mark Monthie, Sponsor
- VEX Robotics - Mark Monthie, Sponsor
- Future Farmers of America (FFA) - Jolee and Anthony Meurer, Sponsors
- Culinary Arts Club - Veronica Gloeckner, Sponsor
Academic Literacy is an expectation of all teachers and students at West Middle/High School. Professional development prior to the start of school set the expectations with instructors for academic literacy in their respective content areas. Content teachers develop content activities that reinforce academic literacy in both reading and writing to reinforce their curriculum.
During Professional Learning Team (PLT) times, teachers participate in current research trends, book studies, and discussion on their implementation of the literacy initiatives.
Currently, West Middle/High School is focusing on academic writing that supports the content areas. It is expected that students will write in all classes to reinforce their learning. West Middle/High School believes in the best teaching practices of Sean Cain's "The Fundamental Five", which includes a focus on writing critically.
Write Critically (from "The Fundamental Five"):
- Purposeful and intentional writing;
- Writing for the purpose of clarifying, organizing, defending, refuting, analyzing, dissecting, connecting, and/or expanding on ideas or concepts;
- Process not an end product;
- Examples: short list, summary, mind map, purposeful note taking, exit ticket, formal essay, etc.; and
- Intent to distill abstract thoughts into concrete understandings.