ANDERSON NEW TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL

MEASURABLE PUPIL LEARNING OUTCOMES

Overview: The ANTHS Learning Outcomes describe the knowledge and skills necessary for success beyond high school. Students will need to strengthen these skills to succeed in post secondary education, training or the work place.

1. Citizenship and Ethics

Success is more than academic or financial achievement. The most successful individuals purposely contribute to their community and conscientiously do what they know is right, even when it is not the easiest choice.

Examples of citizenship and ethics include:

• student government — get involved in important school decisions
• service learning — donate time and energy to support a worthy cause
• peer tutoring — help a fellow student understand coursework

2. Career Preparation

Career preparation will require responsibility, self-discipline and time management. Honesty and personal integrity are also expected on any job. In addition, it is important to have a good understanding of career paths and how to find jobs in a chosen field. Students will develop a career plan that describes their goals and plans of action. In order to develop a career plan, students must compile personal information, educational requirements or training and job market information.

Examples of career preparation include:

• positive attitude and perseverance — willingly follow directions, take on tasks and responsibilities, complete a task even when it is difficult
• flexibility and initiative — adapt to change, apply knowledge
• knowledge of r skills — be aware of personal strengths, weaknesses, interests and abilities, and how they relate to specific career areas
• knowledge of career paths — investigate possible careers and entry-level positions with potential for growth
• portfolio preparation – prepare a professional exit portfolio that focuses on your career, vocation, avocation or passion and includes meaningful examples of your work at ANTHS

3. Critical Thinking

There are many ways to solve a problem. Good thinking and problem-solving skills will help contribute to solutions on the job. Employers and colleges will expect employees to be able to think analytically and creatively, use logical reasoning and interpret information. Employees may need to apply skills such as numerical estimation, measurement, calculation, and evaluation to solve problems.

Examples of thinking and problem-solving skills include:

• problem definition — recognize a problem and identify the relevant facts
• organization — identify and gather information needed to solve a problem
• analysis — evaluate and select information, and consider possible solutions to a problem

4. Collaboration

Today’s classrooms and workplaces require that students and employees are able to work as part of a team, to work cooperatively with people of different ages and cultural backgrounds. When working with others it is important to understand how to resolve conflicts, negotiate, share responsibilities, accept supervision and assume leadership roles.

Examples of collaboration include:

• leadership — assign work and inspire co-workers to complete tasks
• following — accept a decision and help meet a goal
• teamwork — use group planning and goal-setting techniques to solve problems

5. Communication (Written, Oral and Visual)

Strong oral and written communication skills are important in school, in the job search, and finally, in most jobs and careers. Students must be able to read and communicate effectively. Effective communication means organizing information, clearly presenting ideas, communicating with the audience in mind and using correct and appropriate grammar, vocabulary, punctuation and spelling in writing and appropriate vocabulary, grammar, speech and body language in oral communication.

Examples of communication skills include:

• composing — write or speak effectively in all disciplines, using appropriate sentence structure and vocabulary
• editing — revise written documents to improve clarity and/or organization of ideas

· knowing the audience — anticipate the previous knowledge of audience and provide the information they will need using personal voice to communicate ideas

· presenting organized information — speak or write clearly to convey ideas to others; introduce information in a logical order

· using audio/visual aids — provide graphics or visuals that enhance a message

· portfolio preparation and presentation — prepare a well organized, professional exit portfolio to present to staff and community members

6. Curricular and Technology Literacy

In addition to the life skills outlined above, the State of California and Anderson New Technology High School have identified key knowledge that students should have when they graduate from high school. Academic coursework was designed to provide the educational foundations that will foster informed perspectives and a level of cultural literacy sufficient for success beyond high school. Professional Portfolios should include evidence of curricular literacy in as many areas as possible.

Examples of curricular literacy skills include:

· succeeding on standardized tests — pass in all areas of the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE), earn a proficient score on California State Test (STAR), earn a “3” or better on Advanced Placement Exams

· subject area exams — earn a passing score on subject area exams

· demonstrating curricular and extra-curricular competence and/or proficiency – science competitions, community service awards, photography contests, CAD Drafting competitions, speech contests, writing contests, Senior Projects, Wetlands work, Roots and Shoots, and others

Many jobs require computer skills, technical knowledge and the ability to learn and adapt to new technologies. Employers expect employees to be able to use technology to complete tasks and to improve job performance.

Examples of technology literacy include:

• typing skills — type 40 WPM
• software skills — proficiency in presentation software, word processing, spreadsheet, database, and animation modules
• multimedia skills — create a project that incorporates text, graphics, sound, and interactivity
• technology communication skills — create web pages and gather information from the Internet and a variety of technological media
• graphing calculators — effective application to problem solving
• GIS equipment — familiarity with use
• portfolio preparation — prepare a professional portfolio that includes use of various design techniques and software programs