Metro Tech High School
An College and Career Magnet School
PHOENIX UNION HIGH SCHOOL
DISTRICT
Kate McDonald, Principal
[email protected]
1900 West Thomas Road
Phoenix, AZ 85003
602-764-8000
Metro Tech High School
Enrollment:
1500 Full-Time, 1012 Dual
Primary Ethnicity:
Hispanic: 94% Anglo 3.1%
Primary Home Language:
Spanish: 83.9% English: 14.9 %
SES:
F/R Lunch Eligibility: 89%
Metro Tech High School
Performing Plus for last six years; “B” School
Attendance Rate: 99.0 %
Annual Dropout Rate: .4%
4-year Graduation Rate: 81.6%
Students with NO Major Discipline violations: 99%
Metro Tech High School
In 2008-09,
Administered the ACT test to all juniors.
MATH
On AIMS, we had 72% of students show proficiency.
On ACT, we had 10% of students meet benchmark.
SCIENCE
On AIMS, we had 21% of students show proficiency.
On ACT, we had less than 1% meet benchmark.
Metro Tech High School
New School-Wide Goals:
1.
Raise rigor of curriculum to college-readiness for ALL
students.
2.
Focus on STEM interest and skills
Metro Tech High School
Goals and Actions:
Raise rigor of curriculum to college and career
readiness for ALL students.
√ Assess all freshmen and sophomores on collegereadiness
(Explore, Plan, and ACT)
√ Align core curriculum to ACT standards
√ Participate in MOWR initiative with Whole School
model
1.
Metro Tech High School
Goals and Actions:
2. Focus on STEM interest and skills
√ Integrate an inter-disciplinary science-related theme
√ Increase opportunities for professional development in
project-based learning
√ Provide models of STEM sustainability projects on
campus
Metro Tech High School
Why Stem?
STEM Education can be a framework
for teaching all subjects. It can
integrate content and cognitive
strategies necessary for academic,
professional and civic involvement.
STEM Methods
Cross curriculum application
 Project based and real world learning
 Authentic assessment of student learning
 Place-based learning applications
 Small, personalized learning communities

STEM Outcomes
Inquisitiveness
 Innovative
 Systems-Thinkers
 Creative
 Problem-Solvers
 Engaged
 Collaborative

Metro Tech High School
In 2008-09, we applied for a grant from
Science Foundation of Arizona.
In October 2009, we were awarded a
two-year grant for $900,000.00
Metro Tech High School
Project Goals
The goals for our Math and Science Achievement
Grant include the following:
1. Integrate the use of project-based learning (PBL)
in core subjects and CTE programs
2. Increase math and science achievement and
interest in STEM-related careers
3. Implement models of sustainability on the
campus and in the community
Metro Tech High School
Implementation
1. Integrate the use of project-based
learning (PBL) in core subjects and CTE
programs
√ Staff Development in PBL
o Online (BIE)
o Site Visits (HTH)
o On-Site Training/Support
Metro Tech High School
Implementation
2. Increase achievement and interest in
math and science knowledge, skills, and
related careers
√ Place more students in higher-level math
and science classes
√ Bring more science/math-related CTE
programs to Metro Tech
Metro Tech High School
Implementation
3. Implement models of sustainability on
the campus and in the community
√ Support campus-wide, inter-disciplinary
projects around sustainability
√ Promote classroom PBL around
sustainability
√ Provide opportunities for students to
bring projects into community
Metro Tech High School
Campus, Classroom and Club Projects:
Reduce Disposable Water Bottles
Metro Tech High School
Campus, Classroom and Club Projects:
Capture Rain Water for Garden
Metro Tech High School
Campus, Classroom and Club Projects:
Re-image Dining Area in Culinary Arts
Metro Tech High School
Campus, Classroom and Club Projects:
Campus Orchard
Metro Tech High School
Campus, Classroom and Club Projects:
Expand Campus Garden
Metro Tech High School
Campus, Classroom and Club Projects:
Construct Solar-Powered Shade Structure
Metro Tech High School
Campus, Classroom and Club Projects:
Riparian Area
Metro Tech High School
RESULTS:
Increased interest in STEM
Number of students in high level math courses:
2008-09
-211
2011-12
-302
40% Increase
Number of students in high level science courses:
2008-09
-148
2011-12
-358
142% increase
Metro Tech High School
RESULTS: Increased interest in STEM
Added additional science and math courses:
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Statistics
Environmental Science
AP Calculus
CTE Engineering Program
Metro Tech High School
AIMS Data: Spring 2011
Reading
State
77%
PUHSD
65%
Metro
79%
Writing
State
67%
PUHSD
51%
Metro
64%
Math
State
PUHSD
Metro
60%
46%
66%
Metro Tech High School
RESULTS: Increased Skills in STEM
ACT RESULTS: Percent of Juniors Meeting Benchmark
Class of
Science
Math
2010
1
10
2011
1
14
2012
5
24
Metro Tech High School
New and Renewed Directions:
∎ Implementation of ACT QC (Move On
When Ready) Initiative
• School-wide for 2012-13
∎ Shifting Emphasis to Green
Technologies in CTE programs
• Revising Construction Tech
∎ Integrating More STEM-related CTE
Programs
• Added Engineering CTE program
Metro Tech High School
Challenges:
∎ Continue to Increase Skills and Interest in
STEM
∎ Commitment to PBL in Academic Classes
∎ Integration of Sustainability in all Classes
∎ Partnerships with Community--Business,
Political, Civic, and Neighborhood Leaders
It takes a village to produce a STEM scholar.