Two New Schools Being Developed

By Dr. Donald C. Cannan
Director, Lewiston Regional Technical Center

Starting with the Class of 2007, Lewiston High School students will have an opportunity to enroll in one of two new schools.

The School of Engineering Technology and The School of Health Science will provide students with a rigorous academic program that will prepare them for engineering careers or health careers requiring post secondary education at a college university, community college, or technical school.

The School of Engineering Technology, in partnership with the National Alliance for Pre-Engineering Programs, will offer a rich, rigorous curriculum modeled after "Project Lead the Way, Inc." This is a national curriculum and has been developed around the "best practices" promoting pre-engineering courses for high school students. With the help of engineering consultants and advice from both industry and staff from higher education institutions, the curriculum exposes students to the rigor and content necessary for college and workplace skills required by engineering and technology demands.

Advantages of the School of Health Science include rigorous preparation for college, relating core academics to health care/science topics, and integrated "hands-on" learning experiences that enable students to preview their chosen career. The U.S. Bureau of Labor has identified eight of today's ten fastest growing careers as being in health science. This industry is presently suffering from a shortage of qualified professionals. This translates into a rewarding and secure employment for students interested in health care. Some of these career opportunities are medicine, physical therapy, nursing, radiology, dental medicine, and veterinary medicine.

Some of the "best practices" of both schools:

• a group of students together with the same team of teachers for three years in a high supportive, high achieving environment;
• curriculum that organizes instruction around health & science themes or engineering topics;
• supports the requirements for college entrance while acquiring practical, work related knowledge and skills;
• collaborative effort in partnership with post secondary education, local industry, and with community programs . . . nationally recognized curriculum;
• subscribes to comprehensive learning experiences that will have "rigor, relevance, and relationships to learning" . . . multidisciplinary approaches;
• based on research of "best practices," these schools will be designed to give Lewiston students the "best" educational experience for preparation to college and for the world of work;
• Advanced Placement courses will be offered in both schools free of charge.
• collaborative efforts with the University of Maine System, The Maine Community College System, local industry and community programs are on-going;

Both schools will offer a wonderful opportunity for Lewiston students. Stay tuned!

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