SIATech Participates in Senate Hearing on Dropout Crisis;
School Experts Discuss the Success of SIATech's Dropout Recovery Program
LAKESIDE, CA —Oct. 23, 2008—The School for Integrated Academics and Technologies (SIATech®) is proud to announce that the school was recognized at a Senate Hearing on the dropout crisis organized by Senator Tom Torlakson. SIATech was featured as a successful dropout recovery program.
Senator Tom Torlakson, D-Antioch, oversees the Senate Select Committee on Schools and Community. The hearing was entitled "The Pupil Dropout Crisis and Career Technical Education Solutions" and was held at El Capitan High School. Attendees included Assembly Member Mary Salas (pictured at right with SIATech graduate Kenya Ramirez).
SIATech speakers included Associate Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Kristin Mallory, SIATech San Diego Principal Sally Klein, and a special presentation from recent SIATech graduate Kenya Ramirez. SIATech illustrated how the key factors of its program create students who take control of their learning and graduate with the skills and behaviors needed for success in the workplace or further education.
“We will see first-hand how an integrated and relevant curriculum can support pupils’ desire to stay in school,” said Torlakson, a longtime public school teacher and coach.
The hearing also featured presentations from the Department of Education, ConnectED, El Capitan High School's Career Technical Education and Dropout Recovery programs, and input from private industry. Speakers discussed why students leave high school before graduating, and how to keep them in school. The hearing stressed how career technical education programs prepare students for rewarding, well-paying careers.
About SIATech
The School for Integrated Academics and Technologies (SIATech) is an innovative charter high school that re-engages formerly disconnected students through a unique technology-driven curriculum that allows students to complete high school at an accelerated pace in teacher-facilitated, computer-assisted classrooms. SIATech’s mission is to break the cycle of poverty and underachievement for students who have dropped out of the traditional education system. In partnership with the federal Job Corps program and the US Department of Labor, SIATech promotes “Real Learning for Real Life™.”
