In addition to funding critical building upgrades like roofing, HVAC and security camera systems, Measure M dollars will also ensure that existing EGUSD schools can flexibly adapt to the learning needs of the future.
21st Century Learning Environments
In the last 30 years, technology has made it possible to instantly communicate with anyone in the world and find information on any subject. Education is advancing in step with these transformations. Learning is becoming less about acquiring facts and memorizing them. Instead, students now need to comprehend and evaluate information; evaluate and find data that is meaningful and accurate; and process and combine concepts in new and innovative ways. Accordingly, classrooms will focus on more cooperative work and experiential learning, including project-based learning. The facility implications of 21st century learning are far reaching. Over the next decade, learning activities will need more shared spaces, more combined and multi-use spaces, small group working areas, and moveable furniture. Connectivity, such as roll-up door and operable walls will provide the ability to combine spaces as needed. Increased hands-on learning will require dedicated project areas that include tools, materials, technology, sinks, and storage. At a moment’s notice, these spaces can transform from an electronic resource space to a lecture space, to multiple small group work areas, to a large open-gathering or lecture area. Providing 21st century learning environments at existing schools can be more complex and more expensive than planning them at new schools.
Career Technical Education (CTE)
CTE is another education program with specialized facility requirements. Labs and classrooms with career-specific equipment give students hands-on learning opportunities. As these programs grow, facilities built to support their focus will be added. EGUSD’s Linked Learning program incorporates 21st century skills to provide students career academies and pathways. Students can specialize in a number of career fields including public service, business, health, engineering, green energy, agricultural science, auto technology and media. Career academies are small learning communities that encompass a broad-based industry area. These academies promote student/employer engagement through work-based learning experiences and give students the opportunity to earn industry certifications and/or articulate credits to post-secondary education.
Learn more about the transformation of traditional classroom space into a state-of-the-art health lab for students at Rio Cazadero High School. The school’s new phlebotomy lab is one of EGUSD’s first large facilities projects to promote new career pathways and 21st century learning.
For more information about EGUSD CTE Pathway and Career Academies please visit www.EGUSDexplore.com.