Aviation High in Des Moines is one of three schools in the state that will offer guidance on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) instruction, Rep. Tina Orwall and State Superintendent Randy Dorn announced recently.

The announcement was made as part of the state's ongoing efforts to ensure that K-12 students are prepared to succeed in the 21st century economy. In 2010, Orwall sponsored, and the Legislature passed, House Bill 2621. The law calls for the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to designate up to three schools to serve as "lighthouses" offering technical assistance and advice on best practices in STEM instruction.

Aviation will use a project-based learning environment with an aviation and aeronautics theme. The school is administered by the Highline School District and is tempororarily housed at the Olympic site in Des Moines. Plans are underway to construct a permanent site across from Tukwila's Museum of Flight.
Other schools chosen for the pilot project are Mead High in Spokane and Komachin Middle in Lacey.

"STEM education is effective in helping a wide range of students excel in math and sciences in preparation for college, and provides them with the skills to compete for high-tech job opportunities," said Orwall, a Des Moines Democrat. "My hope is that these three schools mark the starting point to expanding these best practices to all our schools."

Criteria used to determine the lighthouse schools included whether their models are increasing achievement; how the instruction mirrors the world beyond the classroom; involvement of under-represented populations; and involvement of business, industry, community, parents and post-secondary practitioners.

In a report to the Legislature in December, a workgroup concluded that Washington is not fully prepared to offer students the opportunities they require for success and that the state needs more adequately prepared mathematics and science teachers.

The report also found that only 43 percent of Washington's 4th graders and 39 percent of 8th graders scored proficient or above on the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress, and only 29 percent and 33 percent, respectively, scored that well in science.

"On the one hand we're proud that Washington ranks fourth in the country in technology-based corporations but, on the other, we must face the fact that we rank 46th in participation in science and engineering graduate degree programs," Orwall said. "The only way we're going to fill the family-wage jobs that Washington employers are offering is by engaging students to the point where they have the ability to create, design, innovate and think critically. STEM education is a very solid step in that direction."