High Tech Learning Centers
 Located in each of the seven WaNIC school districts, the High Tech Learning Centers (HTLCs) deliver state-of-the-art Information Technology (IT) education to high school students that leads to industry certification and/or accelerated placement in higher education, creating a skilled IT workforce in the most productive way. By building a college transcript in high school, the HTLCs not only increase the supply of high-tech students, they also reduce the time and expense of achieving a post-secondary Information technology (IT) certificate or degree. Over 10,000 students have taken HTLCs classes and many more are registered to take advantage of the wide variety of high tech class offerings in the areas of Programming, Networking, Animation, Web Authoring, and Multimedia. In addition to face-to-face courses, students also have access to 4 cutting-edge Distance Learning courses.
Benefits to the Students
- Learning that prepares students for high wage - high demand careers
- Supports the basic skills reform goals of the state, implements reform Goals three and four and provides student options following the Certificate of Mastery
- Articulation that prepares students for post-secondary education and reduces time and cost to obtain advanced degrees
- A learning environment appropriate for secondary students with teacher facilitation using “state of the art” technology
- Availability of classes regardless of student location, distance, or economic situation (flexible hours, summer study, and available for home school students)
- Curriculum that supports visual/kinesthetic students
Benefits to the education infrastructure and programs
- Teachers are trained and certified in new technologies, and facilitation skills for distance learning
- Buildings have current technologies and network facilities
- Districts can reduce costs by sharing curriculum and resources (teachers, facilities, and equipment)
- Curriculum development costs can be reduced by partnering with industry and post secondary institutions
Benefits to Business
- Well qualified and certified employees to fill the existing shortage of employees
- Reduced business costs for recruiting and training
- Familiarity with the products and services being provided by Washington businesses
- Positive public relations and image associated with preparing students for employment
Benefits to Post-Secondary Institutions
- Increased supply of focused, motivated students for post secondary education
- Students enter with advanced skills, ready for higher level classes, with higher retention rates
- Reduced load on strained resources for introductory courses, and increased enrollment in advanced courses
- Expands facility and equipment utilization, through flexible hours and resource sharing
Benefits to State and Local Government (tax payers)
- Increased revenue, through more employment and increased growth of the high tech industry currently constrained through lack of adequate resources
- Reduced unemployment, especially for the students who do not go on to post secondary education
- Reduced overall cost of education through industry sharing and curriculum integration of K-12 and post-secondary institutions
|
