MEDIA ADVISORY
June 7, 2011
CONTACT: DeLaina Tonks, (801) 725.3396,
Open High School of Utah Wins Best of State Award for Curriculum Development – Building Customized Courses from the Ground Up
SALT LAKE CITY – The Open High School of Utah, a full-service virtual high school, was selected as the eSchool of the Month by eSchoolNews magazine. The purpose of the award is to recognize the hard work that has helped Open High School of Utah become a model for others seeking to more effectively integrate technology into every aspect of the educational and administrative process.
The award is based on how well schools meet the hallmarks of integrating technology into their overall school model, which includes effectively using technology each day in administration and instruction; students and staff all incorporating technology, teacher training in technology, using technology to gather data and then using the data to inform instruction, using technology to improve efficiency, and utilizing Web 2.0 and social networking tools.
The Open High School of Utah leverages technology’s promise to improve education and results indicate their approach is effective; with state test scores that soar ten points above the state average in English and Science, and a passing rate of 80% overall for 2010-2011.
Educators have a responsibility to prepare students to compete not only with the kid next door, but the kid across the globe in China and the kid in Germany as well. As such, teachers can’t be content to use only the technology they learned in college to teach today’s next generation learners; they must be perpetual learners themselves and prepare to incorporate emerging technologies or “the next best thing” on a regular basis. Staying on top of 21st century, cutting-edge technology is just one way Open High School teachers equip students with the tools they need to succeed in a global marketplace as they put the focus where it should be – on the student.
*******
The Open High School of Utah invites you to learn more about their teaching model and curriculum at www.openhighschool.org and by watching this brief video clip, courtesy of OpenSource.com.
The Open High School of Utah is putting the focus where it should be – on the student. Our mission is to facilitate lifelong success by meeting the needs of the 21st century learner through individualized, student-centered instruction, innovative technology, service learning, and personal responsibility.
###