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Learning Results

A student paints

What are the results of learning at TVHS?

Content literacy: Students master the content of subjects as required
by New York State. They also understand the interconnections between the
disciplines they study.

Information literacy: Students find, gather and evaluate information from diverse sources, including publications, Web sites, interviews, data, works of art and other media. They also learn to differentiate between reliable and misleading sources.

Technology literacy: Students become technology literate by designing, using and evaluating technology. They integrate technology seamlessly into their learning, and they develop an awareness and understanding of the region's emerging technologies.

Critical thinking: Students develop and use critical- and systems-thinking skills to solve problems. When they are confronted with real-life projects and challenges, they pose questions, understand and apply concepts, and develop solutions

Collaboration: To complete their projects, students collaborate with each other and community partners. They take part in group discussions, support their peers, learn to communicate effectively and demonstrate interpersonal skills. They also make productive contributions to the team and understand and demonstrate respect for peers and community partners,

Innovation: Students generate new ideas when they address "real world" problems, demonstrate the entrepreneurial values of creativity and curiosity, take intellectual risks and are continually adapting.

Communication: Students express ideas and views and communicate with reason and confidence. They present and defend their work orally, graphically and in writing. They exchange ideas and information through effective dialogue with classmates, faculty, parents and community partners.

Citizenship: Students demonstrate an understanding of the interdependent global community and learn cross-cultural skills, including proficiency in non-English languages, awareness of other cultures and experience working with people from diverse backgrounds. They also understand the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, including an ethically based sense of social responsibility. In addition, they understand social, political, economic and environmental context and implications of civic decisions.

Work ethic & self-direction: Students are self-directed lifelong learners, accountable for their choices and responsible for their learning. They set goals and create and implement personal learning plans. In addition, they demonstrate the ability to manage resources, adapt to changing circumstances and make personal choices for the benefit of themselves and others.

The best starting point for learning is with real, genuine issues of importance to students and communities. Active, concrete experience, driven by the "need to know," is the most powerful form of learning. Adolescents learn best when they encounter intriguing topics and people in real-world situations, and when they are faced with genuine challenges, choices and responsibility for their own learning. Thus at the heart of Tech Valley High School's course of study are real, rich and complex problems and issues that involve learning 21st century skills—all wrapped into project-based learning experiences.

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