" Give yourself part of the credit too, Phobe. You can lead a horse to water...
Glad to hear how well it's going. "

" Sounds like you're doing very well, Phoebe. Congrats! I truly hope that "people who count" read what you have written. By that I mean people like Barbara Nemko, John Glaser, the New Tech administrators (they should know they've received a pat on the back!). Historically, New Tech kids have scored higher on standardized tests than kids at the other high schools. What would be interesting to me is to see how college is going for New Tech graduates compared to Napa or Vintage grads. This is not at all to say that what you've written is wrong, but since it sounds like you might be absolutely right, good sound data would bolster a move toward SC-21. Please keep us posted on your progress. "

" Phoebe,
It's ironic that there are so few responses to this post. Many just don't want to praise a school for the good work it has done. You rubbed their fur the wrong way!
Hurray for the good curriculum at New Tech High and the dedication of its wonderful teachers and administration!!
Bravo!!
We were in Chico the last two days. Had a wonderful breakfast at Sin of Cortez. They have vegetarian offerings. Had dinner last night at Tres Hombres. They have a great vegetarian burrito. Might be an idea when your parents visit.
Wasn't it just too hot this week??? "

" Good to hear that the college prep classes work! How do you think you'll be prepared for 2nd year and upper division classes? I was OK with JC classes with scantrons. But when I transferred to UC, I had a harder time with the bluebook exams, getting what the teacher wanted me to write. "

" Alucawanza - every week is too hot! And, apparently, our air conditioning isn't working properly, but no one's fixed it yet. :( I'm getting used to it, though; I carry a water bottle everywhere and the classrooms are ultra-air conditioned to make up for the heat. I'm living between two extremes - polar classrooms and desert outdoor weather! What were you up in Chico for?

I will definitely keep that in mind for when my parents visit; my boyfriend is also coming up next week to see The Great American Trailer Park Musical that the theatre department is putting on with me, so we might try that too. :)

Just Another Manic Monday - Honestly, I think I'll be okay. I'm taking more classes than most people seem to be at JCs and even at other universities; six, compared to the typical four. So far I've been able to keep on top of things - it seems to be a matter of keeping up with the work and actually going to class (which seems to be challenging for a lot of people!). Upper division classes will probably be okay; the Theatre Arts major front-loads a lot of the classes required for the major since you need them to be qualified to work on department productions, so I feel like I'm getting the building blocks now which will help me with upper division classes. "

" JAMM, what you wrote sounds just so condescending! Phoebe is at a state university and you're saying that you "were okay with JC classes..." - Chico is not a JC (which, by the way, I fully support - JCs are a definite advantage!). Maybe you're saying that the UC is somehow "better" than the CSU system? I'm just not getting your point. Good job, Phoebe and New Tech High!! "

" Sorry, that wasn't my intention, let me clarify! My point was that for me, the SRJC classes were not challenging enough to prepare me for UC classes, based on a short 10 week quarter, to transfer in as Junior and take upper division classes. I went from two years of excelling with A's on scantron tests to hard-earned C's on blue book written tests.

I'm not familiar with Chico or New Tech.
You mentioned group reports and a portfolio. Are you taking scantron tests now or blue book? Do you have a mix of reports and tests? I want to make sure my kids are prepared in high school for college too! Thanks! "

" New Tech's learning model and CHico's are very different; however, I believe many schools, aprticularly universities, are moving more towards a style of teaching similar to New Tech's, which is based on project-based learning and group work.

So far, I've only had one midterm (with another coming up tomorrow, and may I add that I totally aced this one!) which was on a scantron. I've never heard of blue book before; none of my teachers have mentioned it. And actually, as far as assignments go, it's kind of varied - we have quizzes in a lot of my classes that are based on the weekly or bi-weekly reading (but we don't have quizzes every week) and we'll be having a couple of midterms this semester in addition to the final. Class assignments are more along the lines of big final projects and studying for tests than nightly homework assignments the way traditional high schools teach.

If you're looking for a school to really prepare your kids for college, I HIGHLY recommend looking into New Tech High. As colleges step further into the 21st century, they're looking for students who can work in groups, complete projects, and give presentations the way they would in the real world at any type of job. New Tech teaches in a business model which makes it very easy to be successful in college - you can go to www.newtechhigh.org and check it out, and definitely schedule a tour! They're free and student-led so you can get a feel for the New Tech atmosphere. "

" Hi Phoebe!
A blue book test is a test requiring written essay answers to the prof's questions in a blue covered pamplet with lined pages. You buy them at the book store. I went to S.F. State and took a bunch!!
We were in Chico to vist our son and daughter-in-law. She is newly pregnant, and we had fun going shopping for maternity clothes. She graduated from Chico State with a major in English, went further in education in the tri-placement program and has a K-12 credential. She can teach English in Middle School and High School or teach elementary. My son works at Costco. He's the front supervisor and is finishing up at Chico part-time. He is a History major. Went to Napa High. (we're all Democrats!)
The weather will be changing. Chico has wonderful Indian summers. "

" Oh, okay! I haven't heard of one before; none of my teachers have said anything about them so I don't know if I'm just in classes that don't give them, or if they haven't gotten around to talking about them yet.

I hope the weather changes! I can't say I totally dislike the heat, but I'm really ready for some cooler fall weather. "

" Thanks pharper, good to hear about the focus on group projects, that is relevant to the work force, what I'm doing now! When I transferred to UCDavis, the classes were mostly 1 midterm, 1 final, all blue book, write an essay question/answer. Basically, write a paper in class on all the important points the teacher wanted. I'd much rather do the group project, and I'd get more out of it as well in the long run! "

" Exactly why New Tech's learning system has been proven through test scores and student success. :) New Tech teaches the way the world works, rather than in an environment separate from what the workforce and the world actually demands.

I'm told that next semester in one of my classes, the final will be in the form of a group project where we have to create a type of theatre or a set of guidelines about theatre, I'm not sure. Either way we won't be having a formal exam.

I totally recommend New Tech for your kids! Every New Tech kid I know has been having a great time in college because we all feel prepared and at ease doing the work that's asked of us. "