MC KINLEY TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL
151 T STREET NE
WASHINGTON, DC 20002
Tel: 202 281-3950 Fax: 202 576-6279
http: //mths.k12.dc.us/

SCHOOL HISTORY
• Opened in 1905.
• Moved to current location in 1928
• Closed in 1997.
• Re-opened as Technology High school in September 2004.
• Interior of building completely renovated at a cost of approx. $50 million.
• Students 98% African-American, 58% female.

CURRICULUM
• Comprehensive, 9th - 12th grade.
• Understanding fields of expression and discovery in society and self.
• Three areas of technology skills woven into academic courses.
• Fine arts, athletics, internships and other developmental opportunities.

SPECIALIZATIONS IN TECHNOLOGY
BIO-TECHNOLOGY
• Atomic theory.
• Organizational structures.
• Interaction and signaling.
• Engineering and design.
• Medical applications.
• Ethical considerations.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
• Representation through digital formatting.
• Encoding of data.
• Transmission and communication.

BROADCAST TECHNOLOGY
• Capture/development of sensory input.
• Psychology of perception.
• Techniques of composition and design.

TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE
• High speed (Gigabit) connection to desktop.
• Wireless 802.11b (WiFi) Bluetooth, GPS.
• Bio-technology RNA/DNA capability.
• Cable TV broadcast facilities with Ch.28.
• Wireless mobile devices for school.


TO LIVE TO LEARN
• A liberal arts education produces the ability to think critically.
• Develop technical ability to use tools to solve problems.
• College and work preparation is NOT a dichotomy.

INSTRUCTION
• No more factory model.
• Hands on.
• Visualization tools.
• Long term projects.
• Online courses.
• Experience and demonstrated competency granting of credit.
• Organize staff and materials around learning, not around Carnegie Units.

ASSESSMENT
• Methods: writing, standardized testing, portfolios.
• Purpose to improve curriculum and instruction.
• Reflection and re-engagement with work.
• Like curriculum, assessment is tied to national standards.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
• Usage after regular school hours.
• Adult Ed. And Continuing Ed.
• A resource for neighborhood groups.

ACHIEVEMENT
• Graduation rate at 98% for class of 2007.
• 95% college acceptance rate.
• NCLB proficiency:
-2005 - 40% pass rate in maths. and reading.
-2006 - 60% pass rate in maths. And reading.
- 2007 - 68% pass rate in maths and reading.
• PSAT, 10% improvement.
• SAT, AP, slow growth.
• High drop out - approx. 10% yearly.

PROJECTS AND PARTNERSHIPS
• Expect production from students with public vetting.
• Promote effort and success.
• Bring in external expertise:
- Carnegie Institute of Washington.
- Video game companies, De Vry University
- Government cable channels.
- Afro-centric community organization
- 'Most wanted' TV program.


WHAT ELSE IS NEEDED - TEACHERS
• Tools and professional development.
-Laptops with applications.
-Time to learn.
• Digital Immersion.
-Email, websites, blogs etc. aimed at professional collaboration.
-Electronic SIS with all administrative tasks (attendance, grades, discipline) included.

WHAT ELSE IS NEEDED - STUDENTS
• Saturday programs.
• Summer employment

WHAT IS UNDONE?
Alignied versions of courses.
Effective collaboration for all.
Closing achievement gap on SAT/ACT.
Limited engagement of parents.
Spreading effective attitudes and practices to other schools.

IN CONCLUSION
Commit to a long term effort.
Hire instructional leader early and let him/her lead.
Accept initial differential costs.
Measure results.
S.T.E.M. ed produces a student that understands causality and engages their world.

CONTACT DETAILS FOR FORMER PRINCIPAL DANIEL GOHL
825 North capital Street NE
Suite 9059
Washington, DC 2002
202-442-5542
[email protected]