Model program: West Springfield High School, Virginia.

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West Springfield High School sits on the outskirts of Washington, D.C., in Fairfax County, Virginia. WSHS is home to a thriving and growing technology education program. In recent years, the program has exploded from less than 175 students to well over 425. These numbers are expected to continue to grow in the foreseeable future. In 2002, the program offered seven courses. For the 2007-08 school year, there are 12 full-year technology education courses being offered in four branches, with more to come in the near future. The teachers are working to incorporate a course in biorelated and medical technology in the 2008-09 school year.

The goal of these classes is to, "assist students in applying technology to their needs and in making intelligent judgments about problems associated with technology." The department has also grown from one teacher as recently as 2001 to two teachers and classrooms in 2002 to three of each in 2005 in order to accommodate the high demand for these classes. The teachers providing this education to the students are Scott Settar, Charlie Scudder, and J.T. Alukonis.

While four branches of technology education are addressed, teachers show students how they all intertwine. The technology education teachers at WSHS work together to ensure that the curriculum is continually evolving and meeting the needs of the student population that it represents. Students are often involved in projects that are cross-curricular in nature and allow them to view a problem from different perspectives. For its innovative cross-curricular approach, enthusiastic teachers, and high rate of growth, the program was awarded the Virginia Technology Education Association High School Program of the Year in 2005 and an International Technology Education Association Program…