Page 3 - District Highlight Brochure

a Message from the superintendent

D ear Parents and Community Members, Fall 2016

The Orange Unified School District has launched a variety of innovative
programs in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
and Career Technical Education (CTE) to meet the needs of students to be successful in 21st
century careers and colleges. As a District of Excellence, teachers continue to provide an
exceptional academic program with a balanced instructional design including technology
integration, collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving.

As the OUSD educators design these personalized learning opportunities to ensure all the
students reach their potential and excel in their academic talents, the District is once again
asking the community to consider a school bond to modernize outdated high school
facilities that were built during the 1960’s. Over half a century ago when these schools
were built, what is now referred to as STEM and CTE courses was limited to vocational,
technical and business classes. The OUSD high schools were built to fulfill the curriculum
of the 1960’s, and are not up to date to meet the requirements of modern science labs and
those of the STEM courses that many students are craving to meet their career interests.
Studies by the College Board have indicated that the number of Advanced Placement (AP)
tests in Chemistry have doubled in just 10 years. The technical demands of 21st century
careers and what our students have a passion for is advanced college and CTE courses in
the sciences and engineering in high school.

To respond to the 21st century instructional demands, Orange USD has designed STEM
action labs in each middle school which introduces students to curriculum models in 21st
century careers as identified by Orange County business partners. These include Computer
Aided Drafting (CAD), Digital Manufacturing, Computer Animation, Energy & Power, Flight
Technology, Mechanisms, Robotics, Virtual Architecture and Forensic Science just to name
a few. These modules become courses in High school through the Business Sector CTE
Pathways. At the same time, there is an exponential growth in advanced, academic level
courses in Chemistry and Physics. Many of the high schools offer up to six different AP
courses in the sciences to meet the students’ passion for STEM!

We are pleased to have an expansive STEM program in OUSD and encourage you to visit
the Orange CTE/STEM website at /CTE to learn more about how
we are meeting the college and career needs of all students. Additionally, teachers and
students deserve safe, modern labs and classes to instruct these STEM classes. This “District
Highlights” report is a snapshot of the enriched academic, technical, and co-curricular
activities provided to ensure the success of OUSD students. Stay
up to date on the OUSD quest to provide modern science labs
and 21st century classrooms on our website at www.orangeusd.
org.

Sincerely,
Michael L. Christensen
Superintendent of Schools