TJ Curriculum Through the Years

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology


TJ Curriculum Through the Years


Original Mission

“To create a high school environment for state-of-the-art instruction and learning experiences designed to enhance the opportunities interested students have in acquiring more specific and advanced skills in and knowledge about selected science and high technology specialties.”


Dedication

“Although science and mathematics are the content areas upon which the school has been planned, language skills and the humanities will be considered equally important.”

Dr. David Sawyer


Initial Planning

• The curriculum was conceived to be grade level dependent.

• The only core area not grade level dependent is mathematics.


Initial Graduation Requirements

The planning committee was tasked to:

• Provide a comprehensive education.

• Included the Advanced Studies diploma.

• Include courses supporting the mission of the school.


Graduation Specifics - Math

• Prerequisite Algebra 1

• 4 additional credits including Calculus


Graduation Specifics – Tech

• Computer Science – one credit

• Technology – two credits* ninth and twelfth grade


Graduation Specifics – Science

• Molecular Biology

• Analytical Chemistry

• Physics

• Geoscience

Plus one credit in Math, Computer Science, or Technology


Graduation Specifics – Humanities

• Four credits of English

• Three credits of Social Studies


Graduation Specifics – FLAMPE

• Three credits of Foreign Language

• Two credits of Health and PE

• One credit of Fine and Practical Arts**


Scheduling

• Eight period day - 7 academic & 1 activity

• 28 credits to be taken over the four years


Elective Opportunities

• Algebra 1 credit prerequisite

- allowed three choices over four years.

• Previous Foreign Language Level 1

- allows for four choices in four years.


Changes over the Years


Changes - Technology

• 1985 Tech 9 - one quarter of keyboarding & three week rotations through the tech labs.

• By 1988, the course deleted the lab rotation and added units in electronics, biotechnology, mechanical drawing etc.

• Keyboarding remained an integral unit through the late ’90’s.


Changes - Blocking

• 1985 - initial blocking in math and science.

- Wednesday one double math class

- Thursday one double science class (or vice versa)

• 1987 - Wednesday/Thursday blocking

• 1989 - IBET

• 1996 - four day blocking


Governor’s School mandate - integrate whenever possible

Previous trials

- English, Government & Geosystems

- Chemistry, Algebra 2/Trig & CS

- Physics and Precalculus

Currently

- English 12- Geosystems

- English12- AP Government

- Humanities 1 & 2


Changes 27th Credit

• 1997 state requires 4th Social Studies credit for the Advanced Studies Diploma

• 2005 enhanced electives program


Changes over the Years-Electives

• Math trials - Probability and Statistics- Mathematical Modeling- Discrete Mathematics- History of Mathematics- Number Theory

• Foreign Language - Chinese (early 90s)

Science trials - Plant Science, Botany & many more


“While the original course offerings were determined by the steering committee, much of the direction of curriculum development and course content has been determined by the passions, skills, and expertise of individual faculty members.”

- Dr. Leslie Keiler


New Courses


Science & Technology

• Organic Chemistry with Instrumental Analysis

• Digital Imagery

• Bio-nanotechnolgy

• Biology of the Arts


Math & Computer Science

• Numerical Analysis • Pre-calculus with Additional Analytic

Geometry Topics


FLAMPE

• Chinese 1


Humanities

• America and the World Since 1989

• Street Law: A Course In Practical Law

• Science, Technology and U.S. Public Policy

• History of Technology


TJ Curriculum Through the Years

Documents

selected science

credits of foreign language

additional credits

credits of health

double science class

language skills

social studies credit

advanced skills