“That’s not something that we’re trying to avoid, we’re actually embracing it. We are supporting our teachers in setting parameters for how to use those tools in schools. We’ve also adopted School AI as a district wide AI platform that’s safe for students to use in appropriate ways,” he maintains CTE AND CAREER READINESS Career, and technical education (CTE) is another growing priority in the district.Through partnerships with Tooele Technical College and Utah State University, students can gain college credits while still in high school. To support career readiness, the district offers pathways in a variety of specialties, including health sciences, engineering and technology, computer science and information technology, with specific courses in engineering, mechanical design, biotechnology, medical forensics, and manufacturing. As for hands-on opportunities, Reutzel says, “Our private industry partners are critical. Those partnerships really provide students the opportunity to get out and get some experience in industry that we are not able to provide in the public sector. So those partners are really important.” While STEM and career-focused education are priorities, TCSD also cultivates a well-rounded student experience through strong arts and athletic programs.The district offers fine arts education from elementary through high school, including choir, band, visual arts, and media arts.“We have all of your traditional stuff,” describes Dr. Ernst. “We teach kids how to throw clay on the pottery wheel. But then also we have computer aided art, and for those kids who are interested in AG mechanics, building trailers and different things like that, we have those programs as well. We have really robust fine arts programs throughout our schools.” SUPPORTING EDUCATORS FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS Key to the district’s mission is ensuring educators have the tools they need to succeed. Ernst imparts, “We have an instructional framework that we want them to follow and we’re working on different aspects of a curriculum model. It will be a common formative assessment in a curriculum that they can get through in a timely manner and is relevant to the student. 7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 04 TOOELE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
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