Professional development at this site benefited from a state waiver allowing a shortened school day once a week for training. One team member left to assume an assistant principalship, and the science teacher hosting the Discovery Center joined the team. The Road Ahead paid for all Alvarado students to participate in a three-day program at the Lawrence Hall of Science during Earth Week 1997. Goals Students improve writing and science skills. Computer Academy provides extended technology learning for girls.
Parents become actively involved in their children's learning.
Teachers develop expertise in the use of technology. Students increased their awareness of the role of experimentation and observation in science, but did not yet appreciate the role of computer in providing information. Other changes noted by staff include the development of student experts who help younger children and the increase in hands-on learning in the Discovery Center. During the second year of the program, the girls in the Computer Academy extended their activities to researching and critiquing Web sites and creating a site of their own. Parents were involved with NetDay 1996, and they increased their involvement in Alvarado's annual Science Faire.