Started, in part, by San Diego's high-tech industry leaders looking for a solution to labor shortages, High Tech High operates as a charter school. But this school has several advantages that may make it hard to emulate. The involvement of the business community has provided the school with a very solid base of funding. Another difference about High Tech High is that students do not attend traditional classes. Despite the name, technology is not the focus of instruction at High Tech High.
Students work on projects based on a theme set at the beginning of the school year.
This year's theme is the history and power of human communication. There are no technology courses, per se. Instead, computers, math, science and engineering are all deeply integrated in the school curriculum. Post-Election Lame Duck Session President Clinton signed a measure on November 4th funding the government through Nov. 14, when Congress will reconvene to complete the overdue federal budget. The House of Representatives approved the measure on Friday, joining the Senate in formally agreeing to put off their budget battles until the rare lame-duck session.