Val Tech Coord. (Period 1)

 

Val Tech is a dynamic technology program that allows students to select an educational path that will enable them to meet their long-term academic or career goals. Depending on their choice of classes, students can graduate with a Val Tech Certificate as well as a high-school diploma geared for admission either to any top-level four-year university (i.e., University of California) or to a California State University. Students can also select classes that prepare them for a career in technology immediately upon their graduation from high school.

Val Tech is designed for highly motivated, academically talented students who value an opportunity to begin preparing now for a rewarding career in technology in the field of the arts, communication, business, computer science, science, or engineering.

Designed for students who have a special interest in and aptitude for technology, Val Tech encourages academic excellence as it prepares students for their future career in the highly technological 21st century.

This booklet is designed to answer some of the frequently asked questions about Val Tech. If you have other questions or would like to speak to someone about the program, please contact one of the people listed on page 25.

Why should students enter the Val Tech Program?

• To earn a Tech Diploma

• To acquire high-level technology skills

• To prepare for college and university technology courses

• To prepare for a specialized technology certificate program

• To satisfy their interest in and to further develop their aptitude for technology

What are the Val Tech entrance requirements?

• A grade of B or better in Algebra 1 (quarters 1 and 2)

• For 1st and 2nd quarters a grade of B in GATE or Honors Language Arts OR grade of A in regular Language Arts INCLUDING English/Language Arts CST scores at or above 370

• Two letters of recommendation from middle-school core teachers

What are Val Tech’s established pathways?

Val Tech has established pathways in the following areas:

• Arts & Communication

• Business

• Science & Technology (Engineering)

Two hundred forty (240) credits are needed to graduate with a Val Tech diploma; a minimum of 50 credits must be in technology classes from the prescribed pathways. Those 50 credits must include an internship. Students can schedule this 150-hour, ten-credit internship during the summer between their junior and senior years or during their senior year (within or outside the traditional school day). The internship will culminate in a research project, a reflective essay, and an oral presentation before an interview panel comprised of PYLUSD personnel and community members. To be eligible for a tech diploma, the Val Tech student must also construct an electronic portfolio and present this to the interview panel.

Every Val Tech student must meet all district graduation requirements. As previously mentioned, students pursuing a tech diploma can also fulfill both University of California and California State University entrance requirements. The Class of 2006 was the first group of Valencia students eligible for a tech diploma.