Renton School District Recognized For Preparing Students For IT Jobs

High school students in the Renton School District are learning more about technology, and are more proficient at using programs in the Microsoft Operating Systems, than other students in the state. That announcement was made recently by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn, who singled out high schools in the district as being trailblazers in the use of the newly-established Microsoft IT Academy.

In September, Microsoft and Washington state launched a public-private partnership to deploy the Academy, which provides students with future-ready technology skills needed to be successful in college and career. Each of the state’s 703 high schools was presented the Academy program, the largest implementation of its kind in the country.

The program provides students with equal access to technology, training skills and certification in using Microsoft programs.

HOW RENTON STUDENTS AND TEACHERS USE THE PROGRAM

This fall, high school teachers in the Renton School District began developing curriculum to support the Microsoft Operating System certification process, combining district curriculum with Microsoft’s program to provide students with project-based activities and performance-based testing. In just a few months, hundreds of district high school students have become proficient

in the use of the programs and are passing Microsoft certification exams, a skill that is internationally recognized and boosts Renton students’ employability and competiveness in the global workforce. Teachers expect to double the number of students passing certification exams in the spring semester.

PREPARING STUDENTS FOR THE FUTURE

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, by 2018 there will be more than 1.2 million jobs available in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) related fields. The Microsoft IT Academy prepares students for a number of careers or for higher education and provides a technical path for students interested in pursuing an IT career, such as database administration or software development. The program also strengthens Washington’s position as a technology hub and attracts top companies to the state’s pool of technology talent. Industry players like Amazon, Boeing, Expedia, Costco, Starbucks and hundreds of small and medium-sized companies across Washington value and hire those who are Microsoft certified.

*Editor's Note: Information Provided by the Renton School District.