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• Wednesday, June 5, 2013
The Issaquah Press
New law to spread computer science education By Peter Clark pclark@isspress.com A version of a pilot program at Issaquah High School recently passed through the Legislature to be available for the whole state. In a bill drafted and promoted by freshman State Rep. Chad Magendanz, the state has undertaken the commitment to increase the availability of computer science instruction within the schools. In its passed language, the bill states that the Legislature “intends to take additional steps to improve and expand access to computer science education, particularly in advanced courses that could prepare students for careers in the field.” Though it is not as complex as the Technology Education and Literacy in Schools program Magendanz was involved with while he served on the Issaquah school board, he said he is still very excited about his first co-sponsored bill to be signed into law. “I love this bill,” he said with enthusiasm about spreading computer science education throughout Washington. “It passed unanimously through the House. This is one of the more thoughtful science, technology, engineering and mathematics bills I’ve seen. This is a bipartisan bill all the way.” In the spirit of the TEALS program, Magendanz said he hopes to offer ways to bring many specialists that make up the workforce of big technology giants like Microsoft into classrooms. With their skilled knowledge of advanced computer
science, many of those experienced technicians have shown an interest in sharing their time with students. As an almost 20-year software developer for Microsoft, Magendanz said he felt that pull into the classroom. “A lot of these people want to teach these areas. They just don’t have the background,” he said. “I was one of those people.” He was a member of the school board when Microsoft employee Kevin Wang proposed the program and then pulled it together for Issaquah High School to launch in the 2009-2010 school year. In the first year, 12 students enrolled for an “Intro to Computer Science” elective course. It was so successful that the program grew to four schools the following year and drew more than 250 students to enroll. The TEALS program is now under way in 35 schools in seven states with more than 1,500 students taking part. Through direct interaction or telecommunication devices, employees from Microsoft, Google and other high-tech companies work with school districts to build curricula and lead classes. “Within the state of Washington, this is one of the most productive of programs,” Magendanz said. “We should look at a sustainable way to make this a part of basic education.” Though the bill originally contained language that would bring grant opportunities to school districts in Washington, Magendanz said the Ways and Means Committee in the State Senate took it out of the bill
due to budget concerns, in an attempt to reduce government spending. Still, the law dictated that districts would be supported in developing a computer science program. Issaquah School District Director of Career and Counseling Services Dennis Wright said he saw a great deal of potential for the spread of a TEALStype program after the success that he has locally seen. “Kids are seeing the value in this program,” he said. “It’s very rich in technology. I think that TEALS is a valuable enough thing to preserve in that bill.” Wright also pointed out some growing pains that other districts would have to experience. Though most of the specialists came into the classrooms with enthusiasm and patience, it was not always the case. “You never know quite what industry teacher you’re going to get, and every district will have to go through that,” he said about the teachers that offer their time. He also talked about the difficulty in including every interested student. “There’s a limit to how far you can stretch it. You want to make sure that every kid that wants to take it has that opportunity.” Wright spoke favorably about TEALS and the promise it could hold for the rest of the state in growing the modern talent pool for high-demand jobs. “We value this partnership and we want to continue it,” he said of the program they have developed in Issaquah. “I think it’s great if it could go statewide.”
BACKYARD BEAR
BY LORNA CROSWELL
The Croswell family woke up the morning of May 19 to find a black bear cub checking out a shed in the yard of their home on 240th Place Southeast, in the Glenwood neighborhood of Klahanie near Faith United Methodist Church.
Developers deliver proposal for new highlands homes By Peter Clark pclark@isspress.com A proposal to add almost 300 more homes to the Issaquah Highlands is currently under review from the City Development Services Department. After exploring a development agreement with Lakeside Industries and Polygon Homes through last year, the City Council approved an official plan in December. The developers recently delivered the initial proposals for the land, which include outfitting it for 268 stacked, flat rental homes and about 30 townhomes on a 13acre site situated like a campus. The proposal also calls for a number of transportation upgrades due
to the proximity of the site to the busy Highlands Drive Northeast. Changes include a new pedestrian signal for residents to cross to the nearby transit center and a new traffic signal to allow access to the development and future housing. The changes are in line with urban village goals to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment and allow easy passage to the Issaquah Highlands Park & Ride and the Grand Ridge Plaza retail hub. Named the Issaquah Terrace development, it is only the first project in the works for the larger area on both sides of Highlands Drive Northeast, a former quarry. The larger site includes 115 acres, which
will be built out over time by the developers who entered into the agreement with the city. The proposal was essentially in line with what the city planned to receive after the agreement had been struck. “It’s what we expected to see,” Project Oversight Manager Christopher Wright said. “It is in keeping with what they have been talking about to us for a while.” If the city Development Services Department approves the proposal from Lakeside Industries and Polygon Homes, then work is expected to begin this summer with construction to start this fall. The buildings are projected for a summer 2015 completion.