Thomas Gaudreau On Educational Innovation in Pittsburgh

As the nation's leader in the number of bridges, Pittsburgh is one of the many metropolitan areas worth visiting. And although it offers countless attractions, the Steel City has quite a reputation in many other sectors. One of those pertains to education. Take Pittsburgh Public Schools district, per se. With a funding budget of more than $625 million, it employs nearly 2,000 teachers and enrolls almost 25,000 students. Given the aforementioned budget, however, one must wonder where all the resources are allocated to. Well, a good part of the funding goes towards innovation.

Resources

Pittsburgh has a long history of innovative ventures that include everything from cancer diagnostics to robots. Naturally, education here is often impacted by the never-ending inventions that help students and professors. So, the first thing that is notably affected by innovation are the resources.

This includes everything from tiny devices that may be used in schools to actual networks that connect educational districts. Consider the following examples to better understand the concept.

The Technology

Some of the most obvious tools that help distinguish Pittsburgh's innovation are the assets that students have available. This includes things like state-of-the-art computers, self-service printers, laboratories, and much more. Courtesy of all the gadgets that the students have at their disposal, they fully enjoy the benefits of modern education.

Distance Learning Opportunities

According to a career-long educator, Thomas Gaudreau, who currently resides in Rockford, Illinois, the necessity for online classes will increase in the future. This is because of the extremely high number of people who have become technically literate and rely on computers daily. Not to mention how the efficiency of online studies done at home can improve one's time management.

Well, Pittsburgh is one of the many cities where distance-based learning is already enabled. Think about the popular University of Pittsburgh that has been in existence for more than 200 years. Not only does it let students take online classes, it provides ways to earn degrees and certificates without coming to campus. Instead, advanced methods of communication and lecture delivery are utilized. Thus, the integration of technology and schooling in Pittsburgh has given rise to many distance learning possibilities.

Improvements for the Educators

The fact that many teachers around the United States are underpaid is no secret. In Pittsburgh, however, recent changes may affect the salaries and working conditions for these professionals. This is because of the latest compromise between districts and unions in this region that will promote better pay. As a consequence, educators are expected to earn more in the long-run by providing their services to students.

Staff Development

Although better working conditions are important, educators in Pittsburgh also undergo constant development. Given the number of resources that they must know how to handle, they often learn just as much as they teach. For those unfamiliar, this includes things like online platforms where textbooks may be hosted. Thus, another important selling point for Pittsburgh-based educational facilities as potential employers revolves around personal growth.

Improved Graduation Rates

The effectiveness of schools is often measured by the graduation rates. According to Thomas Gaudreau, a former principal, assistant superintendent, and educator, this is because educational facilities carry the responsibility of building people capable of graduating. Well, Pittsburgh has made many improvements in this area over the years. From 2012 to 2015, for instance, the rate of those who graduated high school and middle school increased by four percent.

Additionally, as many as 60 percent of graduating seniors attained a GPA above 2.5. These figures are important when establishing a long-term growth curve that showcases student improvements in the city. If these changes were to continue on the same pattern, Pittsburgh may soon become the leader in the field of students' success.

Expansions

Ultimately, a great indicator that Pittsburgh's school systems are improving is the constant expansion. This includes everything from a recent bump in funding to personal donations that allow districts to build more facilities. Additionally, districts like Langley K-8 are implementing student aid programs. Their goal is to make it possible for everyone to obtain clothes, supplies, or food. In translation, both the professor and the student body are witnessing positive changes that facilitate better education.