Department of Defense Education Activity visit showcases powerful learning in CyberSTEAM programs
In October, representatives from the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) visited several Newport News schools and classrooms to see CyberSTEAM in action.
In 2018, the DoDEA awarded Newport News Public Schools (NNPS) a grant to expand CyberSTEAM instruction. This visit allowed the agency to see the results of that funding.
The representatives were impressed. Student and teacher voices were heard, and the student presentations and classroom activities demonstrated clearly how the awarded grant money has catapulted the NNPS CyberSTEAM program.
The delegation witnessed students demonstrating age-appropriate understanding of the engineering design process and applying that knowledge to solve problems as part of the successful lead-teacher structure used in the STEM program.
Enthusiastic student engagement was apparent in classrooms serving a range of age levels from pre-kindergarten to middle school grades.
Newport News on-time graduation rate increases, continues to top state average
Newport News Public Schools’ graduation rate increased to 95.8 percent with the Class of 2022. The school division’s on-time graduation rate increased from 94.5 percent in 2021 and has increased significantly from 72.9 percent in 2008. During the same period, the dropout rate decreased from 12 percent to less than 1 percent (.9 percent) in 2022, according to data posted by the Virginia Department of Education.
The Class of 2022 faced the unexpected closure of schools during its sophomore year, successfully adapted to virtual and hybrid learning in its junior year and persevered to complete their graduation requirements on time in four years.
NNPS’ on-time graduation rate is higher than the state average of 92.1 percent and the NNPS dropout rate is lower than the state average of 5.2 percent. The school division’s overall student completion rate, which includes students who have earned a diploma or a GED in four years, is 97.5 percent.
Graduation rates at Newport News high schools remain high: Achievable Dream maintains a 100 percent graduation rate. Rates increased at all other high schools. Dropout rates remain low at all high schools, well below state average of 5.2 percent.
