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Community Corner

CALSA/JASON Partnership to Bring STEM Opportunities to Millions of Students

SAN JOSE, California – Students throughout California will have new access to innovative and successful science, technology, engineering and mathematics curricula thanks to a cooperative agreement between the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators and JASON Learning.

Announced at CALSA’s 13th Annual Summer Institute, entitled “STEAMing Towards Imagination in a Digital Age,” the partnership will make JASON Learning’s in- and –out-of-school programs, online materials, and interactions with real scientists available to the state’s 6.2 million K-12 students.

JASON Learning, founded 25 years ago by the discoverer of the RMS Titanic, famed oceanographer Dr. Robert Ballard, will work directly with districts represented by CALSA membership, which includes superintendents and other central office administrators, as well as school principals.  A non-profit educational organization, JASON Learning is eager to spread the success of its STEM programs to the broadest possible reach of students.

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“JASON Learning is showing remarkable results in engaging and educating children in subjects needed for the future,” said Dr. Eleanor Smalley, executive vice president and chief operating officer. “California’s students bring with them a rich mixture of cultural and economic diversity, family backgrounds, and urban and rural environments. We look forward to inspiring their interest and achievement in STEM, and hopefully look to these subjects as springboards to a potential career.”

“CALSA is proud to enter into a partnership with JASON Learning,” said Dr. David Gomez, CALSA Executive Director. “JASON is an outstanding program that connects and motivates students to study and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math.  I strongly believe that the JASON learning approach will have a very positive effect on our Latino students wanting to pursue STEM careers."

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“Jason's highly motivating and realistic science modules will place our Latino students in an exciting real-world situations, inside the classroom and out, to real science and scientists through technology and an inquiring-based curricula,” Dr. Gomez added. “STEM education is a critical component to increase careers for our Latino students and enhance our nation's economic growth." 

CALSA advocates for Latino and all children in the California public school system. It works to prepare educational leaders for the great responsibility of teaching the state’s children and giving them a brighter future. It also reaches out internationally to understand, aid and benefit from the experiences of school systems in many countries.

The CALSA/JASON Learning partnership will be rolled out during the coming school year.

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JASON Learning is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization managed by Sea Research Foundation, Inc., in partnership with the National Geographic Society. Named for the mythological Greek explorer, JASON is a nationally acclaimed, exploration-based program that links students — inside the classroom and out — to real science and scientists through technology intensive, inquiry-based curricular experiences. Learn more at jason.org.

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The California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit professional association that advocates for the continued development and placement of Latino educational leaders who are committed to quality public education.

Mission

The California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA) is a community of diverse educational leaders skilled in addressing the needs of Latino/a students and dedicated to increasing the number of highly effective Latino/a administrators.

CALSA Goals:

  • Provide leadership in school administration and instructional capacity.
  • Work cooperatively with other state and national administrative organizations to promote and advocate for quality public education.
  • Provide mentoring opportunities for aspiring Latino educators.
  • Provide networking opportunities for all members of the Association.
  • Provide professional assistance to community groups, boards of education, and other leaders in, or related to, the field of education.
  • Initiate research and provide data necessary to develop educational programs, which meet the educational needs of the community served by the membership.
  • To serve as a source of information for employment opportunities in school administration.
  • To provide members opportunities for professional growth activities.
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