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Local teachers make award finals Two Central Point, two Ashland educators could win state honor By VICKI GUARINO A team of Central Point teachers who have expanded business curriculum to include writing, social studies and math -- and put the entire program on the Internet -- are among finalists for an award honoring innovative educators. Other local finalists for $2,000 Oregon Department of Education prizes are Ashland High School teacher John Tredway, one of the nation's most award-winning speech coaches, and Ashland's Lincoln Elementary School teacher Judith Ann McBride. The award recognizes Oregon teachers' efforts to integrate technology into classrooms. Fifty teachers are semi-finalists. A panel of judges next month will pick 25 winners who will receive $2,000 each. At Crater High School, the business school combines academics with vocational training to build students' interest and prepare them for college and work. "Students get to know why you need to know something," says teacher Todd Bennett. Bennett leads the program with Mike Rogan. The business school program, which gives students high school credit in English, social studies and business, has been put on the Internet. Each of the business school's 44 students has a classroom computer, which becomes the text and program guide for classes. The business program is one of three "schools within a school" at Crater. Crater offers similar schools in social service and ecological studies. The business school was started eight years ago by teacher Bob King, now technology coordinator for the Central Point School District. King nominated Bennett and Rogan for the innovators' prize. Rogan says students use a variety of computer programs for study, research and completion of school projects. The Internet gives instruction real-world immediacy, he says. For instance, in years past, Rogan used a day-old Wall Street Journal for lessons in finance. Now, classes search the Web for up-to-the-minute postings. Course work also includes weekly off-campus internship sessions in local businesses and government agencies. "We're teaching kids at a college level," Rogan says. "It's more realistic to the workplace and to college." Rogan and Bennett spend more time with students than most teachers because of the school structure. Students earn several credits through the business school, so their time in the program stretches over three to four periods a day. "That lets us really get to know the students, to know their strengths and work on their weaknesses," Bennett says. The program has been drawing a mix of college-prep and vocational students, Bennett says. One business school grad has started a local floor-covering company, keeping a couple of employees on the payroll. Another, who opted for a GED instead of a diploma, is a computer network manager in Portland. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA