Standard 1

Standard 1 - School/program provides equitable opportunities for students to engage in high quality STEAM learning.

 All students at Warren T. Jackson Elementary are provided equal opportunity to participate in high quality STEAM learning. Our school provides equitable opportunities for students to engage in daily STEAM-based rigor through our units of study, project-based learning, and after school opportunities. As an inclusive school, we strive for all our students to receive daily STEAM instruction. During our extended inquiry block, all students (with proper support) participate to receive differentiated instruction on our current project-based learning unit. This includes students with disabilities or English language learners who typically might receive their instruction outside of the classroom.  

To support our ability to provide high quality, critical thinking STEAM education in the classroom, all of our teachers have their Georgia gifted and talented endorsement. In 2017, we started the journey to certify our teaching staff (grade-level, connections, and support teachers) as gifted and talented endorsed teachers. As a school, we place value on providing all of our students high-quality enriched transdisciplinary learning.

During the COVID virtual learning, our students have had the opportunity to have normalcy in their lives through STEAM experiences. We have been able to continue to offer virtual STEAM learning experiences and lessons to all students. During Asynchronous Wednesdays, we implemented STEAM Wednesdays where all students were able to come into school to participate in socially-distanced STEAM inquiry to further their virtual learning. Hands-on, STEAM investigations were able to be continued for all students.  

Through our focus on providing equitable opportunities for all students, we are able to provide all students with hands-on, standards-based inquiry. During the summer, we host the Atlanta Public School’s Power Up STEAM program for our cluster. We recognize that this learning support structure and belief is the best to prepare our students for their future careers and to be  proactive in their own learning.