New H. S. Subject: Filmmaking

High school students are graduating with a skill in Seattle.

Feb 20, 2007

High schools traditionally offer construction, auto mechanics, and graphic design as alternative classes. But, teaching students to make films?

Biology, English Literature, Algebra and Filmmaking. Sounds out of the ordinary but it is happening in Ballard High School in Seattle, WA. This program adds a different twist to "vocational education." Usually, when we hear the words "vocational education" we think of a junior college. But, this high school is a jump ahead. This school is teaching "vocational education" in high school.

On the Cutting Edge

Teacher Matt Lawrence has built his video production program into one of the best in the country says Jessica Blanchard of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Blanchard states that Nathan Hale, Franklin, West Seattle and Sealth high schools have similar courses that fall under CTE (Career and Technical Education).

Lawrence says, "The whole idea that CTE is just for students who aren't going to college -- it's a dated notion." Miami is restructuring their schools to meet student needs by developing career academies. More and more schools want to make high school curriculums relevant to students, decrease drop outs and are willing to make the paradign shift into a new frontier in education. The present format and curriculum for high school was established long ago and is now quite obsolete. Perhaps, it is even an antique. An antique in a world of mind-boggling technology.

Let's face it. Many jobs of the future are coming from 2-year colleges and many are paying better than 4-year college degrees. Each year we witness 4-year college graduates struggling to find jobs for over a year in some fields but 2-year graduates in electronics, plumbing, computer technology, and carpentry are working instantly.

Not Just Fun and Games

Students don't just grab $5000 worth of equipment and begin shooting film. Each project begins with a planning day where students brainstorm ideas and select the next project. Then, students begin writing scripts, conduct interviews, plan filming locations, and get all details coordinated. This problem solving is on the job training. These are skills that are needed in the real world of work.

The Future

Graduates have gained admission to prestigious film colleges and many have gone directly to work in the film industry. Students from Ballard have won regional and national awards. The program has been up and running for five years and students flock to the opportunity. Lawrence said that the students see the real-world application in their other classes when enrolled in CTE. When dropouts state that irrelevance and boredom are some of the reasons they left school, Ballard is keeping students interested in education.

The copyright of the article New H. S. Subject: Filmmaking in Curriculum Issues is owned by Barbara Pytel. Permission to republish New H. S. Subject: Filmmaking in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.