The Puyallup School District is helping all students find ways to “get” the fundamental concepts of reading, writing and math through an extensive career and technical education program that weaves math, science and English into its courses, and allows students to apply their new skills in real-world ways. “Students realize the relevance of subjects like reading and math when they actually have to apply those skills in a real-world environment,” said Shelly Calligan, the district’s director of career and technical education. “We work very hard in our career and technical education courses to help students make the connection between the book learning they do and their career goals. When learning fundamental skills is seen as relevant to becoming a pilot or a welder or an architect, students are much more motivated to master those skills.”

For example, the aviation program at Emerald Ridge High School provides a natural vehicle to integrate math, English and science. Physics of Flight, a lab science class, uses aerodynamics and other aviation-related concepts to focus on units such as motion, energy, forces, electricity and optics. Math skills are introduced and developed when students do lab measurements, calculations and problem solving. Students strengthen their writing skills when completing reports and writing formal lab conclusions. Similarly, the Aviation Cad/Cam class integrates core concepts in teaching students hand and computer drafting concepts. Students have to learn industry-specific vocabulary, and effectively apply algebra and geometry skills to understand and operate equipment. In the Introduction to Flight and Aircraft Systems classes, students apply their math, science and English skills every day to successfully plan several cross-country flights.

At Governor John R. Rogers High School, the ACE Academy – a partnership between education and industry – helps provide students with the knowledge, skills and motivation they need to pursue architecture, construction and engineering-related careers. Over the course of this three-year, three-hour block course, students can earn credits in math and English while taking a variety of courses such as architectural design, drafting/AutoCAD, and welding and manufacturing. Integration of core subjects is an ongoing practice. For example, in ACE Math, students might calculate area and volume for cement pours, use algebra skills to create formulas needed for HVAC installation, and calculate floor and parking lot space. Students also are required to read relevant articles that include charts and diagrams in their ACE English and ACE Construction classes, and then answer detailed questions about the articles. The innovation has gone as far as students reading the novel "Of Mice and Men" and then using graph paper and basic drafting tools to create elevations of the main characters’ dream home.

At the junior high level, a digital communications tools class called "Digitools" is a requirement for all Puyallup ninth-grade students. At Stahl Junior High, students spend two to three hours in the Digitools lab each week learning important technology skills that are then integrated with their studies. Every assignment given in Digitools directly integrates with the student’s English and/or World Studies classes. For example, students write persuasive research papers and create business letters, brochures, PowerPoint presentations, and Excel worksheets and charts.