[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 16, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1282]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                            RECOGNIZING CART

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 16, 1999

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognized the Center 
for Advanced Research and Technology (CART) for their efforts in 
developing a new model for high school education. CART is a joint 
project of the Fresno and Clovis Unified School Districts in 
California.
  CART is a collaborative effort between these diverse school districts 
to develop a new model for high school education. Fresno Unified shares 
the challenges of urban districts, poverty, gang violence and 
diversity. Clovis Unified is an affluent district, serving a student 
population that is college bound. By creating the Center For Advanced 
Research and Technology the Fresno and Clovis school districts are 
committed to changing the way high school curriculum is designed and 
delivered.
  In the wake of tragedies at Columbine High School in Denver, and 
Heritage High School in Conyers, GA, our entire nation has focused 
their energy on determining why these tragedies occurred. We must look 
at our nation's high schools. High schools persist in organizing 
instruction subject by subject with little effort to integrate 
knowledge to fit a precise time frame. High school graduates must be 
better prepared to compete for jobs, ready to move on to higher 
education and able to function in an increasingly technological 
society. High school education must be restructured to meet the present 
and future needs of students. Students need and require more and 
different instruction in science, mathematics and English, coupled with 
the emerging tools of technology.
  The Fresno and Clovis school districts are addressing the need to 
revamp our nation's high schools. These districts have resolved to 
commit the resources, share the decision-making, and leverage the 
assets of both communities to fundamentally change the way the high 
school curriculum is designed and delivered. The goal is to restructure 
the high school experience in a way that will contribute to the 
academic success and ultimately the success in life of all students.
  CART is moving forward as they celebrate a groundbreaking ceremony 
for this project in Fresno. The Center for Advanced Research and 
Technology represents the nation's largest, most comprehensive high 
school reform effort to date. CART is focused specifically on the high 
school program for eleventh and twelfth grade students. The Fresno and 
Clovis school districts are partnering with business and industry to 
create a real-world, real work environment.
  CART's long-term, community-based projects will engaged students in 
complex, real world issues that have meaning to the students and to the 
participating community partners. Through these projects, students 
achieve simultaneous outcomes by acquiring essential academic 
knowledge, practicing essential skills, and developing essential 
values.
  A major component of the CART vision is active partnerships with 
business and industry, and higher education. Leaders from business and 
industry are involved with CART at all levels providing leadership and 
fiscal support, consulting on instructional design, and collaborating 
as instructors and mentors.
  Mr. Speaker, the Center for Advanced Research and Technology 
represents a commitment from the Fresno and Clovis School Districts, 
the business and education community, parents and students to 
restructure a high school to provide real world academic and business 
centered programs designed to contribute to the academic success and 
ultimately the success in life of all students. I urge my colleagues to 
wish CART continued success in their effort toward better education.

                          ____________________