Our Programs
From the very beginning, we developed our programs on a model that would ensure our students received the best resources at every stage in their growth. The Technology Education Pipeline provides age-appropriate education that boosts math literacy, technology fluency, critical thinking, problem solving and information synthesis skills.
Our First Success
Technical Teens Internship Program (TTIP) and Higher Ed Bound (HEB) targeted teenagers interested in getting into college directly out of high school. TTIP started in 1997 to provide sophisticated technical and soft skills training for 9th to 12th grade students of color. All TTIP students applied the skills they learned in the program to compete for paid summer internships with local companies like Microsoft, Alaska Airlines, Adaptis, Expedia and Google. Beginning in 2000, HEB offered our teens personalized strategies to help them become academically and financially prepared for higher education.
In 2000, we started the TechStart program to foster the first steps towards success for young students of color in grades K-8. TechStart students learn to use technology tools through projects-based approaches to learning. While working on projects, students learn valuable computer and communication skills, as well as other life skills such as planning, working in groups, fulfilling goals and presenting information to classrooms or groups.
TAF Programs Today
In 2007-2008, TAF completed the first phase of expansion of the TechStart program beyond Seattle to include classes in White Center and Federal Way.
Because of the outstanding success of TTIP and HEB, we felt we should and could do more to provide a rigorous education for more underserved students of color. TAF has folded TTIP and HEB into a new 6th-12th grade public school model called TAF Academy. We developed the model with generous support from the Gates Foundation.
In September 2008, we were excited to launch the first TAF Academy in Federal Way. The mission of this public school is to prepare every student for college and for life by focusing on a rigorous Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) curriculum.
TAF plans to open its second Academy in 2010 and three more Academies will open by 2013.
By the year 2020, TAF Academy will reach 2,500 public school students of color each year, so that they become college-ready for STEM-related fields.
A Foundation for Success
Building a replicable, sustainable model and seeding it across Western Washington and beyond takes resources, vision, execution ability and a place where staff can teach students, train educators and test best educational practices.
In anticipation of our growing programmatic needs, TAF has designed the TAF Community Learning Space, a Gold LEED-certified 22,600 sq. ft. educational hub to be built in the ethnically diverse, underserved White Center neighborhood of Seattle.
Click here to learn more about our capital campaign and how it will form the foundation to our Degrees Matter vision. |
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