Ehrlich on Washington column, May 19, 2002

1407 York Rood, Suit* 304 Luthwvill*, Morylond 2 1 093 NEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 315 Cannon Houi* Office Building Wellington, D.C 20515 J EHRLICH ON WASHINGTON By Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Week of May 19, 2002 Eastern Tech: An Education in Success When I visit Eastern Tech High School in Baltimore County, the first thing to catch my eye is the 1999 National Blue Ribbon School Award draped proudly above the school’s entrance. Eastern Tech, under the guidance of Principal Bob Kemmery, has earned dozens of honors like the Blue Ribbon, which was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. Besides the Blue Ribbon, Eastern Tech has earned the New American School Award, and the Maryland State Department of Education’s 2000 Award for Excellence. In addition, it was featured as a National Model Program to Improve Achievement, and named one of the area’s top high schools by Baltimore Magazine. The honors are continually bestowed upon Eastern Tech, year after year, from both state and national organizations. What makes Eastern Tech an annual success story? First, the school is unique from other Baltimore County high schools in that curriculum focuses equally on the skills needed for the work force and on academic preparation needed for the college classroom. Career major areas range from Social Studies and English to Automotive Service Technology and Construction Management. Second, students benefit from a novel joint venture between the school and business community leaders, such as Verizon and Lockheed Martin, who lend financial support to a number of education programs. In addition, local organizations ranging from the Baltimore Orioles to the Avenue Newspaper Group provide job shadowing and internship opportunities for students. These partnerships offer unique opportunities for students to gain real world experience at a remarkably young age. As a result, one half of the school’s graduates join the workforce soon after graduation, yet nearly as many head off to colleges like the University of Maryland and the U.S. Naval Academy. The drop-out rate at Eastern Tech is a remarkable one percent.