Beta
The BETA (Mesa) Partnership
The BETA Partnership with Mesa Public Schools (East Valley) builds upon the successes and important lessons learned in establishing the first ALPHA Partnership with schools in the West Valley. This collaboration augments strong previous relationships with Mesa and expands upon established University involvement in the areas of Masters' programs, student teacher placements, and professional development support programs such as those developed by the Center for Research in Education in Science, Math, Engineering, and Technology (CRESMET) as well as high school programs such as the Mesa Early College Academy.
The Mesa Early College Academy (MECA) is a partnership between Arizona State University's Polytechnic Campus and Mesa Public Schools to offer Mesa high school students interested in engineering a chance to experience it firsthand at the college level. As part of a student's regular school day, these high school students are enrolled in a Mesa Early College Academy (MECA) engineering class at ASU's Polytechnic campus. Engineering 101, the most recent addition to the menu of courses available, was added based on the recommendation of Chell Roberts, ASU chair and professor in the College of Science and Technology's Department of Engineering.
In planning for additional services to Mesa Public Schools through the BETA Partnership, discussions with superintendent Debra Duvall have yielded identification of target schools where there is greatest need. Next steps are to assess the specific needs of targeted schools and to hold a stakeholders' planning session where we will determine a plan, including priorities, strategies, and measurements. The University intends to continue to combine the support of both Tempe and Polytechnic campuses in order to accelerate the pace of implementation.
Another ASU/MESA Public Schools Partnership offers English language arts resources developed jointly with public school educators, spearheaded by Professor of the Year James Blasingame, Jr. Learn more