LearnSTEAM trains formally disengaged youth to construct low-cost housing while completing their diploma or earning a GED. Within this collaborative MakerSpace students practice soft skills necessary for success in the skilled trades.
LearnSTEAM engages youth ages 16 through 20 who are defined as a dropout under ORS 339.505, and not exempt from attending public school under ORS339.030; who are more than 4 credits short of a diploma, or who have not earned a GED, as verified by local school districts. These youth may be referred by any of the following: Department of Human Services, Department of Juvenile Justice, juvenile court judges, Citizens for Safe Schools, Klamath Works, Klamath City (KFCS) or Klamath County school district. Applicant preference is given for students on modified IEPs, ELL students, and those referred by the Klamath Tribes.
When students fall significantly behind in credits, whether in the city or county school district, they are offered an online credit recovery programs through Klamath Learning Center (KLC) or Falcon Heights, respectively. This method has been insufficient to engage many students. For example, in 2019, before the outlier of the pandemic, Klamath Learning Center graduation rate was 25%, and only 8% ofthe those with IEPs graduated with their 2015 incoming cohort, according to the ODE report card. Currently, KFCS has identified over 40 eligible youth.
The facility can accommodate up to 16 students at a time. Students may transition out upon completion of their diploma or GED, allowing new students to enter. Given the exceptional needs of this youth population, the history of turnover, delinquent recidivism, and other unknown variables, the goal is to have at least 16 youth earn their diploma or GED during the 2022 - 2023 school year.
The service area combines the Klamath Tribes, Klamath Falls City School District, and the Klamath County School District. Collaboration with Klamath Works, Citizens for Safe Schools, and the pre-apprenticeship program at Klamath Community College assist in the success of LearnSTEAM toward post secondary education and career training.
On May 16, 2022, a 1800 sq ft modular that housed half of Klamath Learning Center was destroyed by fire. The Klamath Falls City School district has the opportunity to use insurance money to replace these classrooms with a newly designed MakerSpace Shop. Although the county school district has a robust CTE program in the skilled trades, the city school district has no such offerings. Neither district offers an intensive hands-on program aimed at reengaging trauma impacted youth. With grant assistance for LearnSTEAM, Klamath Learning Center will be uniquely positioned to reengage youth through partnerships in the service area.
Reengagement services for eligible youth are coordinated between referral agencies for individualized case management. Selected eligible students attend a 40 hour per week program, up to one school year, or until they earn their GED or diploma. Students may continue through NCCER courses preparing to enter the KCC Preapprenticeship Program in the skilled trades. Approximately half the time is focused on academics and the other half on construction with soft skill development integrated throughout each day. After students pass competencies in tool safety, they are trained in design and fabrication needed to convert retired school busses into housing (a.k.a. “skoolies”) to be allocated by the Klamath Gospel Mission for severely impoverished families, in accordance with grant requirements from Oregon’s General Housing Account Program for low cost housing.
Klamath Works (KW) serves as the administrative hub for grant accountability. On a quarterly basis, KW gathers input from referring agencies, listed in the Service Area, and provides program process data for participants. Given the barriers and disparities of the eligible youth, KW collaborates with Citizens for Safe Schools and Klamath Tribes to provide inclusive, targeted support, in addition to the four hours per week “Adulting” classes KW will teach to LearnSTEAM participants.
The lead teacher of LearnSTEAM, who was born and raised in Klamath Falls, has experienced
In addition to these 9 years, he has taught high school wood shop, endorsed as a “Career Trades Generalist”. Additionally, he holds endorsements in 3/4 of the GED content areas. After teaching three years in Spanish speaking countries, he can proficiently assist students through the Spanish language GED study guide.
LearnSTEAM offers families of eligible youth participation in after school MakerSpace activities through the 21st Century Community Learning Center. KW has obtained grant funding to serve at risk middle school students, and would offer after school activities in the MakerSpace of LearnSTEAM.
All stakeholders provide critical feedback in the design and evaluation of program methods and content.
Klamath Learning Center (KLC) serves as a safety net for students who are unable to succeed at Klamath Union High School (KU). These students may have been expelled or suffer from chronic illness. Many KLC students report they have social anxieties, having been being overwhelmed by multiple transitions and large classes. During this school year KLC students have finished nearly 400 on line classes. 40 students have earned a diploma, 20 students have earned a GED. KLC has a proven record of tracking and reporting sensitive data required for student academic records and generating state reports. (See Memorandums of Understanding of the two school districts, i.e., KFCS and KCSD.)
Letters of Support and MOUs
(See appendix attachments)
Although the goal of the KFCS is a 100% graduation rate, disengaged youth have not been successful in online credit recovery. These youth have subsequently become burdens on community resources rather than contributors to the tax base. More importantly, these youth are unprepared to experience socio-psychological benefits derived from honest days of authentic productivity. As elsewhere, our community suffers from a severe shortages of skilled trade workers and affordable housing. An investment to reengage these youth will yield strong returns over their lifetimes as employed contributors.