New Tech High School found an innovative way to see if the school was teaching
its students skills that were useful in college or career. New Tech High School hired
Rockman et al, an independent research and consulting group, to conduct a six-month
study of alumni. The integration of real-world skills and experiences with academic skills
through project-based learning was of particular value, stated the alumni to the
consultants. The consulting group also reported that the alumni expressed positive
feelings about collaboration skills, problem-solving and communication skills that they
would not have gotten through a more traditional approach to school. Pearlman (2006a)
reported that one former student commented that the concepts of personnel management,
time management, research and development, and presentation skills are infinitely
valuable in his goal as a professional in the 21 st century.