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How does a school district create a successful school technology
program? How do school leaders put technology to work to support
student learning, build a community of learners, create a strong
infrastructure, and provide effective professional development?
The stories -- and the results -- vary from school district to
school district. Here is one such story, excerpted from Models
of Success: Case Studies of Technology in Schools.
A diverse community
The city of Federal Way, located between Seattle and Tacoma,
is the sixth largest city in Washington. It is also one of the
youngest. The median age is 34, and children make up a fast-growing
segment of the population. The city's population of nearly 100,000
has increased dramatically since incorporation in 1990 and is
expected to grow to 140,000 in the next decade. The area's economy
features retail and service operations as well as light manufacturing.
The Federal Way Public Schools have an enrollment of 22,000
students and anticipate a 3 percent annual growth rate over the
next decade. Thirty-five languages in addition to English are
spoken, and the number of enrolled Limited English Proficiency
students has increased by more than 16 percent in the past several
years. Almost 30 percent of students qualify for federal free
or reduced-price lunches.
Striving to meet the learning needs of its diverse community,
Federal Way leverages technology to help students acquire world-class
skills as they reach to achieve grade-level standards. A laptop-based
learning program and the statewide, district-based Internet academy
give students new options.
The district's technology plan
Federal Way's technology plan acknowledges easy and frequent
access to technology as a powerful tool for learning. Specifically,
the district plan is to relentlessly pursue teaching tools and
strategies, some percentage of which are technology-based, that
lead to improved student learning and prepare students for an
information-rich world.
The district technology plan is revised annually with the assistance
of staff, patrons, and community members. This plan serves to
identify new technology-based instructional initiatives, focus
funding priorities, and identify technology-specific service and
support needs for the immediate future.
Each year, as the technology plan is reviewed and revised, committee
members ask themselves: "How can we ensure the wisest use of technologies
currently available to us? How do we discern 'hype' from 'truth'
as it relates to effective use of technology in an educational
setting? And more importantly, how do we involve students with
technology in a way that moves their learning beyond skills to
an expanded way of thinking and solving problems -- a mind set
that embraces learning throughout life?"
As the district continues to search for the best answers to
those questions, it has succeeded in creating a strong framework
that serves its mission well.
At Federal Way, technology liberates the community from traditional
constraints. Online instruction can take place virtually "anytime,
anywhere." Students participate in studies that would traditionally
be too distant, too expensive, or even too challenging in real
life.
For example, students have joined the world community in live,
online explorations such as an archaeological dig in Africa and
a climb of Mt. Everest. They have explored international issues
and conducted team projects with students in other classrooms
in distant countries. On any given day, a student can examine
a collection at the Smithsonian, talk with a university scientist,
or take a virtual tour of the streets of Paris. Through real-world
connections, learning becomes more current and relevant and all
students' range of experience expands, despite their divergent
home environments.
The Internet Academy
In 1996, Federal Way Public Schools developed the Internet Academy
(http://www.iacademy.org/). This was the first completely online
public school in the state of Washington and the first one for
kindergarten through eighth grade nationwide. Originally created
to serve home-schoolers, the program has now expanded to deliver
a comprehensive K-12 curriculum to more than 850 learners throughout
the state and beyond. Some of the newest Internet Academy students
include students who are medically fragile, students who work
as traveling actors or athletes, students who need to repeat a
course, and students who seek accelerated learning. Since this
is truly public education, only out-of-state students pay tuition.
The most significant benefit of the Internet Academy program
might be that a customized learning program can be developed for
each student. In many instances, the students design their program
to fit a learning pace that also accommodates their learning style.
Additionally, they can participate in learning during their desired
time slots and communicate with staff and other students at a
level that meets their needs and preferences. Teachers also have
the opportunity to facilitate learning one student at a time as
they e-mail back and forth with students regarding assignments.
As another operational benefit, students can access the curriculum
24 hours a day, 365 days a year, from any computer with Internet
access. The power of the Internet allows an alternative to the
campus environment and also provides a structure that allows families
to become more involved in their children's education. The Internet
Academy teaches today's students to use the transparent tools
of technology as they prepare for the world of tomorrow.
'Anytime, Anywhere Learning'
Federal Way was one of the first 40 school districts in the
nation to participate in Microsoft's portable-technology learning
program, referred to as "Anytime, Anywhere Learning" (AAL).
The program's vision is for students to have the opportunity to
benefit from access to business tools, such as portable computers,
that will help prepare them for both life and world in the 21st
century.
AAL students and teachers are equipped with portable computers
to be used for learning, communications, and the integration of
technology into the curriculum. This easy access to technology
helps to extend learning beyond the classroom walls.
Various hardware, software, and technology components provide
support for the program. Each district and school develops its
own vision. Program educators share these visions, their laptop
classroom experiences, and instructional strategies in a free
resource document maintained at the Microsoft web site.
As of July 1999, six Federal Way schools were offering AAL programs
to more than 750 students in grades seven to 12. The program continues
to grow in response to increased parent and community interest
and a widening pool of teachers who can provide support.
Approximately 55 percent of participating families purchase
laptop computers for their children to use in the program, making
sure to select equipment and software that is compatible with
the district's computer network and curricula. Families with economic
hardships (usually those who are eligible for free or reduced-price
lunches) may apply for a very low-cost rental laptop computer
through the district's business office. An additional low-cost
rental offering is available through competitive scholarships.
This rental program, which serves nearly 45 percent of the students,
is funded using periodic grant awards in addition to financial
support from the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce Educational Foundation.
In addition to active participation in the continuing nationwide
evaluation of "Anytime, Anywhere Learning," Federal Way schools
are currently in the second year of a three-year program evaluation
cycle. The design of the local program evaluation involves technology
literacy; oral and written communication skills; student engagement
as measured by attendance and discipline referrals; and achievement
testing. During the last year of the evaluation, students will
be retested on the same state-administered standardized achievement
tests that were administered in the first year.
Developing the future
Through wise use of technology, the Federal Way Public School
District is providing an exciting and information-rich learning
environment, encouraging students to become knowledge-builders
and thoughtful problem-solvers and helping them gain a strong
foothold on the future.
District leaders are excited about how they play a role in student
learning by developing the best and most current technology systems.
As they continue to create avenues for further learning opportunities,
they have slated six focus areas in their development of access
tools: standards, assessments, communication, activities, management,
and resources. Using those, they are able to design a learning
program that challenges every student to obtain world-class skills.
For more information, contact the Federal
Way Public Schools at 31405 18th Ave. S., Federal Way, WA
98003; (253) 945-2000.
ABOUT THIS ARTICLE
This article is excerpted from Models
of Success: Case Studies in Technology in Schools, which was
written and published by the National School Boards Association's
ITTE: Education Technology
Programs, with financial assistance from Microsoft Corp. Tom Schmeltzer,
founder and managing director of Technology Solutions, in Marietta,
Ga., was the primary editor/researcher for the book. Models of
Success can be ordered through ITTE's
web site.The price is $35, and the order number is 03-146-10.
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