March 2009 Electronic School eZine

Additional Resources

Calcasieu Technology Treasures: Real Tools, Real Kids, Real Success
Calcasieu Parish School Board (CPSB) members and employees have spent more than a decade engaged in evolutionary strategic planning processes in order to transform schools into 21st century learning environments. To achieve this goal, the Calcasieu Parish School Board adopted Baldrige-based quality processes focused on using continuous improvement practices to transform departments, schools and classrooms. Successful use of quality practices recently resulted in the district receiving Southern Association of Schools and Colleges district wide accreditation.

District Snapshots: What Makes 2009 TLN Site Visits Special (Recorded Webinar)
Get an insider’s look at the innovations to be showcased during the three NSBA Technology Leadership Network site visits. Every district struggles with providing effective professional development, building “future-proof” facilities, and bridging the home-school connection through better communication and 24x7 access to resources. During this one hour webinar, you will get a snapshot of each district’s most innovative approaches, then, join in the lively dialogue as they compare and contrast the various approaches they have used with your own solutions. The North Kansas City Site Visit has been successfully completed, but there are two more exciting visits left. Don’t miss this engaging hour with Janet Herdman, Executive Director, Information and Technology Services, North Kansas City Schools (MO); Kathy Rains, Director of Technology, Madison City Schools (AL); and Dr. Sheryl Abshire, CTO, Calcasieu Parish Public Schools (LA).

Showcasing Technology Innovation: 2009 Site Visits
Join us to see innovative strategies in action, as these school districts highlight effective technology solutions. You’ll have a chance to tour schools, ask questions, and see first-hand the energy and enthusiasm these new practices bring to the classroom. You’ll return with new ideas and a fresh perspective on how technology can help transform your district!

Online Professional Development to Technology Leadership Network Participants at Significant Discounts
The TLN Learning Portal (www.nsba.org/tlnlearningportal) connects TLN Districts to the leading online education technology professional development courses at a special discount through our partners CyberSmart!, PBS TeacherLine, and Teachscape. Click here to find out more…

NSBA President: Professional development is a wise investment
by Barbara Bolas, Board Member, Upper St. Clair School District, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. When school boards confront tough budget battles, how can they make the best decisions to maximize limited resources? How can board members choose the most cost-effective technology systems? What about the instructional methods most likely to produce student achievement gains, or the facility improvements most likely to reduce energy costs? by Barbara Bolas, Board Member, Upper St. Clair School District, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania When school boards confront tough budget battles, how can they make the best decisions to maximize limited resources? How can board members choose the most cost-effective technology systems? What about the instructional methods most likely to produce student achievement gains, or the facility improvements most likely to reduce energy costs?

On-line Professional Learning – Bringing Research to Improve Classroom Practice
by Cheryl Scott Williams, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, Teachscape, Bethesda, Maryland. As educators, we’ve known for some time that the single biggest determiner of a student’s achievement in the classroom is the knowledge and ability of the teacher in that classroom. While it has taken us too long to move from that widely known fact to addressing the professional learning needs of the educators, we now have the leadership at the national, state, and local levels to put teacher quality and support as a central focus of our collective school improvement efforts.

Executive Director’s Report: In good times and bad -- NSBA is looking out for you
“It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.” Those opening lines of Charles Dickens’ historical novel A Tale of Two Cities, published in 1859, capture some of my feelings at this very hopeful time in our nation’s history.

How Does the Economic Stimulus Affect Education Technology?
Stay up-to-date on what is happening at NSBA's Economic Stimulus Resource Center. The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides an increased investment of $650 million for the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) grant program, which is currently funded at approximately $272 million for Fiscal Year 2008. The funding will be available in Fall 2009, according to the U.S. Department of Education, which is scheduled to release further guidance to states and school districts soon. Under the EETT program, the U.S. Department of Education generally provides grants to state educational agencies (SEAs) on the basis of their proportionate share of funding under Part A of Title I of the No Child Left Behind Act. States may retain up to 5 percent of their allocations for State-level activities, and must distribute one-half of the remainder by formula to eligible local educational agencies and the other one-half to eligible local entities on a competitive basis. (EETT grant funding flows from states to school districts via 50% Title I formula grants and 50% competitive grants.)

First look at the Stimulus Package
Click here (TLN participant login required) to view this previously aired webinar in either video or slide show format.

Duncan outlines for vision for education
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan offered some clues about the Obama administration’s education policies during a recent meeting with education leaders and at his confirmation hearing.

Stimulus Offers Boost to Education Funding
Economic stimulus legislation under consideration in Congress offers an unprecedented infusion

Find out an estimate of what your state/school district will receive under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill
State Stabilization Funds, Title I, Title I School Improvement, IDEA, McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance, Education Technology, and Child Care and Development Block Grant Discretionary Funding levels.

A New Era in Education: Redefining the Federal Role for the 21st Century
NSBA's suggestions on how the new administration can lead and facilitate a constructive discussion that results in a national vision for strengthening America's schools.

Special Technology Sessions Planned for NSBA’s Annual Conference, April 4-7, 2009
Experience the latest technology in action and learn how it can help your district by attending the special technology sessions planned for NSBA’s annual conference. Space is limited for all technology events, so register early.

In This Issue: Professional Development March 2009
by Gene Broderson, Director, National Affiliate Services and Technology Programs, NSBA