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Policy

Effective federal, state, and local policy provides the foundation that enables classroom innovation to flourish. Key aspects of effective policy are flexibility, frequent evaluation, and the ability to modify policy as needed to engender true transformation. A systematic approach to policy formulation enables policy makers to establish realistic policies in reasonable time frames. Central to the process is a focus on clear goals and the evaluation elements that allow the process to be checked continually to determine whether the intended audience is truly benefiting. 

 

Recent Articles

With schools across the U.S. scrambling to respond to dramatically increased bandwidth demands required by one-to-one and BYO programs – as well as the soon-to-be implemented online assessments for the Common Core State Standards – many are looking to the federal E-rate program for assistance.

Geared to administrators rolling out one-to-one initiatives, the 1-to-1 Essentials Program, from nonprofit Common Sense Media, outlines best practices for integrating computers and tablets into any K-12 school – whether it’s a pilot program or whole-district initiative.

Excellence in education, school reform, digital learning – these are some of the phrases you’ll hear over and over in news reports and publication press releases, but what do they mean to you and to the people who push for them?

Earlier this month, the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) released guidance for policymakers and K-12 school leaders on school technology readiness needs for “college and career ready teaching, learning and assessment.”

Ok, I dare you to read to the end of this editorial. It’s much longer than 140 characters!

This SchoolCIO article by Scott McLeod offers reassurance to risk-averse administrators.

Project RED has announced 20 signature districts who will receive customized support from the Project RED team, work collaboratively with fellow signature districts, and serve as models for others.

When the Kansas State Department of Education met this week to discuss de-emphasizing cursive writing instruction in the schools, they were following the lead of the Common Core State Standards as well as a growing number of states that have stopped mandating cursive.

With Comcast entering the second year of its Internet Essentials program and the newer Connect2Compete program – which involves most other U.S. cable companies – gearing up to launch in a number of communities, reduced-cost Internet service is becoming available to more and more low-income families.

The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) is working to ensure that you are.

On June 19, Next Generation Learning Challenges (NGLC) announced $1.2 million in grants for comprehensive new secondary school models that use technology to support college readiness.

Students at the Science Leadership Academy – a high-profile, project-based community within the Philadelphia Public Schools – are used to visitors. They get a lot of them. But last week’s visit by none other than President Obama was extra special to the SLA students. 

A state law prohibiting student-owned devices in class has been changed to accommodate today's evolving learning environments.

With support from Intel and other partners, Connect Ohio aims to provide broadband access to the poorest areas of the state.

When the Academy for Software Engineering opens its doors in September, 108 enthusiastic ninth graders will have the chance to learn programming, Web design, advanced computer science and much more.

In late March, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan hosted a discussion with senior executives and other education technology leaders to discuss ways of responding to President Obama's challenge to help all K-12 schools transition to interactive digital textbooks in the next five years.

You may not allow your students to cite tweets in their scholarly papers but, if you change your mind, the MLA and the Library of Congress are both there to help.

Educators continue to weigh in on the pros and cons of student-owned technology.

At the second White House Science Fair President Obama congratulated students for their exciting and meaningful projects and pledged new money for STEM education.

With most one-to-one programs charging a small insurance premium for loaners that go home with students, districts are considering the pros and cons of handling insurance in-house.

This is an article about policy. Does it come up at the top of the policy section? I hope it does. Blah, blah, blah. Trying to put something below the line but it won't go. Why not?

A look at ways in which Intel is taking technology breakthroughs into areas beyond the PC - [3-page brochure, 2011]

In this overview, we offer a blueprint for building effective and ambitious K-12 technology initiatives -- ones that are based on real-world successes and that take into account the complex array of variables that impact schools today. [48-page PDF]