Editor's Note

This month you'll read about several more schools and districts that are making history by putting technology into the hands of their students 24/7. From a new one-to-one pilot program involving 80 middle schoolers in Colorado Springs (CO) to a well-established laptop program in the 50,000-student Henrico County Public Schools (VA), our new profiles introduce you to districts that are preparing their students for their future by offering them digitally rich, engaging learning environments.

Please take some time this week to fill out our questionnaire about your experiences with one-to-one computing. We will be selecting responses to share online at the K-12 Computing Blueprint site in the coming months as part of a new "Tips from the Field" feature. We're also looking for a few great bloggers, schools and districts to feature in future profiles, and links to add to our Resources Directory. If you have ideas to share regarding any of the above, we invite you to write us at info@k12blueprint.com.

Judy Salpeter, Editor

Check Out These New Profiles

At K-12 Computing Blueprint you can now learn more about:

• Henrico County Public Schools, one of the first and largest districts to issue a laptop computer to each middle and high school student, teacher, and administrator -- all at a lower per-pupil cost than the state average.

• Auburn City Schools, whose tablet program is featured in several Intel videos and publications, including a brand new white paper reporting on increased student engagement and other results.

• A pilot program in a Colorado Springs middle school that has 80 seventh and eighth graders learning in novel ways with help from tablet computers.

• Special-needs students in Washington Parish, one of Louisiana's poorest communities, who are receiving a 21st century education as of a result of a private-public partnership following Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts.

View the Archived Webinar on 1:1 Logistics

It's not too late to participate in the webinar on "One-to-one Planning and Logistics: Tips from the Experts." Although the live event has already happened, you can access the archived recording online now. Don't miss this practical presentation, delivered by experienced practitioners in two pioneering one-to-one districts (Irving, Texas and Auburn, Alabama), offering how-to advice on everything from charging laptop batteries to involving families and community members.

Your Picks – and Advice – for the Next President

Last month's quick poll led to lively debate about the presidential candidates and what they can and should do about education. Nearly 70 percent of you are leaning to the Democrats, with 38.26% believing that Barack Obama has the best vision for education and 30.43% thinking that Hillary Clinton does.

And your advice to the winner regarding No Child Left Behind? While a majority (52.17%) said we should "throw out NCLB and start over with a better approach," a substantial minority (43.48%) recommended reauthorizing NCLB "with some important changes." Several people felt that it was unfair to "pin the total responsibility for a child's success on the school" when too many parents are failing to provide support or even safety at home. On the other hand, at least one respondent pointed out that “NCLB did have the impact of 'waking up' those districts that failed to address the needs of the special needs and lowest performing students."

Perhaps the following posting sums up the different points of view best: "The concept of making schools accountable for student's learning is a good one, but one that has been sadly mismanaged. Testing is far too important and teachers are scared to do anything but 'teach to the test' for fear of being fired! If you are going to make NCLB work, you need to get to the heart of the matter and fund these programs fully. If not, drop it and find something else that will work. But don't forget that creativity and fine arts are as important to many children as academics and our country is blessed with the opportunity for those who don't excel in academics to do so in another area. We need to recognize and provide for those types of learners as well. A hard task? Certainly. My admiration and support will go to the person who can help accomplish these goals!"

Does it Matter to You Whether They Went to Public School?

While some respondents to last month's poll lauded Barack Obama as "the best advocate for education" with "the greater passion and skill to [make] meaningful improvements," other commenters were concerned about Obama's own school history: "Come on people," wrote one person, "Barack went to a private school!" Added another, "How can a candidate possibly have a vision for the American education system when he went to a private school and, more importantly, refuses to salute the American flag?" While Obama's campaign staff would undoubtedly jump on the flag saluting accusation as false, the private school question could remain an issue with educators.

How about you? Does the fact that both Barack Obama and John McCain attended private schools as children or that all three leading candidates for president have sent their children to private schools bother you? Is it important for elected officials to have personal experience with pubic education if they are going to set education policy? Take this month's Quick Poll and let us know what you think.

Headlines

German Study Shows Laptops Improve Reading, Writing and Independence
Classroom laptops have positive effects on learning, according to Germany's "1,000 Times 1,000" study.

To Help Prepare Students and Relieve Back Strain, a Maryland Middle School Switches to Laptops
Sixth-graders at Trinity Lutheran School in Joppa, a Baltimore suburb, will be carrying laptops rather than textbooks this fall.

Big Spring Laptops Back -- With a New Filter
High school students in Big Spring, Texas, regain their laptop privileges after the school adds new filtering and educates families about appropriate use.

Literacy Program Funds Laptops
More engaged and more active learners, improved scores and behavior, and student-driven classrooms are the results of classroom laptops for students at Holy Ghost Elementary in Dubuque, Iowa.

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