One important yet often overlooked key to the successful implementation of a districtwide or schoolwide 1:1 technology rollout plan is the active involvement and support of the board of education. Here are five of the key things school board members can and should do to ensure a smooth start to a 1:1 program.

Begin with a Long-Term Vision: The goal of a school district’s 1:1 program shouldn't be simply putting a computer into the hands of each student. Think loftier: In what ways could teachers teach more effectively when each student has a computer? What specific, new behaviors does the school board hope to see developed in students as a result of this technology? The answers to these questions will vary by district, but enhancing differentiated instruction, allowing students to complete tasks and assignments that are more genuine, and increased student motivation are all but certain to make any district’s list. Once a vision has been agreed upon, include these goals in your school’s next strategic plan.

Set Measurable Goals: Humans love measurable data. School boards should use this fact to their advantage, setting concrete, measurable goals for the first two years of their district’s 1:1 implementation. These goals can include operational and/or cost-related goals (“At least 90 percent of student computer repairs will be completed in less than three hours”) but should also include concrete academic learning outcomes for students (“Schoolwide enrollment in Advanced Placement classes should increase as a result of the 1:1 technology better meeting student needs”). After the second year of your district’s 1:1 program, if you can show that your high school’s dropout rate has been cut in half or that students are finishing high school with more AP credits than ever before, the public relations battle will have been decisively won.

Start with Pilot Classrooms: If you don’t have the funds or the districtwide enthusiasm to immediately move toward a districtwide 1:1 implementation, consider beginning with a subset of pilot classrooms across various buildings, subjects, and grade levels. Ask highly motivated teachers to apply for a class set of computers, then require them to document their successes and become spokespeople to help spread the word of the benefits of a 1:1 program.

Plan for Professional Development: One huge barrier to beginning a successful 1:1 program is teachers who feel unprepared to make the shift to teaching with technology. Set aside budget funds to be specifically used for professional development in the area of teaching with 1:1 technology. Consider using leaders from within the district, especially other teachers, to lead these PD sessions.

Create Feedback Loops: From the outset of your district’s 1:1 program, set up official methods by which staff, students, and parents can provide their feedback about the program. This should include ongoing acceptance of feedback through a designated email account as well as specific requests for feedback at least once a year in the form of parent, student and staff surveys.

School boards that do these five things will ensure a much greater chance of creating a smooth rollout of 1:1 technology in their district.

A new film, American Teacher—narrated by actor Matt Damon and co-produced by popular author Dave Eggers—attempts to paint a more positive picture of the teaching profession in America, and shed light on the need to attract and retain quality teachers in our schools. The film chronicles the stories of four teachers living and working in disparate urban and rural areas of the country. The stories are told through a mixture of footage and interviews with students, families and colleagues, as well as by the teachers themselves.

Unlike other documentaries about public education, this one is clearly pro-teacher, and argues that we need to view teaching as a profession not unlike doctors or lawyers. Promos on the website call teachers, "misunderstood, underpaid and scapegoated" as well as "dedicated and hardworking." Click here to watch a trailer.

There are currently no screenings planned in Michigan, but the website has a link that lets you plan your own screening. You can also order a DVD of the film. What do you think, do we undervalue teaching in this country? We'll share some of your thoughts in an upcoming Headlines.

Jamie Vollmer is the author of Schools Cannot Do It Alone. His book tells of an extraordinary journey through the land of public education. His encounters with blueberries, bell curves, and smelly eighth graders lead him to two critical discoveries. First, we have a systems problem, not a people problem. We must change the system to get the graduates we need. Second, we cannot touch the system without touching the culture of the surrounding town; everything that goes on inside a school is tied to local attitudes, values, traditions, and beliefs.

Mr. Vollmer is coming to Livingston County for two presentations: Wednesday, August 31 at 7 p.m. at the Brighton Center for the Performing Arts and Thursday, September 1 at 1 p.m. at the Howell High School Auditorium. Both presentations are free to the public.

What do you think? Do schools have a systems problem, people problem, culture problem? Have you read the book? The book can be purchased through MASB's online bookstore.

The engagement level of students, parents and community members are higher around back to school time, which means it's a good time to showcase your school and celebrate the beginning of a new year. According the National School Public Relations Association, here a few tips to think about:

• Have a kick-off picnic or potluck to meet new parents and re-engage with others. Showcase past successes and new initiatives for the year.
• Some teachers, principals and counselors will visit the homes of incoming students during the summer just to say “hello.” It's a good way to make an early connection and to find out about the students and their parents — their interests and their hobbies — and let them see you're a real and caring person. A 10- or 15-minute visit can make all the difference to a frightened child or an apprehensive parent.
• It's a good time to let community members know how they can get involved in schools and what your school can offer to the community (events, computer lab, fitness, etc.).
• A telephone call or quick note to new students/parents, telling them who you are and how pleased you are that they’ll be in your class/school.
  

What's your district and administrative team doing to celebrate the beginning of another school year?

I spent part of the first week in June on Mackinac Island for the annual Mackinac Policy Conference (MPC) hosted by the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce. This event brings together more than 1,500 business people, lawmakers, media and others involved in policy (like yours truly) to discuss issues in an effort to re-energize Michigan.

This was my first trip to the famed conference and I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect from “Mackinac.” Certainly I’ve been to the island and knew that there would be walking, fudge and horses galore. But I was a bit skeptical about the value of an event I perceived to be a three-day boondoggle for Michigan’s ruling class. I don’t usually like to admit it, but I was wrong.

Don’t get me wrong, I had to look beyond the open bars sandwiched between buffet tables of shrimp and other delicacies to find the true meaning of the MPC—concentrated conversation focusing on Michigan’s problems in a relaxed setting with all the players. When I say all, I mean it. Every sector from business to non-profit and even education was represented. Anyone I’d ever done business with, exchanged business cards with or talked to in Lansing was there.

Deputy Director Don Wotruba and I had the opportunity to have several in-depth conversations with players in the business, charter and education communities about ways to close the achievement gap, tackle our out-of-control legacy costs and refocus the conversation on a better education for Michigan’s children. “Big deal,” you say, “you can do that in Lansing.” The answer is, “No.”

By putting all of these people on an island, you get lase-like focus on the issues of the day. You get a setting that’s more relaxed and provides lawmakers a bit of cover to have conversations outside of their political comfort zone. You get spectacular views from the porch at the Grand Hotel. And most of all, you get a collegial environment where no one expects a bill to be drafted that afternoon or arm twisting to be done to get a vote passed.

You hear about the Mackinac Conference on the radio or see stories on the Internet or in newspapers (if you’re still reading the print version) about what happens at the MPC, but without being there, it’s hard to quantify what actually goes on. This lobbyist sees an incredible value in participation, and thanks to the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce for hosting this meaningful event. Next year, I’m coming with more business cards.

Peter Spadafore, assistant director of government relations
Michigan Association of School Boards