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.

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?

A video produced by the Thomas Fordham Institute focuses on the vitality of local school boards. View the video at www.youtube.com/watch. What are your thoughts about the video and where do you stand on this issue?