best practices

As much as I love the revolutionary potential of technology in education, I understand why some of those who care about public education and public universities worry about privatization and plunder.

In collaboration with AASA, The School Superintendents Association and the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), Gartner, Inc., has released a series of district case studies and videos that demonstrate best practices for school districts seeking to improve student achievement through data use.

A report from the Brookings Institution argues that policymakers must recognize the potential for technology to stretch dollars and improve outcomes. "Education Technology Success Stories" includes examples of emerging technologies for education, from robots that give language lessons to stealth assessments that replace traditional testing with game-based observations of competency.

Matt Frey, an education manager in Brevard Public Schools, was recently inducted as the president of the Florida Council of Instructional Technology Leaders. The council promotes cooperation and communication among district and state leaders who impact technology use in Florida.

From his desk at the Massachusetts Virtual Academy office on Davis Street, Carl Tillona looked out across the large room at four teachers, each of whom wore headphones and spread out at tables with laptops, communicating lesson plans virtually with students and parents.

Quality education is without a doubt one of the necessary foundations for a thriving community. Excellent schools create excellent graduates, and that creates a pool of potential employees that can help attract business.

For a state accustomed to accolades for educational excellence, a D+ grade surely will earn scorn from defenders of the current system. Given what’s at stake, however, we should seize this criticism and take it as an opportunity for some self-reflection.

A few years ago, Bill Gates decided to learn more about whether a teacher's effect on student learning could be measured. Three years, 3,000 teachers and about $50 million later, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation thinks it has the answers.