Dec 10, 2013 - each of the grade 3-5 classrooms to be used during the school day. ... EGRPS will access technology in ou
December 10, 2013 Dear East Grand Rapids Public Schools Elementary Families: During the past several months we have continued to work on the development of the elementary Engage 1:1 program. This preparation involved a review of the current 1:1 program at the middle school and high school levels, a review of four years of work by our elementary 1:1 pilot classrooms, and specific discussions about the readiness of elementary students to use a digital device in support of their learning. Our elementary pilot teachers have shared that 1:1 student access has provided multiple benefits in student learning through richer collaboration, more opportunities for differentiation, real-time feedback on assessments, and an increase in quality of work through the online peer review process. Through this reflection and preparation the district has concluded that the elementary Engage 1:1 program will have some similarities and differences to the middle and high school programs which are based on student learning needs. The major difference will be that the elementary 1:1 devices will be district provided over time at grades 3-5, and families with elementary students will not be asked to voluntarily provide a device at this time. This is a notable difference from the voluntary and encouraged Engage 1:1 program in place at the middle and high school where families are asked to voluntarily provide the student device. Our goal as a district is to provide classroom carts of 1:1 devices in each of the grade 3-5 classrooms to be used during the school day. The development of this goal has been supported through the generosity and partnership with our PTO (parent-teacher organization) and the EGR Schools Foundation. Their ongoing financial support has allowed the district to continue exploring and developing strategies to enhance teaching and learning in East Grand Rapids Public Schools. The chart below shows the structure of how students in EGRPS will access technology in our district and highlights the key differences between our elementary and secondary Engage 1:1 programs: Grade Level Elementary Grades Y5-2 Elementary Engage 1:1 Grades 3-5
Secondary Engage 1:1 Grades 6-12
Devices
Device Mobility
District provides devices for classrooms (not 1:1 access) District provides classroom carts through partnerships and district budget over time (1:1 access) Voluntary and Encouraged family provided device Scholarship support available Daily check out devices available
Students use devices at school (not 1:1 access) Students use 1:1 device only at school
Students use personal and district provided 1:1 device at school and at home
We plan to implement the elementary Engage 1:1 program at the fifth grade level during the 2014-2015 school year and at the fourth and third grade levels in subsequent years depending on the district budget. We believe that having an Engage 1:1 program at both the elementary and secondary levels will provide enhanced learning opportunities for all students. For more information regarding the Engage 1:1 program at the middle school and high school, please visit the Fall 2013 Engage Update. If you have any questions, please contact me at
[email protected] or 616-235-3535. Sincerely,
Douglas R. Jenkins Director of Technology and Assessment East Grand Rapids Public Schools
[email protected] 2915 Hall Street, SE ยท Grand Rapids Michigan 49506 Telephone (616) 235-3535 Fax (616) 235-3256 www.egrps.org
