A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

Challenge Grants for Techonology In Education - FY95

San Diego Unified School District

San Diego, California

The Triton Project

"The Triton Project" is a multi-partner educational reform effort that blends a unique ocean-themed curriculum with several technologies to create new learning opportunities for students and teachers in the San Diego schools. The San Diego Unified School District is the eighth largest in the country. More than 26% of its students are classified "English language learners" (ELL), and they speak more than 50 native languages. Over half the ELL students are economically disadvantaged, and academic achievement among many students throughout the school system is poor. The Triton Project uses the capabilities and unique appeal of modern technology to capture interest in core curricula, provide a highly productive education program, and produce improved student achievement throughout all elementary and secondary schools in the system. As the program is expanded to include all San Diego School System students by the year 2000, more than 128,000 children will participate. This program includes a strong staff development component and evaluation plan. Its major focus is the development of a content-based and standards-driven curriculum. The program stresses systemic reform, and contains elements that are in compliance with recommendations of the National Education Commission on Time and Learning and the Goals 2000 Act. There are four main goals:

1) Equitable Access to Technology

The program is increasing the availability of educational technologies throughout the school system in order to ensure equitable access to technology-related opportunities for all students. The program teaches students to identify, organize and allocate educational resources. They work with a variety of technologies, including the Internet, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, multimedia, telerobotics, videoconferencing, digital video, and virtual reality.

2) Improved Learning Outcomes

The program utilizes a variety of technologies to improve learning outcomes in reading, writing, math, and science. Several approaches are employed, including the establishment of measurable objectives and evaluation strategies, the implementation of curricula that address the needs of second language learners, and the application of technology to specific learning challenges.

3) Improved Interaction with Parents and the Community

The program promotes effective telecommunication using computers, video and cable television. These technologies encourage communication across ages, geographies, genders, ethnicities, and economic levels. Through telecommunication, digital video production, and cable television, the program allows students to contact and learn from schools and other community resources at distant sites.

4) Effective Staff Development

The program provides effective, hands-on training for administrators, teachers, support staff, and parents. Teachers learn to use technology as a tool in developing lessons, and discover how to locate and utilize educational resources on the Internet.

The Triton Project is a collaborative partnership between the San Diego City Schools and a number of private and public organizations within the community. Each of the partners provides a unique service to the program. The school system is working closely with the Mayor's office to connect electronically all classrooms, offices, and school libraries to colleges, universities, public libraries, medical centers, social service agencies, research facilities, Sea World, museums and other places of interest in the city. Sea World is expanding its telecommunication capabilities directly into district classrooms, and communicates directly with students via the Internet. Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Stephen Birch Aquarium-Museum are sharing two curricular units they have developed: "Kelp Forest" and "Forecasting the Future." They also work with teachers in the development of new curricula. The San Diego Public Libraries offer Homework Centers as an electronic resource for students. Pacific Bell, through its Education First project, links the partners electronically, and is working with San Diego State University on a curriculum development project. The San Diego Supercomputer Center supports the design and production of a curriculum that takes the vast resources of the Internet and filters them into a practical, useful program of study. It also supports the virtual reality component of the project. The Naval Command Control and Ocean Surveillance Center gives advice in virtual reality development, demonstrates advance technologies in action, works with students to design and develop robots that can operate at a distance and in virtual worlds, and offers engineering and technical support.

An external evaluator from San Diego State University is working with Triton Project staff to design an evaluation plan for the program. The evaluator will conduct site visits, observations and interviews, and will coordinate project data collection. School district staff will work with Triton Project staff to coordinate data collection and analysis. Project participants will assist at every level in the design, implementation and interpretation of the evaluation.

The Triton Project blends new technologies, intriguing subject matter, and non-traditional learning opportunities in a unique and motivational education program.

Consortium Partners

Naval Command Control & Ocean Surveillance Center
Office of the Mayor of San Diego
Pacific Bell's Education First Initiative
San Diego Data Processing Corporation
San Diego Public Library System
San Diego State University
San Diego Supercomputer Center at UC-San Diego
Scripps Institute of Oceanography
Sea World
Stephen Birch Aquarium-Museum

PROJECT DIRECTOR:: Richard Fabian
Education Technology Specialist
San Diego Unified School District
1775 Chatsworth Blvd. #143
San Diego, CA 92107
Telephone:: (619) 225-3416
Fax:: (619) 225-0393
E-mail:: Richard_Fabian@smtpgw.sdcs.k12.ca.us

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[San Mateo County Office of Education]

[Capital School District]