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

This project builds on a previous Louisiana Goals 2000 effort and a Louisiana Networking Infrastructure for Education (LaNIE) grant received from the National Science Foundation to integrate Internet resources and K-12 instruction at five pilot sites across the state. Staff from both projects have been working jointly to develop an overall state educational technology plan.

Building on the work of the pilot sites, the new project is developing transferable models for providing underserved students access to technology, increasing student achievement, and documenting successful practices for widespread use in other communities across the country. Each of the five pilot sites, guided by a district technology advisory committee, is developing, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive district plan for using educational technology to increase student achievement and to meet local educational goals.

To improve student achievement, the project will address school readiness and provide professional development activities for educators and community partners; it will also involve parents in the learning process and concentrate on the transition from school to work and life-long learning.

Project staff are giving special attention to: 1) the obstacles limiting access for underserved populations; 2) training for additional school personnel, parents, and community program leaders; and 3) the development of materials to support parent and community programs.

Each district is increasing access to educational opportunities by opening school sites after hours and by expanding access to places more often visited by community members.

The five districts are developing standards-based curriculum materials for all content disciplines, and expanding access locations to include community centers, playgrounds, libraries, and churches. Priority subject areas are mathematics, science, language arts and literacy. Professional development activities for teachers, students, parents, and administrators of community organizations are being offered. Dissemination plans and public awareness campaigns are also being developed (electronic mail, home page at each site, regional conferences, etc.). During the second and third years additional community sites will be added and teacher-developed curriculum materials will be disseminated on-line through the International Society for Technology in Education Gopher server and World Wide Web server. During the fourth and fifth years video conferences will be used to transfer model practices to other parts of Louisiana. In addition, the project will work with the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Board of Regents to develop technology standards for pre-service and in-service education.

Professional development courses for educators and community members are being developed collaboratively by consortium members, and will be offered at each of the following cooperating universities: Northwestern State University, Natchitoches Parish; Northeast Louisiana University, Ouachita Parish; the University of Southwestern Louisiana, Lafayette Parish; the University of New Orleans, Jefferson Parish; and McNeese State University, Calcasieu Parish.

Consortium Partners

PROJECT DIRECTOR:

Dr. Kerry Davidson
Louisiana Systemic Initiative
1885 Wooddale Blvd., 11th Floor
Baton Rouge, LA 70806-1511

Telephone:

504-342-4253

Fax:

504-342-9318

E-mail:

davidson@regents.state.la.us

[Indianapolis Public Schools]

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