Little Falls Community Schools is located in Morrison county in rural Minnesota. Morrison county has an unemployment rate of 7% which is well above state and national averages. Per capita income in Morrison county is $16,563 which places Morrison county 7th lowest out of 87 Minnesota counties. Over 55% of our elementary students qualify for free and reduced lunch. Educational attainment levels are low; 31% of Morrison county adults ages 18 and older have not obtained a high school diploma, and 85% of Morrison county adults ages 18 and older have not obtained a post secondary degree. Despite financial and educational poverty, the residents of Independent School District 482 passed a ten year $10 million technology referendum 5 years ago.

Over the course of five years, the school district has established its own local area and wide area network (LAN and WAN) for data and voice connecting all buildings within the district. A network administrator was hired to establish the LAN and WAN infrastructure. Internet connections and a registered domain name for LFCS was established. After the internet connections were in place firewall, domain servers, web servers, Internet mail server, proxy server and lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) and dial in access were also established.

District infrastructure expanded to include an internet drop in every classroom, a workstation on every teachers desk and a 1:3 computer to student ratio throughout the district. In the fall of 1997 Little Falls Community Schools began an aggressive mission of moving the 1:3 ratio to a 1:1 ratio through a laptop initiative. During the first year of implementation all 5th grade students had laptop computers (eMate 300) and in the second year all 5th through 8th grade students (approximately 1100 students) had laptop computers. During the first year teachers received monthly staff development training. Staff development for 6th through 8th grade teachers was minimal and a marked change in year two implementation was evident.

Certified teachers were hired during the initial phases of the technology referendum to specialize in staff development and integration of technology into the existing curriculum. A district technology tool kit for students and staff is in place. Technology integrationists at the elementary level have established a scope and sequence of technology skills in relationship to reading, writing, mathematics and inquiry across all curricular areas. Technology integrationist function in a variety of ways through out the district. However, the role most closely related to district vision and goals occurs when a technology integrationist assists classroom instructors in the integration of technology into their curriculum by modeling, peer coaching and supporting educational technology in their classroom.

Staff development opportunities are available throughout the year for teachers. Technology integrationist are the instructors for these classes. In addition technology integrationist are involved in various teaching and learning committees as well as graduation standards committees. After district scope and sequence is revised and aligned with graduation standards, the technology integrationist begins seeking additional resources to enhance and reinforce the curricular goals. The integrationist creates and provide sample lessons aligning with goals and then assists the classroom teacher in implementation of the lessons.

Little Falls Community Schools has a variety of special projects in place as a result of technological infrastructure, integration of technology into the curriculum, local history and community support. Please go to the following sites to gain information about the Fresco Project, Riverwatch Project, Foreign Exchange Teacher Program, Camp Ripley Job Shadowing Program and the Laptop Initiative.