Boston Public Schools
HOMEPAGE

Boston Public Schools (BPS) has received many awards for its leadership role in technology among large urban cities. Boston's plan LINC Boston (Learning and Information Network for the Community) is a comprehensive five year plan to address all of the key elements involved in implementing a substantive technology program in our schools. As of Spring 1999, in the third year of the plan, Boston can attest to the following accomplishments and immediate goals.

Networked Schools

Every one of Boston's 130 schools has a "starter network" (computer lab, library, principal's office, and 4-8 classrooms) connected to a wide area network based at Court Street, our central administrative office. Eleven schools are completely networked, with plans to complete the networking of all schools by 2002. Boston is the first major urban school district in the country to have networks and high-speed Internet access throughout every school.

Hardware and Software

In June 1995, Boston had a 1:63 computer student ratio for new computers. By June 1999, we will have installed 10,500 additional state of the art computers, bringing Boston to a 1:6 computer to student ratio. This accomplishment puts Boston well on the way to reaching the goal of one computer for every four students and a computer for each teacher, a commitment made by Mayor Menino in his State of the City Address in January 1996. All computers come "loaded" with software; Microsoft Office on all machines, and in addition, ClarisWorks, KidPix, and HyperStudio on all elementary and middle school equipment. Each school also receives a budget to purchase additional curriculum software.

Assistive Technology

Boston Public Schools, supported by funding from city, state and federal funds, has made a major commitment to providing computers and appropriate assistive technology to all special needs classrooms by 2002, as teachers participate in professional development to understand how to use these technologies to support student learning.

Professional Development

Boston has developed Technology Competencies to be achieved by all staff. These competencies, based on those recognized by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), and supported by the Boston Teachers Union, have five levels of proficiency. At each level, BPS offers free on-site courses to teachers, principals, and other staff to help them achieve those competencies. In addition, teachers are awarded computers for their classrooms, once they have completed competencies at each level, and have been "coached" by one of their colleagues to produce technology based materials for their classrooms. By June 1999, 2,000 teachers (40% of all Boston teachers) will have received their first computer and printer, recognizing their development of "productivity tools" for their classrooms. 400 teachers will have participated in curriculum integration projects and received additional classroom computers. Beginning in 1999, new teachers must document technology competency at the Novice level or participate in summer workshops prior to beginning teaching in September. New teachers will be eligible to participate in coaching during their first year of teaching and to receive technology for their classrooms.

Student Competencies

In September 1998, a team of Lead Teachers representing all grade levels and including subject area teachers, bilingual, SPED, and computer instructors, began to work to develop a set of Student Technology Competencies. (Being sent with Technology Plan) They based their work on the standards recommended and recognized nationally by the International Society for Technology in Education. In presentations to groups of teachers, principals, parents, and the Leadership Team, the Competencies have been well received. Teachers and principals alike appreciate the fact that clear and consistent expectations are established for students and teachers at all grade levels and that the Competencies are directly connected to the City-wide Learning Standards.

It is important to note that these Competencies cover the use of technology as a tool to enhance learning in all subject areas. Technology education, defined as a study of the machinery that each generation develops to make society's work easier and more productive, is covered both at the state level and in Boston, as part of the Science curriculum.

Curriculum Integration

Boston Public Schools, supported by grants from the federal and state governments, as well as by IBM, is developing web-based resources to support the dissemination of exemplary curriculum materials which support Boston's Citywide Learning Standards, as well as on-line rubrics to support the assessment of student work. Hundreds of teachers participate in technology based curriculum workshops and coaching to share the development of best teaching practices.

Libraries

All Boston Public High School libraries, as well as 10 elementary and middle school libraries are automated, in a unique partnership with the Boston Public Library. All students in these schools have access to all of the resources of the Boston Public Library, directly from their schools. They use Boston Public Library cards to check out books at their own schools, as well as being able to look up books at every branch library, and reserve books and have them delivered right to their schools. This partnership between school and public libraries is the first of its kind in the country.

Support

The greatest challenge for all school systems developing technology programs is providing adequate support for the technology. To address this concern, Boston has worked on several fronts, including the development of a remote management system for all its networks, and implementation of a sophisticated Help Desk system which responds to many problems over the phone and deploys teams of technicians to resolve others. Boston anticipates that a major source of support for its technology will be its own BPS students. Though partnerships with Microsoft, 3Com and Cisco and other technology companies, Boston's Offices of School-to-Career and Instructional Technology have developed courses and apprenticeships for students ranging from A+ computer repair to networking, and systems operation. After school and during vacations, students work as apprentices to BPS technicians, supporting the technology in schools. BPS is developing a 13^th and 14^th year program in collaboration with CityYear and Americorps for our graduates to continue their work as stipended interns in the schools, and at the same time continuing their technical training.

Partnerships

Boston Public Schools has received tremendous support for its technology programs. The LINC Plan has raised more than $38.75 million dollars, including $15.75 from private partners, and $23 million in grants. Major business partners include 3Com, Microsoft, HiQ, Intel, Bell Atlantic, Boston Edison, and more than 100 other companies.

Awards:

The LINC Boston Plan has won the following awards:

• National League of Cities 1998 Innovations Award
• Massachusetts Software Council 1998 Innovator Award
• John Hancock 1998 Innovations in Education Award
• Macy 1996 Leading Boston into the 21^st Century Award
• Nominee for Smithsonian Institution 1999 Innovation Award