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Plan would put laptops in hands of students

Written by Laura Douglass, Times Reporter

Thursday, 18 February 2010

    A forward-thinking technology initiative that would place a laptop computer into the hands of every Moore County student in grades 8-12 over the next four years was presented to the Board of Education during its Monday, February 8 meeting.
    However, the bold plan comes with a lofty $3.8 million price tag.
    If approved the initiative would commence this Fall with intensive professional teacher development and an initial purchase of one laptop cart with thirty computers on-board for each Seventh grade team, one laptop cart for each elementary school, replacement of teacher’s classroom desktop computers with laptops, hiring of an instructional technology specialist, and wireless networking throughout all schools.
    The second, third, and fourth years of the initiative would provide additional laptop carts at elementary schools, additional technology staff and training, and a one-to-one laptop distribution to Eighth grade students beginning in 2011.
    Once fully phased-in, the program would utilize 5,000 laptops with parents defraying a portion of student expenses through a $25 technology fee for Eighth grade, and $50 fee each year of high school.
    Laptops used in the elementary and middle schools would remain on campus; however, 9-12 grade students would be assigned a laptop of their own responsibility to use throughout high school that could be taken home during the academic year.
    “Obviously, this is a considerable amount of money,” said Dr. Larry Upchurch, noting that without proper training for teachers, technology is useless in the classroom. “We must first take the time and effort to reeducate teachers how technology can help them with learners of the 21st century. This is a collaborative effort for all involved in the process and it could potentially revolutionize what we are all about.”
    Dr. Purser echoed his comments stating that undertaking such a bold technology program for county students was “not a matter of if but when.”

Arts Education
    Arts education curriculum in Moore County Schools features four subject areas; dance, theatre, visual arts, and music.
    Visual arts includes basic studies in color, shape, and line for elementary children through challenging work with graphic imaging and digital photography at the high school level.
    Music, dance, and theatre follow a similar model with basic movement and creativity at the lower grades and rigorous coursework and performance opportunities in the upper grades.
    “I believe arts education is a most significant portion of our curriculum,” said Dr. Susan Purser, Schools Superintendent. “It’s interesting to see how different students are turned on by different parts of the curriculum. We need to find ways to reach each student.”

Capital projects moving forward
    In addition to two new school facilities — West Pine Elementary and Crain’s Creek Middle — other school bond-funded projects are also moving forward including classroom additions and renovations at Highfalls, Robbins, Sandhills Farm Life, and Westmoore Elementary Schools.
    Upchurch reported that athletic improvements are also underway at North Moore and Pinecrest High Schools, Elise Middle, and Southern Middle School.

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