May 2004 — Industry Perspective

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Education Technology Helps Unite School Communities, Improve Academic Achievement

By Faye P. Taylor, Ed.D., National Project Director, Following the Leaders

The results of these assessments allow superintendents and supervisors to identify strengths and weaknesses within the district. They additionally help to make adjustments in order to assure that all students have equal access to quality education. These reports provide administrators with meaningful data, which may also be shared with policy-makers to help make better-informed decisions that result in increased academic achievement for all students.

Tapping into Technology

In small, rural school districts such as Virginia CUSD #64 in Illinois, Superintendent Mike Lane and his two principals recognize that programs like Following the Leaders act as a much-needed addition to their team. With limited resources, the Virginia district simply d'es not have the capacity to track, report and analyze student progress; yet, this information remains vital to improving academic achievement and meeting NCLB requirements. Annual state assessments in Illinois recently showed that the district has been low in mathematics. However, knowing that information was not enough to correct the problem, teachers and school leaders would ask: Is it computation? Is it word problems? And previously, the answer would have been: We're not sure. Now, technology tools are helping to answer these questions and keep rural districts on par with the performance of districts with greater access to learning resources.

By tapping into technology tools, entire school communities are coming together in support of measured student achievement. Schools using technology to enhance learning are driving significant improvements nationwide. They are also helping redefine the relationships between students and teachers, teachers and parents, as well as parents and school leaders. Feedback between these groups remains critical to breaking down barriers and creating an education system that places a premium on the academic success of all students. Without technology, these relationships would be restricted and gains unrealized.

Contact Information
Education Leaders Council
(202) 261-2600
www.educationleaders.org

Cite this Site

Faye P. Taylor, Ed.D., National Project Director, Following the Leaders, "Education Technology Helps Unite School Communities, Improve Academic Achievement," T.H.E. Journal, 5/1/2004, http://www.thejournal.com/articles/16778

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