July 2007 — Case Studies
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Curriculum-Based Reform :: West Virginia
“Our children must be able to access information through technology, to think critically, to solve problems, and to communicate as members of a collaborative team.”—John Curry, Greenbrier County Public Schools
Working within the framework of 21st-century learning, Greenbrier County addressed all three areas of need cited by the advisory committee. The district has put more than 700 new computers in place over the past two years; has offered nearly 100 staff-development opportunities that directly target technology tools available to county educators; and has high school students who have set up shop to repair and maintain computers in their schools, maintaining a database of cost savings to the county.
“The Governor’s Advisory Council really got to the heart of what we need,” says Joseph Robertson, Greenbrier County secondary coach for math and science. “I know the state is working to address these areas, but we didn’t think there was any reason the county shouldn’t address them as well.”
State leadership and initiatives have been key to making changes possible. The district’s high school students take online classes through a Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation grant. The grant funds the first two years of a computer training program that seeks to prepare students to take the Computing Technology Industry Association’s A+ certification test, enabling schools to establish strong technology-repair programs with students at the helm. Greenbrier hires a certain number of these students to work during the summer to reimage, repair, and set up computers in all 14 county schools, under the direction of adults trained by county personnel. Students gain practical experience in a safe environment, and they positively impact their school system.
“This program gives our students a sense of ownership and accomplishment,” says Chad Burns, technology systems specialist for the county. “They’re not just reading about computer repair; they’re actually putting it into practice. It’s about self-sufficiency and extending one’s horizons.”
Junior Corey Howard’s thoughts are representative of the positive reviews the program has received from students: “To have this opportunity means you have to be responsible and have respect for your surroundings, including teachers, students, computers, and the tools provided to us. This program gives students more choices for majoring in some technological field.”
The county recently received another EETT grant from the West Virginia Department of Education that combines technology integration in four core areas at the middle school level—math, science, English, and social studies—with project- based learning. The grant project aims to build students’ pride in themselves and their heritage as they acquire 21st-century skills.
