What's Next?

I just returned from the National Conference on Education in Houston (Texas not Delaware) sponsored by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA). This annual gathering of school superintendents from around the country is a great place to pick up ideas that may have some potential in Lake Forest.

I purchased a few books and stuffed a couple of bags with materials given away by vendors. I have pages and pages of notes. I am a serious conference attender as demonstrated by the fact that I attended 8 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. presentations on Sunday morning when I had to leave for the airport at 10:15. I even sent some of our staff annoying texts telling them about one of them.

Of the many great ideas and programs I learned about, there are two sticking in my head that will be topics of discussion with our staff and the Board. Are they ripe for implementation in Lake Forest School District?

The first is 1 to 1 computers. There are school districts in this country that have replaced textbooks with electronic media. Students are issued lap tops and access much of the information they need for school through the school servers and the internet. Yes, they take them home. Assignments are submitted electronically.

Of course there is much to be considered here - development of lesson plans and teaching units dependent upon the digital world; training teachers; infrastructure; not to mention costs. Do you buy or lease? What platform? Some districts partner with local businesses to make sure low income families get affordable internet access, too.

The reason why I think now may be the time is that the more access to the digital world benefits our children who have computers with high speed internet at home, the wider the gap between them and those of our children who do not. The digital divide is very real. You can’t send a kid to college these days without a laptop in the backpack. If we’re preparing them for college and career, they need to use the computer outside of the school lab.

The second idea sticking in my head is the Early College High School. Presently there are around 240 Early College High Schools in the United States. Their goal is to introduce all students to college level courses before they exit high school. I heard one presentation from a very successful district situated across the river from Mexico - 90% Hispanic and 95% poor.

The successful ones have found that 95% of their graduates complete high school with at least one college class under their belt. They learn that they can do college material. Many are able to leave high school with associate degrees, often at little cost to the family. Early College Schools see increases in graduation rates and decreases in drop-out rate.

I’m just thinking.