April 10th, 2010 Leveling the Playing Field with Technology The story of the 24-7 Program at Cathedral City Elementary

Palm Springs Unified School District Located in Cathedral City, CA Approximately 850 Students K - 5 Elementary 90 % Hispanic 90% Socioeconomically Disadvantaged 45% English Language Learners

CA State Accountability California ‘Academic Performance Index’ - API California Standards Test - CST Schools scores between 200 to 1,000 Goal for all CA schools to 800

Cathedral City Elementary Cathedral City Elementary - API 559 Similar School Ranking - 4 (10 high) Underperforming School (IIUSP to PI) Significant Achievement Gap Initial Challenge

Creating The Vision Language Arts? Math? ELD? Required - IIUSP three year academic plan We asked ourselves - “With everything equal, have we leveled the playing field?” Where do we start?!?! NO!!!

Creating The Vision Parent Survey Data - 33% Home Computers Of the 33% only half with Internet (16.5%) Student Survey - Of 16.5% w/Internet only half were allowed to use it! Only 8.25% students with full access to technology 92% of Student Population - Not On Level Playing Field!

We Felt Like This...

The Vision “Cathedral City Elementary will eliminate the digital divide by providing e very student with two full years of 2 4 hour access to technology.” K Basic Skills & Functions Minimum 60 min. per week Instruction & Student-Created Projects Minimum 3 hours per week Laptops for Every Student “24/7 Access”

Getting Started Two computers per room - Ratio one computer per every 12.5 students Several Apple IIe’s Staff Development COST!!! Assessing the Challenges

Getting Started Created a 4 year plan School Plan Budget (Categoricals) Fundraising Campaign BUDGET - BUDGET - BUDGET!!! It can happen, just plan it out!

Getting Started Invite community leaders to visit during school hours - Mayor, City Council, Law Enforcement, Chamber of Commerce, TV and Newspapers, Local Business Owners, Medical Professionals, etc. Structure the visits with student guides - 3 to 4 ‘guided tours’ - 8 to 10 minutes each Each classroom with prepared presentations Fundraising Campaign - ‘Community Action Walk’

Getting Started Fundraising Campaign - ‘Community Action Walk’

4 Year Plan Staff Collaboration & Planning: 1. Create a Technology ‘Philosophy’ - Vehicle for instruction 2. Incorporate into Core Instruction - Lesson Plans 3. Generate Student-Led Projects 4. Eliminate Technology Fear Year 1

4 Year Plan Infrastructure 1. Share Vision with ETIS Dept. 2. Hire Computer Lab Technician 3. Servers 4. Wireless Connectivity 5. Furniture Year 1

4 Year Plan Computer Lab - Through TIME WARNER and Desert Hospital (Community Action Walk!) - For K-1 & 2-3 Vision Begin 4 yr. Lease to Own contract with Apple Macbooks Apple Staff Development - 10 Teachers/2 Admin/Computer Specialist - 1 Week Year 2 Year 3

4 Year Plan Staff Development

4 Year Plan Year 4 “The Rollout”

4 Year Plan Year 4 “The Rollout”

4 Year Plan Year 4 “The Rollout”

4 Year Plan Year 4 “The Rollout”

Program Tools Keynote iMovie iPhoto Podcast English in a Flash Achieve Kid Biz

Differentiated Reading Instruction in One Classroom Reaches every student at their individual level - Lexile Assessment & Student Motivation Teaches students one on one at their level Automated Technology - Easy way for teachers to practice inclusive differentiation All students read same topic and can participate in class discussion and group assignments

Achieve Kid Biz Access from Home Daily account Thought Questions Perfect for ELL

Achieve Kid Biz Kid Biz Mastery Levels Cub Level – 25 Lessons Cougar Level – 50 Lessons Tiger Level – 75 Lessons *Lion Level – 100 Lessons *Master Lion Level – 150 Lessons *Lion & Master Lion Levels will include pizza parties and restaurant certificates to be awarded at the end of every trimester: 10/26/07 – 2/29/08 – 6/26/08

Achieve Kid Biz CCE students using Kid Biz between August 2006 & February 2009 averaged a Lexile gain of 199 points, more than one and a half times the expected gain of 130 The Results

Achieve Kid Biz CCE Year-by-Year Lexile Gains

Student Samples

The Results? 196 API Points over seven years!!! Similar School Ranking = 8!! Out of Program Improvement in 2008!!!

THANK YOU!