Education IT News — April 7, 2014
By Amy Taylor, contributing writer
In the news, Reno, NV, schools are leveraging data to focus on improvements in bottom-ranked schools, and New York is evaluating its best use of student data to select technology tools without infringing on student privacy. Also, school security extend to buses in Dallas County, TX, that are now equipped with thumbprint readers and “pedophile cameras.”
Data Fuels New Plan To Improve School Performance
Reno Gazette-Journal reported that the districts are turning to data in attempts to help lower performing schools. Reno-area schools plan to focus on improving school accountability and use data to closely track and influence instruction at bottom-ranked schools. Data is at the core of the entire plan and those schools that don’t see improvement could see staffing and other changes.
Latest School Security Measures Focus On School Buses In Dallas County
The latest high-tech security features on Dallas County Schools’ newest buses includes thumbprint readers to keep track of riders and “pedophile cameras” to keep students safe, reports the Dallas Morning News. Dallas County Schools worked with Force Multiplier Solutions to develop BusGuard, an upgradeable security system that is able to address the needs of individual districts.
School Security Measures Keep Sex Offender Off Middle School Campus
Roanoke Times said that Roanoke County’s new school security system prevented a convicted sex offender from entering the middle school. Visitors to the school must check in through its Lobby Guard security management system and swipe their ID cards, which the system then checks against the national sex offender registry.
Student Data Toes The Privacy-Versus-Productivity Line In New York
Poughkeepsie Journal reports that despite legislation prohibiting the Education Department from giving student information to private or third parties, an alternate path may be implored to help schools and districts access “technology tools” that will support teachers and students. New York sets out to improve the use of data.
High School Math Classes Launch Technology Pilot Program With Chromebooks
Hillsboro School District seeks to update its high school math materials, including curriculum and assigned texts reports The Oregonian, and its sights are set in technology. A six-week pilot project equips students with Chromebooks instead of textbooks. Additionally, Hillsboro leaders will partner with the Oregon Department of Education to ensure that curriculum materials meet Common Core standards.
Education IT Talking Points
Sheboygan Press Media discussed the technological advances and recent changes in public education Voices: Technology helps meet 21st century education challenges.
Meris Stansbury, Managing Editor for eCampus News, rounded up “5 must-haves for online assessments” that bring credibility to MOOCs. The list states that auto-proctoring, scalability, intelligent Q & A options, good service and credible analysis lend to the credibility of online education.
For more news and insights, visit BSMinfo’s Education IT Resource Center.