finds its place in Silicon Valley schools Three very different districts in Silicon Valley
explain the strategies they use to enhance learning through technology.
T 16 Leadership
echnology today is poised to usher in the best of times. Ex- ploring what other districts do highlights the common themes
as well as the unique challenges. Let’s learn from three districts in Silicon
Valley – three very distinct districts – small, large and in between. Basic aid and revenue limit. Charter and not. Each setting sheds light on the larger issues and offers strategies to consider.
Snapshot: Portola Valley School District Carol Piraino, superintendent Kim Brown, director of technology
nPVSD by the numbers: 706 students, K-8 2 sites plus district office 1 percent free/reduced lunch Basic aid district 50 certificated staff, 25 classified staff 1.75 technology staff 800 desktops, laptops, netbooks, iPads Funding: General fund, eRate, parcel tax, education foundation
Overall philosophy and vision For PVSD, technology is integrated
with instruction and is not a stand-alone or add-on. “It’s not about acquisition,” says Technology Director Kim Brown. “We ask ourselves, ‘Can this technology help the stu- dents achieve a level of creativity and critical thinking and help them articulate knowl- edge in multiple ways?’” Brown is often included in the district’s
curriculum initiatives, not to advance tech- nology tools, but as an essential participant in discussions about learning. “For us, it’s about the learning. Twenty-first century skills are not about technology tools. They’re about thinking, collaborating, problem solving. Tech may help you get there faster, but tech is not the point.”
Organization Brown has a small staff of 1.75 FTEs. One
handles the advanced trouble-shooting, By Paula Hundley and Marie Scigliano
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