BOE+FAQs


 * KCKPS Laptops for Learning - Frequently Asked Questions**


 * Why are we considering providing each high school student with a laptop computer?**

Laptops are powerful instructional tools that will: 1.) Increase instructional time by supporting outside of classroom work. 2.) Provide differentiated instruction by allowing students to learn in multiple ways (videos, tutorials, differentiated review, tutoring, drill and practice) at their instructional level. 3.) Prepare our students to be college ready through access to college on-line college information, applications, and scholarships. In addition, web based learning has become a way of life in college classes and our students will become comfortable and confident in that arena before they enter college.

We’ve realized that our students learn differently than most of us did. They would rather create, produce and learn through digital media than in traditional ways. At the same time, our society is becoming more global: we live in a world in which everyone contributes to the information and creation of products. We need to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to be productive participants in society. We feel continuous access to technology would be a key tool in helping our kids reach higher levels of success, thus closing the gap.

Not only would our students reach higher levels of success, they will have the skills necessary to compete in a global society resulting in a positive impact on the Kansas City, Kansas economy.

All high school students will be assigned a laptop and will be expected to have the laptop in their possession during the school day. The laptop is considered to be part of their required instructional materials.
 * Who will receive a laptop?**

Students whose parents have given written consent will be allowed to take the laptop off school property. The school district encourages all parents to consider this option. The school district sees the laptops as an instructional tool, much like a textbook. Taking the laptop home will allow the student to extend their learning beyond the school day.
 * Will students be able to take the laptops home?**

We understand that our students will be carrying a valuable piece of equipment with them. The laptops will have two important technology mechanisms that will enhance student safety. 1.) Each laptop will be equiped with a non-destructable label that when peeled off will damage the computer and reveal an engraved 'stolen computer' and phone number. Click on this link http://www.stoptheft.com to view video for more information. 2.) Each laptop will have a GPS tracking device that will allow us to identify the location of the laptop. 3.) We will be able to disable the laptop, via the internet, and render it inoperable. These mechanisms will make the laptops virtually worthless and less attractive to potential thieves.
 * Students will be walking home, riding buses, and out in the community with a valuable piece of technology. What are we doing to ensure our student’s safety when carrying the laptops outside of school?**

Currently in our district we check out musical instruments that often exceed $1000 in value. The District realizes that sending students home with an expensive instrument creates a possibility of where the instrument could be lost, damaged or stolen. However, it is a commonly held belief in our community that the value that our students get in practice outside of the school day outweighs the risk.

When we distribute the laptops we will be discussing the safety implications with the students and the parents. The safety of our students is of the utmost concern to all of us and while no one can guarantee student safety, we are committed to providing safeguards for our students.

We envision providing each high school student with a laptop computer with which they will be able to be productive and creative, both at school and at home. Access can provide opportunities to extend the learning experience beyond the school day, and provide a variety of resources to which students may not currently have access. Students would be using the laptops and resources to conduct research, develop projects, and create products which demonstrate their learning. Parents as well as students can use the laptops to communicate with teachers.
 * What is the vision?**

No. There is no technology that will replace an effective teacher in the classroom. The laptop is a powerful instructional tool that will support teachers in targeting and differentiating instruction.
 * Will laptops eliminate the need for effective teachers?**

Parents will have the opportunity to see the laptops and ask questions at the upcoming Family Advocacy Days, August 22-23. During this time, each high school will have laptops available for parents to see, use, and ask questions about. Parents will also be asked to fill out a survey as to their opinion on providing laptops for all the high school students. The survey data will be forwarded to the Board.
 * How will parents be involved?**

If the laptops are approved, parent informational sessions will be held at each high school site. At these sessions parents will be able to learn about the instructional power of the laptops, how they can support the learning through the laptop at home, and how to monitor the laptop use.

With the launch of ‘School Loop’ the laptops will provide access to student information (grades, test scores, homework, benchmarks) and provide a communication vehicle between the parent and the teacher.

Our high school students will be exiting our system soon, and in order for them to be successful in a world outside of school, they must be able to use technology. This initiative is just part of a larger picture of how technology will be integrated throughout all levels. In grades PreK to 8, we will provide access to a variety of technologies. Providing a laptop to take home for high school students is a natural “next step” in our process. Over time, as some type of consistent technology access is built into every level, our students at all levels will be more competitive with students in other districts.
 * Why are we providing laptops for just high school students?**

Apple computers can run most of the same software that our students are currently using with PCs. The tools needed for creativity (digital images, networking) are built-in components of Apple machines. An additional cost would be incurred to provide these tools on PCs. We, also, find that it is adults who have difficulty switching between the platforms of PCs and Apples. Students are able to do it most of the time with few problems. (Please refer to the “Reasons for Going with Apple” document for more detail.)
 * If most businesses use PCs and Microsoft Office, why are we going with Apple Computers?**

All Word, Excel and PowerPoint files you have on the current teacher PCs will work on the Apple computers. All files will be backed up and transferred to the Apple computers. Files that are currently in user folders on the server can be added as well.
 * Will the files that teachers have currently on their PC work on the Apple Computers?**

Access to the Internet will often help with communication or research; however, students can still be productive with the laptop without access to the Internet.
 * Will all students need Internet access at home to do their work?**

Staff development would be ongoing and based on two needs—one is learning how to use the various tools that are available (Digital Literacy) while the other is much more important and focuses on how technology can be seamlessly infused into the learning process. Staff development will guide teachers in developing ways technology can help student achieve benchmarks. At the same time, our students will be learning how to effectively use the tools and we foresee them surpassing the teachers’ abilities. This provides a unique opportunity for our students to teach each other as well their parents and teachers. We envision opportunities for parents to learn how to use the equipment as well, however, we have to remember that the purpose of the laptop is to support the students’ learning.
 * What training will be provided?**

From a technology viewpoint, we are required to filter inappropriate sites according to e-rate regulations. In addition, no matter whether the access is through a cable or through a wireless system, access is limited by the same filters.
 * How are we going to stop students from going to “inappropriate” sites since the computers will be wireless?**

However, this question covers a bigger issue. Students are going to have the opportunity to access the Internet as part of their adult life. We will need to educate our students in terms of “good digital citizenship” behaviors as well guide them through proper and effective use of technology.

The students will be expected to purchase insurance for the laptops through the school district. The annual premium is $50 ($25 for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch) per year with a $100 deductible, depending on the extent and type of damage. For families for whom the cost may be hardship, the student may complete 8 hours of community service for cost of the premium and 16 hours of community service for the deductible if necessary.
 * How are we going to cover costs when computers are damaged, lost or stolen?**

That is not the intention of this initiative. Our library system has for some time incorporated technology as an integral part of its system. Our system is a good example of how libraries can mix digital media with books and other forms of media. Some of schools that have instituted laptop learning initiatives have a mix of textbooks and digital media. Also, the Kansas Technology Standards, which are to be released soon, are a component of the Kansas Library and Media Standards so the vision is for the two to naturally work hand-in-hand. In terms of textbooks, the intent is not to replace what we have, but to enhance what exists. In the future, it is possible that some content areas will adopt online text books or use other digital media, but that remains a possibility, not a requirement.
 * Will purchasing laptops result in the elimination of textbooks and our libraries?**

The district will reallocate existing technology funds to pay for the cost of the laptops.
 * How is the District paying for the new laptops?**

Pending Board of Education approval on August 28, the timeline for the distribution of laptops is as follows: Laptops will be ordered August 29. Buildings will begin hosting parent information and premium payment nights by SLC September 10 - October 12. At the meetings, parents and students begin prepaying fo the insurance premium (or sign up for student community service option) JC Harmon--Sept 10 - 18 Wyandotte--Sept 16 - 21 Washington--Sept 24 - Oct 2 Schlagle--Oct 1 - 8 Fairfax Campus--Oct 1 - 8 Sumner--Oct 8 - 12 Fairfax Learning Center--October 8 - 12 Deadline for prepayment of premium for insurance October 12 Deadline for Building-based technicians to report to assigned buildings--October 1 Machines delivered, imaged and security measures installed--October 15 Anticipated distribution of Laptops begins the week of October 29--laptops will be issued to all students along with a laptop distribution; those who have paid the insurance premium or signed the agreement to perform community service. The remaining students will check in and check out their laptops daily. Anticipated distribution will take approximately two days at each school. Family Advocacy Day--November 7--Student led parent training will be offered at each high school
 * What is the timeline for the distribution of laptops to the students?**

Each student will require their own computer because the computers will be used throughout the day.
 * I have two students here. Will they need two or will they have to share?**

The computers are programmed direct access to the Internet through the same filters no matter where they are when accessing the Internet. If the students cannot access the site at school, they will not be able to access the site anywhere else.
 * How you will control the prohibited sites?**

Access to Internet is filtered. Students are not allowed to access inappropriate sites. Student use is monitored at the district level as well. Students who fail to properly use the computers will be subjected to the consequences of the district’s code of conduct.
 * How are they monitored and controlled?**

Each student will have his or her own login and password. Students are encouraged to keep their passwords private. However, we encourage students to share it with their parents so that they can monitor the work of their children.
 * Do students have their own ID to log into their own PC?**

The computers will be incorporated as they fit within the curriculum. The first change will be that students will use the computers to compose their assignments. At the same time, the computers will provide access to resources to assist them in furthering their learning. We feel that this second component will grow over time and become the main focus of the use of the computers. However, the learning of the curriculum is the main focus and use the computers will support this, not compete with it.
 * How and when it will be integrated with the course syllabus/curriculum? Will the laptops interrupt kids from learning?**

The training of the students will be ongoing. Students will receive initial training in the basic use of programs and file management. The students will learn the components of various programs, as they are needed for their work.
 * How much training will the students receive?**

The best form of protection is through education. Most students encounter others through emails and chat rooms not associated with schools. As part of the education in responsible use of technology, we will inform the students of the dangers of engaging with others online. Chat areas and emails provided by the district are “closed” systems in which the persons participating are regulated. Parents are encouraged to monitor their child’s use of email and chat rooms at home.
 * How would you protect the kid from perverts?**

School Loop will provide parents with access to the grades of students anywhere of they can access the Internet, throughout the year. Parents will be provided access once the system has been tested and a pilot for the system has been completed.
 * I can really check on my child’s grades?**

For assignments that require the Internet, students can “web archive” any sites needed for the assignment and will be able to access the information from those sites only from home.
 * What if we don’t have Internet at home?**

Just as when students forget their other materials for school, they will have to try to complete their work as much as possible using traditional resources such as paper and pencil. We anticipate that the use of the computers in the classroom will motivate the students to bring their own computer each day.
 * What if student forgets it? Does the student not work that day?**

The MacBooks will work with most printers. Drivers for some older printer may have to be downloaded.
 * Are the computers compatible with printers?**

Each student will be provided with a backpack designed to carry a laptop. A variety of bags will be available so that the backpack does not advertise that the student is carrying a laptop.
 * Will the students be provided with bags for the computers?**