"All things are difficult before they are easy." - Thomas Fuller
New Tech Q & A
From where did the money come for the New Tech Program?
As part of Race to the Top, districts could apply for 5 possible grants for school change. SCS applied for the New Tech Network grant which originally was for 4 schools at $1 million each. The state decided to give the grant to 5 schools instead of 4 so SCS received $750,000. This money is for support, technology and professional development. Along with Shelby, the other districts receiving the grant were: Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District, Van Wert City Schools, Winton Woods City School District and Zanesville City Schools. There are a total of 10 New Tech High Schools in Ohio.
What did the Chromebooks cost?
At the time we purchased the chromebooks, the MSRP was $549.00, but since we purchased them in bulk, we actually paid $429.00 each. This version of the chromebook has wifi and also 5 gb of Verizon 3G network per month.
We are currently waiting to hear the repair cost for broken screens. As of Oct. 23, 2012, Google has come out with a new Chromebook for $249.00. This was not available at the time of our purchase. We need to compare the specs on this new version with the version we currently have to see if they are comparable. If they are comparable, then it may be cheaper to replace broken chromebooks with this new version.
There are a lot of group projects. Can a student be “fired” from their group?
Yes, a student can be fired from their group. There is a series of steps that the group and teachers go through before the “firing” occurs. Once the student is fired, it is his/her responsibility to complete the entire project on his/her own.
This is the general procedure for being dismissed from the group:
Consequences for Breaking Norms
1. First warning is given for breaking any established norms. This warning is documented and includes the next steps so a student can avoid a second warning.
2. Second warning is given for breaking any established norms. This warning is documented and includes the next steps so a student can avoid a third warning.
3. Third warning – Meeting with teacher.
4. Dismissal from group – Upon dismissal, the group member is entitled to only the work he or she has done to that point, and remaining group members must decide how to complete the remaining tasks as well as the work lost by the individual’s firing. All future assignments for the dismissed member are completed as an individual. Individuals dismissed from the group may not form or join another group.
Is there some way to block websites on the laptops, specifically Twitter and YouTube?
As a district, we have filters in place to prevent inappropriate websites. We started the year with both Twitter and YouTube available for students and staff. We had some issues with Twitter use and it has been blocked. It was blocked because we found a lot of inappropriate language being used. YouTube is still open because there are many good tutorials and content specific videos that staff use in their classes. Students are also creating video projects and posting them to YouTube to share. We will continue to monitor all website usage.
How and when can cellphones be used during the school day?
We allow students to use their cellphones between classes and at lunch. Teachers may have specific reasons for cellphone use in their classes such as conducting a poll using a site like Poll Everywhere.
How are the Honors classes treated in this format?
There will be no difference in our offering of honors/weighted courses. They will continue to be calculated the same way we always have, by adding an extra quality point for the quarter grades and by adding .5 to the cumulative gpa. We also will be offering the same weighted courses as always. We actually are looking at expanding our offerings by adding AP courses. New Tech will have no bearing on honors courses or grades.
I understand where the money came from for this program. How much did we have to pay to "get" this program? I have read most schools had to pay $400,000. I also see the money being used for stipends. What is the typical stipend? When does it look the like grant money will run out and what is the plan after that for any additional expenses that would be associated with this program after the grant money runs out?
Our cost was approximately $450,000 over a 3 year period. The main costs are for Echo and the professional development we receive. The grant we received from the Ohio Department of Education was specifically for New Tech. There were four other grant opportunities that were available to schools throughout the state. The grant money is used for costs associated with the program, including the laptops and any additional costs involved in the training. Since the teachers had to spend a week over the summer in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for the New Schools Training, we did have to pay a stipend to the teachers. Stipends are only paid to teachers when they work outside of their contracted day or schedule, such as over the summer. Our plan is to have additional teachers attend New Tech training this summer and the remaining teachers would be trained by our staff in subsequent years. After the summer of 2013 we will have 20 teachers trained. The grant does expire after the 2013-14 school year. At that time if we decide to continue with the New Tech model there is a cost, but it is significantly less. There are many factors that go into determining the actual cost, such as how many Echo accounts we need and how much more professional development we need. We will make the decision to continue at that time. With the new academic content standards and end of course exams coming in a few years, we will still use project based learning (PBL) as our main instructional model. I think it is also safe to say that if we decide to leave New Tech, we will still use many of the instructional practices associated with the model.
I have found numerous resources that critical reading and writing are affected negatively by data and test-driven programs such as New Tech. What does SCS plan to do to keep that trend from happening in our high school?
The Common Core curriculum that has been adopted by nearly every state have a heavy emphasis with writing across the curriculum. Students will not just have to find an answer to a problem or question, but they will have to explain how the came up with the answer and even justify why their answer is correct.
The New Tech Network has embarked on several initiatives to support teacher and administrator alignment to the Common Core curriculum:
Were NewTech personnel recently at SHS speaking with students? If so, how many students and what was the purpose?
One of our coaches from New Tech was at SHS on November 15. As part of his visit and feedback, he requested to meet with a group of students. They met for about a half hour and expressed their opinions.
Will all NewTech students be surveyed before (calendar) year's end about their NT experience thus far? Will each parent be surveyed as well?
We have not made any plans yet for a survey but that doesn't mean we won't use a type of survey for feedback.
Another question briefly hinted at this but I will ask in a straightforward manner. Are the NewTech teachers at SHS currently receiving any extra pay, compensation of any sort, or stipend for being NewTech teachers? If so, how much per pay period ( which I will assume is bi-weekly) ? Also if so, does this continue in the event that NewTech does not?
No SHS teacher is receiving extra compensation due to New Tech. All compensation is regulated by the Negotiated Agreement.
Are any other SCS employees, including all administrators, receiving any extra pay or compensation as a direct result of this program being instituted?
No employee-teacher, administrator or anyone else- is receiving extra compensation due to New Tech.
Once this grant runs out or the necessary planning begins to either remain with NewTech or resume traditional methods, will we the parents have any say in the matter outside of the ballot box?
We have one more year in the awarded grant. We will begin the discussions on how to move forward in the 2013-14 school year. Even if we decide not to stay a member of the New Tech Network, we will continue to use project based learning.
If SCS had to completely fund NewTech, how much more money would it cost the district/taxpayers annually for the versus the traditional method?
This is not easily answered. We will pay New Tech approximately $450,000 for the three years, but that was made clear when we applied for the grant. The New Tech grant has allowed us to move forward to meet the requirements of teaching the new Academic Content Standards. The district would have more costs in the implementation of the new standards, but I cannot figure out what the costs would have been. A large cost would have been in professional development, which is covered by the grant. The laptops would have been an expense that I am quite confident the Board would not have funded. As in most Race to the Top initiatives, every school will have to make changes and move ahead. Districts that applied for and received Race to the Top funds have some money to help implement these changes.
If SHS were to abandon NewTech at the completion of this school year what sort of penalties would SCS incur?
The grant is a federal grant funded by Race to the Top funds. I know that we would have to return the money for the final year, but I am not sure if there would be any additional penalties.
Are there rooms currently being constructed at the "new" SHS designed specifically for NewTech? If NewTech is dropped, stopped, or not funded and the program ceases will those rooms require remodeling or will they still be able to be used as traditional classrooms?
We were very careful to design the new building to allow us to teach into and beyond the 21st century. The design process started before we even applied for the grant. As I mentioned before, we will have to continue to implement project based learning in order for our students to be successful on the new assessments. The new building will allow us more flexibility than we currently have.
Will students that have to replace the $429 laptops now be permitted to replace them with the new $249 version that is virtually the same?
We are looking at the specifications of the new ChromeBooks. The $249 version came out recently, after we had already purchased the original laptops. Our biggest concern is that the two machines are comparable. We also want to make sure that the district does not lose money on the replacement of the machines.
Has there been any discussion on UN-assigning laptops (and the risk involved to the students and parents)from the students/parents that don't need/want them?
We are currently working on a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy. At this time we are not able to allow students to bring their own device and connect to our network. My hope is that sometime in the second semester we can implement a BYOD policy. Currently if a student does not want to bring their laptop home or if a parent does not want their child to bring the laptop home, the student can check the device into the library where it will be plugged in and kept secure. Students can also check in their device to the library when they go to lunch, gym class, or any other area where they are worried about loss or damage.
A parent panel was mentioned at the beginning of the school year, but we have not yet seen one. Who is going to be on this panel, when is it forming, and how are the parents chosen? The same question applies to the student advisory panel. When will this be formed and who will be on it?
We will implement a student and parent panel, but have not had the time to get them up and running. My goal is to start this in the second semester.
Were all freshmen required to sign up for Sci-Tech? Were they given any other options? Is this class required?
All freshmen are required to take SciComm. SciComm is a combined course of physical science and applied communication. This is the only class we offer in physical science.
By requiring all freshmen to take SciComm, you are forcing them to take a non-required class (applied communications). How can you justify taking away an elective opportunity for the students and forcing them to take a class that they do not need for graduation?
We have required courses in the past that were not required for graduation. We are teaching students skills that they will need to be successful the rest of their high school career and beyond. These skills are important enough to make sure that all students take the class. Due to the flexibility of block scheduling as well as the other options available now like flex credit, students will have very few problems taking the classes they want.
Also, in the past, all 9th grade students were required to take Reading/Writing Lab, which was also an elective English class. This is the course that ultimately was transformed into Applied Communications. Reading/Writing Lab was a 1/2 credit, and Applied Communications is 1 credit; therefore, the net addition to a student's class load is 1/2 a credit to add these essential skills.
Please clarify from the last New Tech meeting regarding the online opt out class. If I recall it was stated that you could not attend a 4-year college in the state of Ohio if you chose this option, is this correct?
I was referring to the opt-out provision of the Ohio Core Curriculum. The Ohio Core changed the number of credits that are required and also changed what courses are required, such as Algebra II, beginning with the Class of 2014. Students can opt out of the requirements of the Ohio Core, but they would not be able to be enrolled in many colleges. This opt out provision has nothing to do with on-line courses or anything else related to New Tech.
I would like some clarification on the NT people speaking with our children. What specifically were they asked?
On to the new SHS building question and construction of NT rooms. Could you clarify that as well please? I fail to see a concrete answer within that response. Reading it I would assume that Yes they are being constructed and No we would not need further construction if NT is dropped.
As far as the new building, we began planning for the building long before we signed the agreement to be a New Tech school. We visited numerous schools that had a 21st century design because we wanted this building to be designed to accommodate the changes that we knew were coming in education. The classrooms will allow us to use project based learning much better than our current rooms. Whether or not we are a New Tech school had nothing to do with the classroom design.
You mention new academic content standards. Could you provide a link to these new standards for both, teachers and students?
Ohio Department of Education
(There are also 2 links on the Home Page of this site, near the bottom, for Common Core.)
Using your answer to the previous question pertaining to costs is it safe to say that NT costs SCS 150k/year over and above traditional schooling?
New Tech is not costing the Shelby City Schools any money. The costs are being covered by the grant from the Ohio Department of Education.
Touching on parents having any say whether NT continues and the response, I am reading that as a no. Correct? Can you explain why our input, like in a fair survey for example, bears no weight in our children's education and what we as taxpayers and parents want? I believe a survey of all parents and students would be very informative as long as the survey is fair and not a biased one-sided tool with a predetermined outcome. As a parent I would like to see this done with both, parents and students. Is there a valid reason this can't happen in a timely manner rather than not having any plans to do so?
I did not say we were not going to do a survey. We may very well conduct a survey, but the difficult part is constructing a survey that is non-biased as well as getting enough people to respond to a survey to make the responses valid. This is something that we will continue to study.
Parents are getting ready to discuss options with their children for next year. What classes are going to be New Tech classes for next year, and at what levels?
While we are still in the planning stages for next year, our initial steps are to have geometry, English, biology and health.( Sophomore Level) The American Studies course will also still exist. We are looking now at classes at the junior level.
If questions and answers are going to be posted anonymously why do you require a first and last name to submit a question? I think this might deter people from asking questions.
To insure that we are getting valid questions. Mr. Gies answers all questions. Parents are welcome to send questions via this site or call at any time.
Touching on the laptops again. You remark that the district doesn't want to lose money if the 249.00 version is purchased. What money would the district be losing or what would the district be "out"? Weren't these provided through grant monies?
I used the wrong term previously. The district would not be losing money, but I want to make sure that our grant money is used wisely. If the $249 version of the ChromeBook is not a comparable model with the original laptops purchased, then I do not want to replace the orginials with a lesser model.
"New Tech is not costing the Shelby City Schools any money. The costs are being covered by the grant from the Ohio Department of Education. " is your answer to another one of my questions. Couldn't the same be said for the computers?
The computers were paid for by the grant.
More on the computers. Can someone provide a valid reason that computers are still assigned to children that have no use for them outside of the applicable classroom? Can someone also provide a valid reason that there is simply not a bank of them available to use in and during the applicable class as needed by those that do not wish to have them assigned to their children?
As I mentioned before, we simply do not have the capability to store and charge the number of laptops that we would need to have only a classroom supply. We do have the capability to have students check their laptops into the library if they do not want to take them home or to a class like gym or Ag- some class where they are not using the laptops. If a parent does not want their child to take their computer home, they can bring their laptop to the library and we will lock it up and charge it. We have a cart that is capable of holding 30 computers.
We are currently working on developing a policy that will allow students to bring their own device to school. This takes time because we have to write a policy that will cover any issues next year when this building becomes a grade 5-8 middle school. Once we have this policy in place students may use their own device instead of a school issued computer. I would like to see us complete this policy and begin to implement the BYOD before spring break.
How many computers to date have been damaged? How much money has been spent by the district in repairs?
This is posted and updated on the New Tech Website. None.
How many students are currently enrolled at SHS as Freshmen? Sophomores?
We currently have 151 freshmen and 143 sophomores.
How many freshmen are Not taking a "required" NT class or classes?
We currently have one freshman who is taking courses on-line instead of in our traditional courses.
How many sophomores are not taking a "required" NT class or classes?
None
Regarding the freshmen and sophomores not taking NT classes, why aren't they? Were they "thrown out" of NT?
There are circumstances behind each student that I cannot go into on this site.
What type of class are these students taking?
We use Aventa On-line Learning for credit recovery, AP courses and for credit courses.
Who is covering the cost of these other methods? SCS? Grant money (aka SCS)?
We are using a combination of funds to pay for Aventa, including Race to the Top funds and some general funds. The purpose of Aventa is not for taking courses for credit. It was established to provide credit recovery options for students who failed in a traditional course and for those students who could not fit a course into their schedule.
Will SCS provide and pay for alternative means for parents that do not wish for their children to be a part of NT?
Parents are welcome to explore a Flex Credit option. This option has been in place for the past few years. As part of this option, it is the responsibility of the parent to develop an alternative plan for a course or courses. The plan has to be approved by the school. The parents and student are then responsible for carrying out the plan, which includes meeting all approved dates and projects. The student must be making adequate progress in order to meet the requirements for eligibility for athletics according to OHSAA policy. Any costs for this option are incurred by the parents/student.
How many freshmen received Failing grades for the 1st 9 weeks in NT classes?
For the 2nd 9 weeks? For answers regarding student grades see the grade chart.
How many freshmen received a "D" average for the 1st 9 weeks in NT classes? For the 2nd 9 weeks?
For answers regarding student grades see the grade chart.
How many sophomores received Failing grades for the 1st 9 weeks in NT classes? For the 2nd 9 weeks?
For answers regarding student grades see the grade chart.
How many sophomores received a "D" average for the 1st 9 weeks in NT classes? For the 2nd 9 weeks?
For answers regarding student grades see the grade chart.
As part of Race to the Top, districts could apply for 5 possible grants for school change. SCS applied for the New Tech Network grant which originally was for 4 schools at $1 million each. The state decided to give the grant to 5 schools instead of 4 so SCS received $750,000. This money is for support, technology and professional development. Along with Shelby, the other districts receiving the grant were: Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District, Van Wert City Schools, Winton Woods City School District and Zanesville City Schools. There are a total of 10 New Tech High Schools in Ohio.
What did the Chromebooks cost?
At the time we purchased the chromebooks, the MSRP was $549.00, but since we purchased them in bulk, we actually paid $429.00 each. This version of the chromebook has wifi and also 5 gb of Verizon 3G network per month.
We are currently waiting to hear the repair cost for broken screens. As of Oct. 23, 2012, Google has come out with a new Chromebook for $249.00. This was not available at the time of our purchase. We need to compare the specs on this new version with the version we currently have to see if they are comparable. If they are comparable, then it may be cheaper to replace broken chromebooks with this new version.
There are a lot of group projects. Can a student be “fired” from their group?
Yes, a student can be fired from their group. There is a series of steps that the group and teachers go through before the “firing” occurs. Once the student is fired, it is his/her responsibility to complete the entire project on his/her own.
This is the general procedure for being dismissed from the group:
Consequences for Breaking Norms
1. First warning is given for breaking any established norms. This warning is documented and includes the next steps so a student can avoid a second warning.
2. Second warning is given for breaking any established norms. This warning is documented and includes the next steps so a student can avoid a third warning.
3. Third warning – Meeting with teacher.
4. Dismissal from group – Upon dismissal, the group member is entitled to only the work he or she has done to that point, and remaining group members must decide how to complete the remaining tasks as well as the work lost by the individual’s firing. All future assignments for the dismissed member are completed as an individual. Individuals dismissed from the group may not form or join another group.
Is there some way to block websites on the laptops, specifically Twitter and YouTube?
As a district, we have filters in place to prevent inappropriate websites. We started the year with both Twitter and YouTube available for students and staff. We had some issues with Twitter use and it has been blocked. It was blocked because we found a lot of inappropriate language being used. YouTube is still open because there are many good tutorials and content specific videos that staff use in their classes. Students are also creating video projects and posting them to YouTube to share. We will continue to monitor all website usage.
How and when can cellphones be used during the school day?
We allow students to use their cellphones between classes and at lunch. Teachers may have specific reasons for cellphone use in their classes such as conducting a poll using a site like Poll Everywhere.
How are the Honors classes treated in this format?
There will be no difference in our offering of honors/weighted courses. They will continue to be calculated the same way we always have, by adding an extra quality point for the quarter grades and by adding .5 to the cumulative gpa. We also will be offering the same weighted courses as always. We actually are looking at expanding our offerings by adding AP courses. New Tech will have no bearing on honors courses or grades.
I understand where the money came from for this program. How much did we have to pay to "get" this program? I have read most schools had to pay $400,000. I also see the money being used for stipends. What is the typical stipend? When does it look the like grant money will run out and what is the plan after that for any additional expenses that would be associated with this program after the grant money runs out?
Our cost was approximately $450,000 over a 3 year period. The main costs are for Echo and the professional development we receive. The grant we received from the Ohio Department of Education was specifically for New Tech. There were four other grant opportunities that were available to schools throughout the state. The grant money is used for costs associated with the program, including the laptops and any additional costs involved in the training. Since the teachers had to spend a week over the summer in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for the New Schools Training, we did have to pay a stipend to the teachers. Stipends are only paid to teachers when they work outside of their contracted day or schedule, such as over the summer. Our plan is to have additional teachers attend New Tech training this summer and the remaining teachers would be trained by our staff in subsequent years. After the summer of 2013 we will have 20 teachers trained. The grant does expire after the 2013-14 school year. At that time if we decide to continue with the New Tech model there is a cost, but it is significantly less. There are many factors that go into determining the actual cost, such as how many Echo accounts we need and how much more professional development we need. We will make the decision to continue at that time. With the new academic content standards and end of course exams coming in a few years, we will still use project based learning (PBL) as our main instructional model. I think it is also safe to say that if we decide to leave New Tech, we will still use many of the instructional practices associated with the model.
I have found numerous resources that critical reading and writing are affected negatively by data and test-driven programs such as New Tech. What does SCS plan to do to keep that trend from happening in our high school?
The Common Core curriculum that has been adopted by nearly every state have a heavy emphasis with writing across the curriculum. Students will not just have to find an answer to a problem or question, but they will have to explain how the came up with the answer and even justify why their answer is correct.
The New Tech Network has embarked on several initiatives to support teacher and administrator alignment to the Common Core curriculum:
- Project Planning Redesign (unveiled during the 2012 summer training and conferences) with new resources in Echo, a focus on incorporating literacy within all content areas so that rigor is consistent in all projects, and specific scaffolding support tied to CCSS.
- Echo now allows teachers to align and track the Common Core to activities and projects .
- Deeper Learning Student Assessments—20 teachers from across the Network are part of a Teacher Design Group working to integrate assessments within projects as "tasks" that will allow teachers to assess student work against specific college readiness rubrics that are aligned to the Common Core standards. This is a pilot year, with expected rollout across all schools next year.
- Exemplary Projects using the revised Project Planning process are being developed by the Teacher Design Group as part of their work this year.
- A library of formative assessment lessons in math tied to the CCSS and tools and resources for implementing those lessons in a problem / project based environment.
Were NewTech personnel recently at SHS speaking with students? If so, how many students and what was the purpose?
One of our coaches from New Tech was at SHS on November 15. As part of his visit and feedback, he requested to meet with a group of students. They met for about a half hour and expressed their opinions.
Will all NewTech students be surveyed before (calendar) year's end about their NT experience thus far? Will each parent be surveyed as well?
We have not made any plans yet for a survey but that doesn't mean we won't use a type of survey for feedback.
Another question briefly hinted at this but I will ask in a straightforward manner. Are the NewTech teachers at SHS currently receiving any extra pay, compensation of any sort, or stipend for being NewTech teachers? If so, how much per pay period ( which I will assume is bi-weekly) ? Also if so, does this continue in the event that NewTech does not?
No SHS teacher is receiving extra compensation due to New Tech. All compensation is regulated by the Negotiated Agreement.
Are any other SCS employees, including all administrators, receiving any extra pay or compensation as a direct result of this program being instituted?
No employee-teacher, administrator or anyone else- is receiving extra compensation due to New Tech.
Once this grant runs out or the necessary planning begins to either remain with NewTech or resume traditional methods, will we the parents have any say in the matter outside of the ballot box?
We have one more year in the awarded grant. We will begin the discussions on how to move forward in the 2013-14 school year. Even if we decide not to stay a member of the New Tech Network, we will continue to use project based learning.
If SCS had to completely fund NewTech, how much more money would it cost the district/taxpayers annually for the versus the traditional method?
This is not easily answered. We will pay New Tech approximately $450,000 for the three years, but that was made clear when we applied for the grant. The New Tech grant has allowed us to move forward to meet the requirements of teaching the new Academic Content Standards. The district would have more costs in the implementation of the new standards, but I cannot figure out what the costs would have been. A large cost would have been in professional development, which is covered by the grant. The laptops would have been an expense that I am quite confident the Board would not have funded. As in most Race to the Top initiatives, every school will have to make changes and move ahead. Districts that applied for and received Race to the Top funds have some money to help implement these changes.
If SHS were to abandon NewTech at the completion of this school year what sort of penalties would SCS incur?
The grant is a federal grant funded by Race to the Top funds. I know that we would have to return the money for the final year, but I am not sure if there would be any additional penalties.
Are there rooms currently being constructed at the "new" SHS designed specifically for NewTech? If NewTech is dropped, stopped, or not funded and the program ceases will those rooms require remodeling or will they still be able to be used as traditional classrooms?
We were very careful to design the new building to allow us to teach into and beyond the 21st century. The design process started before we even applied for the grant. As I mentioned before, we will have to continue to implement project based learning in order for our students to be successful on the new assessments. The new building will allow us more flexibility than we currently have.
Will students that have to replace the $429 laptops now be permitted to replace them with the new $249 version that is virtually the same?
We are looking at the specifications of the new ChromeBooks. The $249 version came out recently, after we had already purchased the original laptops. Our biggest concern is that the two machines are comparable. We also want to make sure that the district does not lose money on the replacement of the machines.
Has there been any discussion on UN-assigning laptops (and the risk involved to the students and parents)from the students/parents that don't need/want them?
We are currently working on a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy. At this time we are not able to allow students to bring their own device and connect to our network. My hope is that sometime in the second semester we can implement a BYOD policy. Currently if a student does not want to bring their laptop home or if a parent does not want their child to bring the laptop home, the student can check the device into the library where it will be plugged in and kept secure. Students can also check in their device to the library when they go to lunch, gym class, or any other area where they are worried about loss or damage.
A parent panel was mentioned at the beginning of the school year, but we have not yet seen one. Who is going to be on this panel, when is it forming, and how are the parents chosen? The same question applies to the student advisory panel. When will this be formed and who will be on it?
We will implement a student and parent panel, but have not had the time to get them up and running. My goal is to start this in the second semester.
Were all freshmen required to sign up for Sci-Tech? Were they given any other options? Is this class required?
All freshmen are required to take SciComm. SciComm is a combined course of physical science and applied communication. This is the only class we offer in physical science.
By requiring all freshmen to take SciComm, you are forcing them to take a non-required class (applied communications). How can you justify taking away an elective opportunity for the students and forcing them to take a class that they do not need for graduation?
We have required courses in the past that were not required for graduation. We are teaching students skills that they will need to be successful the rest of their high school career and beyond. These skills are important enough to make sure that all students take the class. Due to the flexibility of block scheduling as well as the other options available now like flex credit, students will have very few problems taking the classes they want.
Also, in the past, all 9th grade students were required to take Reading/Writing Lab, which was also an elective English class. This is the course that ultimately was transformed into Applied Communications. Reading/Writing Lab was a 1/2 credit, and Applied Communications is 1 credit; therefore, the net addition to a student's class load is 1/2 a credit to add these essential skills.
Please clarify from the last New Tech meeting regarding the online opt out class. If I recall it was stated that you could not attend a 4-year college in the state of Ohio if you chose this option, is this correct?
I was referring to the opt-out provision of the Ohio Core Curriculum. The Ohio Core changed the number of credits that are required and also changed what courses are required, such as Algebra II, beginning with the Class of 2014. Students can opt out of the requirements of the Ohio Core, but they would not be able to be enrolled in many colleges. This opt out provision has nothing to do with on-line courses or anything else related to New Tech.
I would like some clarification on the NT people speaking with our children. What specifically were they asked?
- What were the two answers that they had to choose from instead of providing their own honest answers and opinions on NT?
- Does SCS condone that type of clearly one-sided agenda based survey?
On to the new SHS building question and construction of NT rooms. Could you clarify that as well please? I fail to see a concrete answer within that response. Reading it I would assume that Yes they are being constructed and No we would not need further construction if NT is dropped.
As far as the new building, we began planning for the building long before we signed the agreement to be a New Tech school. We visited numerous schools that had a 21st century design because we wanted this building to be designed to accommodate the changes that we knew were coming in education. The classrooms will allow us to use project based learning much better than our current rooms. Whether or not we are a New Tech school had nothing to do with the classroom design.
You mention new academic content standards. Could you provide a link to these new standards for both, teachers and students?
Ohio Department of Education
(There are also 2 links on the Home Page of this site, near the bottom, for Common Core.)
Using your answer to the previous question pertaining to costs is it safe to say that NT costs SCS 150k/year over and above traditional schooling?
New Tech is not costing the Shelby City Schools any money. The costs are being covered by the grant from the Ohio Department of Education.
Touching on parents having any say whether NT continues and the response, I am reading that as a no. Correct? Can you explain why our input, like in a fair survey for example, bears no weight in our children's education and what we as taxpayers and parents want? I believe a survey of all parents and students would be very informative as long as the survey is fair and not a biased one-sided tool with a predetermined outcome. As a parent I would like to see this done with both, parents and students. Is there a valid reason this can't happen in a timely manner rather than not having any plans to do so?
I did not say we were not going to do a survey. We may very well conduct a survey, but the difficult part is constructing a survey that is non-biased as well as getting enough people to respond to a survey to make the responses valid. This is something that we will continue to study.
Parents are getting ready to discuss options with their children for next year. What classes are going to be New Tech classes for next year, and at what levels?
While we are still in the planning stages for next year, our initial steps are to have geometry, English, biology and health.( Sophomore Level) The American Studies course will also still exist. We are looking now at classes at the junior level.
If questions and answers are going to be posted anonymously why do you require a first and last name to submit a question? I think this might deter people from asking questions.
To insure that we are getting valid questions. Mr. Gies answers all questions. Parents are welcome to send questions via this site or call at any time.
Touching on the laptops again. You remark that the district doesn't want to lose money if the 249.00 version is purchased. What money would the district be losing or what would the district be "out"? Weren't these provided through grant monies?
I used the wrong term previously. The district would not be losing money, but I want to make sure that our grant money is used wisely. If the $249 version of the ChromeBook is not a comparable model with the original laptops purchased, then I do not want to replace the orginials with a lesser model.
"New Tech is not costing the Shelby City Schools any money. The costs are being covered by the grant from the Ohio Department of Education. " is your answer to another one of my questions. Couldn't the same be said for the computers?
The computers were paid for by the grant.
More on the computers. Can someone provide a valid reason that computers are still assigned to children that have no use for them outside of the applicable classroom? Can someone also provide a valid reason that there is simply not a bank of them available to use in and during the applicable class as needed by those that do not wish to have them assigned to their children?
As I mentioned before, we simply do not have the capability to store and charge the number of laptops that we would need to have only a classroom supply. We do have the capability to have students check their laptops into the library if they do not want to take them home or to a class like gym or Ag- some class where they are not using the laptops. If a parent does not want their child to take their computer home, they can bring their laptop to the library and we will lock it up and charge it. We have a cart that is capable of holding 30 computers.
We are currently working on developing a policy that will allow students to bring their own device to school. This takes time because we have to write a policy that will cover any issues next year when this building becomes a grade 5-8 middle school. Once we have this policy in place students may use their own device instead of a school issued computer. I would like to see us complete this policy and begin to implement the BYOD before spring break.
How many computers to date have been damaged? How much money has been spent by the district in repairs?
This is posted and updated on the New Tech Website. None.
How many students are currently enrolled at SHS as Freshmen? Sophomores?
We currently have 151 freshmen and 143 sophomores.
How many freshmen are Not taking a "required" NT class or classes?
We currently have one freshman who is taking courses on-line instead of in our traditional courses.
How many sophomores are not taking a "required" NT class or classes?
None
Regarding the freshmen and sophomores not taking NT classes, why aren't they? Were they "thrown out" of NT?
There are circumstances behind each student that I cannot go into on this site.
What type of class are these students taking?
We use Aventa On-line Learning for credit recovery, AP courses and for credit courses.
Who is covering the cost of these other methods? SCS? Grant money (aka SCS)?
We are using a combination of funds to pay for Aventa, including Race to the Top funds and some general funds. The purpose of Aventa is not for taking courses for credit. It was established to provide credit recovery options for students who failed in a traditional course and for those students who could not fit a course into their schedule.
Will SCS provide and pay for alternative means for parents that do not wish for their children to be a part of NT?
Parents are welcome to explore a Flex Credit option. This option has been in place for the past few years. As part of this option, it is the responsibility of the parent to develop an alternative plan for a course or courses. The plan has to be approved by the school. The parents and student are then responsible for carrying out the plan, which includes meeting all approved dates and projects. The student must be making adequate progress in order to meet the requirements for eligibility for athletics according to OHSAA policy. Any costs for this option are incurred by the parents/student.
How many freshmen received Failing grades for the 1st 9 weeks in NT classes?
For the 2nd 9 weeks? For answers regarding student grades see the grade chart.
How many freshmen received a "D" average for the 1st 9 weeks in NT classes? For the 2nd 9 weeks?
For answers regarding student grades see the grade chart.
How many sophomores received Failing grades for the 1st 9 weeks in NT classes? For the 2nd 9 weeks?
For answers regarding student grades see the grade chart.
How many sophomores received a "D" average for the 1st 9 weeks in NT classes? For the 2nd 9 weeks?
For answers regarding student grades see the grade chart.
It's inexcusable at this point, but why has there not been a parent and student panel formed as promised by now? We are half way through the school year.
At the first parent meeting I stated that we would be waiting until the first of the year to start with the panels. We will be discussing the parent panel at the meetings at the end of January. The student panel will be starting the first week of February.
I will try again for a straight answer on the cost of NT. Assuming SCS did not have grant monies available and had to pay for NT out of SCS's coffers what would NT cost SCS per year?
As I stated before, we will pay New Tech approximately $450,000 for a three year period. This money will come from the Race to the Top grant. This is the cost for any district for a three year period, which is the usual implementation time. The cost after the first three years is significantly lower. That cost will be based on the number of Echo accounts we will need, the amount of professional development we will need as well as a few other factors. It is safe to say that without the Race to the Top grant there is no way the Shelby City Schools could have afforded this opportunity.
Regarding the NT "Coaches" and the questions that were asked of the students, that is simply untrue according to more than one student. Is your response, "The students were asked their likes, dislikes and what they felt were next steps. They also had to give specifics to their dislikes. The students could give their honest opinions, they were not swayed in any way except to give specifics", what the coaches claimed to have done?
The students were asked to use a protocol that we are using in some of our classes now. For their dislikes they had to give specific reasons why they didn't like something and ideas for solutions.
The survey issue and more generally what we as parents and taxpayers want for our children appear to be of no concern to SCS. Would you agree that if our promised student and parent panel were in place that this is something that could have already happened?
I disagree with the wording of this question and the implications. I have always been open to questions and concerns by anyone. The student and parent panels are not to make decisions for the district and/or school. They will be another avenue we will use to gather information and to determine areas of concern by both groups.
Are there any plans to make NT classes optional or elective?
No, we will not be changing our courses for the freshmen and sophomore levels. We are looking still at the course offerings for next year.
What tentative plans does SCS have for a levy or levies for 2013?
The board will be voting on placing an emergency levy on the May ballot. This will be for new money. This levy is necessary to offset the $2 million dollars of state funding that has been cut.
At the first parent meeting I stated that we would be waiting until the first of the year to start with the panels. We will be discussing the parent panel at the meetings at the end of January. The student panel will be starting the first week of February.
I will try again for a straight answer on the cost of NT. Assuming SCS did not have grant monies available and had to pay for NT out of SCS's coffers what would NT cost SCS per year?
As I stated before, we will pay New Tech approximately $450,000 for a three year period. This money will come from the Race to the Top grant. This is the cost for any district for a three year period, which is the usual implementation time. The cost after the first three years is significantly lower. That cost will be based on the number of Echo accounts we will need, the amount of professional development we will need as well as a few other factors. It is safe to say that without the Race to the Top grant there is no way the Shelby City Schools could have afforded this opportunity.
Regarding the NT "Coaches" and the questions that were asked of the students, that is simply untrue according to more than one student. Is your response, "The students were asked their likes, dislikes and what they felt were next steps. They also had to give specifics to their dislikes. The students could give their honest opinions, they were not swayed in any way except to give specifics", what the coaches claimed to have done?
The students were asked to use a protocol that we are using in some of our classes now. For their dislikes they had to give specific reasons why they didn't like something and ideas for solutions.
The survey issue and more generally what we as parents and taxpayers want for our children appear to be of no concern to SCS. Would you agree that if our promised student and parent panel were in place that this is something that could have already happened?
I disagree with the wording of this question and the implications. I have always been open to questions and concerns by anyone. The student and parent panels are not to make decisions for the district and/or school. They will be another avenue we will use to gather information and to determine areas of concern by both groups.
Are there any plans to make NT classes optional or elective?
No, we will not be changing our courses for the freshmen and sophomore levels. We are looking still at the course offerings for next year.
What tentative plans does SCS have for a levy or levies for 2013?
The board will be voting on placing an emergency levy on the May ballot. This will be for new money. This levy is necessary to offset the $2 million dollars of state funding that has been cut.