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What does “One-to-One” mean?
One-to-One refers to a ratio of students to computers. One-to-One implies that each full- time UMAHS student would be issued his or her own laptop computer for both home and school use.

Why is UMAHS embarking on this initiative?
Three years ago UMAHS began an initiative to change teaching and learning by expanding the integration of technology in our classrooms. Initial steps to infuse large amounts of technology were made possible through PDE Classrooms for the Future grant funding to purchase equipment and local district funding to lease equipment. Several classrooms were outfitted with a laptop cart, projector, interactive white board, and printer. This program was enthusiastically received by both teachers and students who saw potential for increased learning opportunities. In fact, because of increased access, it became apparent that having the technology on a limited basis frustrated students who were ready to take advantage of this learning tool outside of the classroom. Research indicated that many districts were moving toward a One-to-One and were enjoying increased student engagement and achievement. In 2008, Upper Merion Area School District identified that as a goal as part of our strategic plan.

What are the goals of the program?
• To increase academic rigor, better preparing students for post-secondary success.
• To increase student engagement in our classrooms through the meaningful integration of technology in the daily curriculum.
• To differentiate instruction in the classroom using technology to facilitate the classroom structure and when applicable instruction.
• To "level the playing field" allowing equal access to technology for all our students.

Who has been working on this initiative?
The implementation team is comprised of 21 administrators, teachers, and technology staff members. There are also 24 teachers who were involved in the Classrooms for the Future project, a precursor to our One-to-One initiative.

Has there been a pilot program? How many students were involved? What were
the results?
Over the last three years we have piloted all aspects of the One-to-One program with great success as measured by student and teacher feedback. Each year the number of student participants has been increased as well as the length of time students have had access to the laptops. Currently, there are 147 students that have been issued laptops for 24/7 use. They are students from varied academic backgrounds that have been selected because of a particular class. Laptops are currently issued to students in Dave Montalvo’s Physics classes, Eileen Egan’s Special Education class, Nicole Wolset’s ESL class, and Jeff Bugenhagen’s Gifted Seminar class. We also have issued laptops to the Student I-help team sponsored by Pete Vreeland. This process has been invaluable in working out to ensure a successful implementation the program for all 1,100 high school students.

What is the cost?
The plan is to enter into a lease of Apple Macbook laptops that will cost the district $477,392 per year for 4 years. The lease includes a complete laptop repair warranty as well as full software upgrades for the term of the lease. This will insure that the laptops stay in good working condition with current software over the 4-year period. The lease will also have an impact on technology access in grades K-8 because the laptops in good condition currently at the high school will be redistributed to teachers and students at the middle and elementary schools. The proposed leasing agreement will provide sustainability for necessary technology access district-wide over subsequent budget years. District administration has worked hard to make appropriate budget cuts in order to fund this important project, as listed in the UMASD Strategic Plan.

Is there any cost to the student/parent? What happens if the laptop is stolen or damaged?
Students/parents will be responsible for an insurance premium payment of approximately $55 per year. The district will pay the insurance cost for students who qualify for free and reduced lunch or have other documented financial need. Insurance will cover theft or damage with a deductible payment required for each claim. Based on the small number of insurance related incidents with our pilot program (2-3%) we are recommending that the District self-insure for the first year of implementation and track closely whether or not to purchase insurance from an outside vendor in future years. Although laptop theft has not been an issue with our pilot groups the district will be contracting with a company that uses software to recover stolen laptops.

How will laptops be distributed and collected?
The plan is to distribute the equipment by grade level in the month of September. Studnet information sessions will be run by Jonathan Bauer, UMAHS Principal,  and Mark Erb, Director of Technology.   Students in grade 9 will receive their laptop as part of their Digital Academy coursework. Student laptops will be collected at the end of each academic year. Collecting the machines allows the district the opportunity to update inventory as well as provide maintenance and upgrades to software or hardware. Returning students will be reissued the same machine in August/September of the following school year.

Will there be parent trainings?
Informational sessions for parents will be held in the beginning of the school year and again mid-year.

Has there been professional development for teachers?
Teacher in-service trainings have been held on a variety of topics, including: Meet your Mac Training, Podcasting, Wikispaces, 21st Century Learning, Daggett’s Framework for Rigor and Relevance, Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy, Comic Life, Using Quia for Formative Assessments, Using Network Folders to Manage Student Data, and Smart Board Training. The high school has had the use of a full-time Technology Coach funded partly by the CFF grant. It is a vital aspect of the project to continue funding this position. The Technology Coach provides in-classroom embedded professional development and support for teachers at all levels of technology integration. We are also implementing professional learning communities at the high school as an ongoing support for teachers as well being a structure for communication and feedback. Our laptop vendor, Apple, has included 14 days of training for small groups of teachers that we can use over the entire period of the laptop lease.