Outstanding technology programs at individual schools, as well as system wide technology innovations, will be the focus of the National School Boards Association (NSBA) District Site Visit to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) on Monday and Tuesday, March 15 and 16.

Educators from across the United States will participate in workshops at the University of Maryland, Shady Grove Campus on Monday, then visit among ten school sites to view demonstrations of technology usage on Tuesday morning and afternoon.

The NSBA selected four school systems nationwide this year as site visit districts in order to showcase innovative uses of technology that can be replicated by other school systems.

The schedule of school site visits on Tuesday, March 16, includes:

Elementary Schools

Ronald McNair (8:00 - 9:00 a.m.) Software from the Instructional Management System is used to develop and monitor Academic Improvement Plans for students.

Spark Matsunaga (9:15 - 10:45 a.m.) Technology is infused into early childhood education in a variety of subject areas. “Flex room” with 4-6 computers provides students with a place for daily computer use.

Watkins Mill (11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.) Publisher software is used by students to develop brochures and a “Mini Page” of Maryland history. The use of technology is demonstrated in third grade reading instruction.

Pine Crest (1:30 - 3:15 p.m.) Technology is used by teachers and administrators in every phase of the instructional process. Classroom visits and examples of student work illustrate how students use technology to communicate, conduct research, and practice skills.

Secondary Schools

Thomas Edison High School of Technology (8:00 - 9:45 a.m.) Student programs in various career paths make unique use of technology. Programs include automotive technology, network operations and programming, biotechnology, drafting and design, electronics, hospitality and tourism, and professional restaurant management.

James Hubert Blake High School (10:00 - 11:45 a.m.) Demonstrations of technology at this fine arts and humanities signature school include TV production, digital arts such as animation and streaming video, and the computerized communications systems and software in the music lab. Also featured are teacher web sites, the on-line grade book, and research opportunities in the media center.

Montgomery Blair High School (1:00 - 3:15 p.m.) High-level student opportunities within the Science, Mathematics, Computer Science magnet program are demonstrated. BlairConnect, where students refurbish computers for students without Internet capable computers at home, also is featured, along with the CISCO Networking Academy that provides students with Internet technology skills.

Alternative Programs

Randolph Academy (8:00 - 9:45 a.m.) Distance learning courses offered via the Internet and videoconferencing are used to serve the needs of students in an alternative school setting, placed in the program in lieu of expulsion.

Cannon Road Elementary School (11:00 - 11:45 a.m.) The power of assistive technology to support the learning needs of students with significant disabilities is demonstrated in an InterACT (Interdisciplinary Augmentative Communication and Technology) classroom for Grades K through 3.

Rock Terrace School (1:00 - 2:45 p.m.) A number of technology-based programs are used to serve students ages 12 through 21 with multiple developmental disabilities. These include web page design with Frontpage software and social skill instruction using digital photography in a role-playing format.

The MCPS web site has more details on the program and scheduled school visits.

NOTE: News media are welcome to cover school visits, as well as other programs being offered during the two-day MCPS District Site Visit.