April 2007

Pelham School District Receives Pioneer Award for Technology Programs

The Pelham School District was the recipient of the 2007 15th Annual Pioneer Award presented by the Lower Hudson Regional Information Center on April 20.

In presenting the award, Jean Benitez, Regional Coordinator, said, "Pelham has shown that it is committed to making instructional technology a fundamental part of 21st century learning and has become a shining example of how Districts can wisely evaluate technology, set goals for the acquisition, anticipate inclusion of new technology, and move forward using a comprehensive plan that guides them every step of the way." She added, "What really stood out for the reviewers was the evidence provided regarding Pelham's thoughtful and systemic approach for evaluation technology."

The award was accepted by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Charles Wilson, School Board member and Board Technology chair Danton Chin, Deputy Superintendent Dennis Lauro and Director of Technology Kathleen McGrath. Each highlighted different aspects of the program that resulted in the award.

The Pelham team described the clear delineation of goals evidenced in strategic planning, a 5-Year Technology Plan, Board policies and a Board level Technology Committee. This vision was further reflected in the development of kindergarten through grade 12 student benchmarks and staff learning standards. The inclusion of technology in the annual teacher evaluation process and a week-long technology training for every teacher that focused on integration of technology into the curriculum were instrumental in building use of technology for teaching and learning. A three-year research-based study documenting the impact of training on teachers and their perceptions included surveys and focus groups and helped to identify necessary tools to assist teachers.

Financing technology over the years has included use of bonds, grants, and support from The Pelham Education Foundation. More recently, financing technology became a regular part of the annual budget cycle through four Installment Purchase Agreements with BOCES, giving the District an additional 40% to 47% in State aid as well as a regular cycle of funding new and replacement technology.

The award is the second recognition for technology efforts in the Pelham Schools in recent months. Brian Nadel in an article in Scholastic Administrator, February 2007, spotlighted Pelham Middle School. He said that the latest presentation equipment puts curriculum front and center, making teaching (and learning) easier. Equipping schools with the digital infrastructure to support the 21st century technologies that enhance instruction and help motivate students became the major thrust of Pelham's new middle school, he said, where it was recognized that visualization is key to learning. Technology was part of the basic design of the middle school and has set a standard for the other schools in Pelham.

An important component of the new technology is what is called the analysis and feedback systems (i.e., data warehouse and curriculum mapping) that is now in place to drive student achievement to higher levels by allowing administrators and teachers to drill down through the data in the data warehouse and to pin point shortcomings in the curriculum using the curriculum maps.