U.S. ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS SELECTED TO PROVE EFFECTIVE TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION

July 1, 2000 (LOS ANGELES, CA) – Futurekids, Inc., a world leader in helping schools use technology to transform education, today unveils strategic partnerships with three of the nation’s K-12 public elementary schools. Through Futurekids’ Model Technology Integration (MTI) Program, these partnerships were formed to oversee the implementation of school-wide technology integration and to evaluate formally its effectiveness in everyday teaching and learning. The participating schools are Waters Elementary in Chicago, IL; Meridian Elementary in Seattle, WA; and Fox Road Elementary in Raleigh, NC.

Boise State University (BSU) will also be a key participant, serving as the outside research organization that will analyze and assess each school’s progress over a period of two years, beginning in the Spring of 2000. Specifically, BSU will examine whether students in computer supported classrooms demonstrate specific academic achievements and whether trained teachers are more effective users of technology in the classroom.

As the basis of this formal evaluation, each school will receive a complete and comprehensive technology program, including long-term planning and assessment, certified professional development, standards-driven K-12 curriculum, integration services, and ongoing mentoring and support. In addition, Futurekids will provide on-site trainers that will help the classroom teachers: 1) to build essential technology skills; 2) to integrate technology throughout academic content areas; and 3) to transfer similar technology knowledge and skills to their students.

The schools selected bring tremendous value to the MTI program, as they represent educational and socioeconomic diversity, varying degrees of technology readiness, and the capability to support program activities with teacher release time, physical facilities, and administrator buy-in.
 
About Futurekids
Futurekids is the premier provider of technology teacher training solutions for schools and universities around the world. Futurekids has a 22-year record of success in technology education. Their core competency is providing technology training as it relates to teaching and learning. They have relationships and achievements with many key educational partners such as Intel, IBM and Dell.  Futurekids is privately owned with headquarters in Los Angeles, CA. For more information on Futurekids, please visit http://www.futurekids.com/.