Questions School Leaders and Policymakers Should Ask

• Is the current student–computer ratio greater than the recommended ratio of 5–to–1? If so, what plans are there to reduce the ratio to the recommended level?

• Are the school computers Internet– and multimedia– capable, and are all classrooms connected to the Internet? If not, what plans exist for upgrading the computers and wiring the classrooms for the Internet?

• Do all schools have an Acceptable Use Policy for all students and staff?

• If infrastructure problems limit technology use, what plans are under way to remedy them through retrofitting or replacing?

• Is 30 percent of the technology budget allocated to staff development? If less than 30 percent, what plans are under way to increase it?

• Do schools, public libraries, and other agencies provide access to computers and other technologies after school to students and their families?

• What provision has been made for enabling special–needs students to use computers?

Key Contacts

“Anderson, Indiana”
Terry Austin
Anderson School Corporation
33 West 11th Street
Anderson, IN 46016
Tel: 765/641-2151
E-mail: taustin@acsc.net
Web site: http://www.acsc.net

“Kids in Cyberspace”
Shelia Gaquin
Tikigaq School
Tikigaq Street
Point Hope, AK 99766
Tel: 907/368-2662
E-mail: sgaquin@arctic.nsbsd.k12.ak.us
Web site: http://www.nsbsd.k12.ak.us