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Apple 1:1 (Southeast) Leadership Summit - Stephen Mazingo
By bpace | January 9, 2008
Stephen Mazingo, superintendent of Greene County Schools in North Carolina, presented a session on 1:1 leadership and change.
Studies show most people resist change, even when faced with a life-threatening situation.
In the beginning they talked about what they wanted to do about learning not about technology. Technology was simply the best tool available to help them accomplish their goals.
It’s about the thinking that the computer supports.
What matters most to the Greene County Board of Education - Video Podcast
I knew I had to do something when I realized that my best teachers, the ones that I knew cared about the kids, didn’t want to take their kids to the computer lab.
Mazingo decided go one-to-one 6-12th grade to start in 2004. K-5 uses carts currently. All Greene County Schools have wireless infrastructure.Greene County chose Apple (They were a PC district) in 2004 because:
- Commitment to education
- Commitment to partner with GCS
- Manufacturing standards for iBooks
- Interest in our market
- Ease of use
- Commitment for support after the sale
They chose to lease. 3.2 million total cost. Lease instead of buy. Refresh after 2 1/2 years 1.6 million. Used local and state funding and re-examined line item allocations.
The project has been much easier to sustain than to get started.
Results:
- Higher test scores middle and high
- High school made AYP past two years
- 25% to 84% college going rate
- Three “Morehead Scholars” in last four years. Had not had one since 1968.
- Increase in honors courses
- Doubled the college scholarships
- Teen pregnancy, #2 in the state to #18
- 100% highly qualified teachers
- Lower dropout rate
- Higher parent/community confidence
- High speed Internet available everywhere in county now
- New business
- New industrial park
- New recreation complex
- New golf resort community
- State and national recognition
- Pride in the community
- Our children have reason to return
- Respect from other communities
- Kids ready for next decades jobs
- Families are purchasing houses not retirees
That first year all my 6-12 grade teachers were brand new teachers.
If I had to choose not to go 6-12 all at once again I would start with the high school.
Greene County is wireless everywhere within campuses, including ball fields.Greene County Schools
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Topics: 1:1, North Carolina, education |