| All schools across America strive for | | | | Schools. More than 200,000 computers are |
| excellence, which is reflected through | | | | available for students' use, at a rate |
| various regional, state, or national | | | | of one computer for every three |
| awards. Being recognized as an excellent | | | | students. Ninety-nine percent of |
| place of learning can help schools in | | | | Oklahoma Schools classrooms have |
| numerous ways. Some awards give the | | | | internet access. A majority of this |
| recipients a cash bonus, while others | | | | progress in technology comes from the |
| give an endorsement of excellence. | | | | federal E-Rate program, local bond |
| Oklahoma City Public Schools are no | | | | issues and grants, and upgrades for |
| exception. Recognized for numerous, | | | | schools and libraries in high poverty |
| innovative programs, and admirable | | | | areas. Oklahoma Schools not only added |
| improvement, Oklahoma Schools enjoy a | | | | technology to the classrooms, but have |
| high status within the 50 states. | | | | also integrated standards defining basic |
| Improved in reading and math, advances | | | | skills of technology into its core |
| in technology, and being named a Blue | | | | curriculum for Pre-K through 12th grade, |
| Ribbon School are all examples of these | | | | known as the Priority Academic Student |
| recognitions. One of the highest | | | | Skills (PASS). Students must learn the |
| national honors an Oklahoma School (or | | | | operation of a computer, application of |
| any other school in the nation, for that | | | | software as a tool, problem-solving |
| matter), can receive is being named a | | | | skills, telecommunications skills and |
| Blue Ribbon School. The Blue Ribbon | | | | ethical and legal issues in using |
| honors schools that have closed | | | | technology. Oklahoma Schools have shown |
| achievement gaps and where students are | | | | improved performance in reading and math |
| excelling at high levels. For the 2006 - | | | | at all levels between 2002 and 2006. |
| 2007 school year, several Oklahoma | | | | Achievement gaps between different |
| Schools have been recognized by the U.S. | | | | ethnic groups have narrowed between 2002 |
| Department of Education. More than 50 | | | | and 2006 in reading at all grade levels |
| schools in the state have been honored | | | | tested. The biggest improvements were |
| since this program began in 1982. Six | | | | seen in elementary math, but reading |
| Oklahoma Schools were honored for the | | | | scores have also increased. In the |
| school year. Four elementary schools and | | | | Technology Counts 2007 report released |
| two middle schools received the honor. | | | | March 29, Oklahoma Schools earned an |
| The number of K-12 schools, public or | | | | overall B- compared to the national |
| private, that each state can nominate | | | | average of a C+. The state's schools |
| depends on that state's population. 60 | | | | scored an A- in the use of technology |
| percent of schools nominated each year | | | | for student standards, establishing a |
| for the Blue Ribbon status are | | | | virtual school and offering |
| recognized by the federal government. | | | | computer-based testing. Oklahoma |
| All six of the nominated Oklahoma | | | | Schools, as well as the other schools |
| Schools won the recognition. These | | | | throughout the nation were surveyed to |
| Oklahoma Schools are recognized because | | | | measure the status of K-12 educational |
| they have met criteria in two areas. | | | | technology; developments over the past |
| These requirements are: improvements | | | | ten years are also considered. |
| made by low-income students, and schools | | | | Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for |
| that have scored in the top 10% on the | | | | Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth |
| state's standardized tests. Advances in | | | | reports on all U.S. public and private |
| technology have been made in Oklahoma | | | | K-12 schools. |