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