Contents
F E at u R E s
TeChnology
OctOber 2011
Building a Blended Learning Program 40 Combining face-to-face and virtual instruction addresses all learners in the pursuit of 21st-century skills. Susan McLester
sTem leARning
How Are Science Fairs Fairing? 56 As schools pull back, fair organizers promote STEM and recruit young scientists, and companies offer competitions to fill the void. Ron Schachter
CURRiCUlUm
A New Age for Algebra 66 A renewed emphasis on this math course can make or break a pupil’s success in school. Lindsay Oishi
AT Risk
40
Early College High Schools 74 A rigorous academic approach combined with the opportunity to save time and money is a powerful motivator for at-risk students. Alan Dessoff
leAdeRship pRofile
BRIEFINGs
14 News Update
• First American and Chinese Public School Opens • People Watch • Reducing Employee Health-care Costs • Seven Organizations Join Common Core Math Coalition • Turning Over a New Technology Leaf in Oklahoma • Tornado Recovery Efforts Almost Complete in Kansas • New Race to the Top Initiative Invests in Early Childhood Education
Changing of the Guard in Florida 82 How will the state’s new education commissioner and governor impact K12 momentum? Ed Finkel
DIstRIC t CIO
91 Cio news
power needs and saves money.
Ed Finkel 99 TeCh@woRk
• Interoperability Report • First State Cloud Consortium • Google+: A New K12 Tool?
92 feATURe
How Much Computing Power Do You Need? Web-based computing reduces
4 October 2011
An Unconventional Approach to 1:1 Q&A with Andy Berning, technology director of CarrolltonFarmers Branch (Texas) ISD
28 Transportation Update
• Bus Stop App Saves Time for Transportation Employees and Parents • School Bus Cameras Aim to Protect Kids
District Administration
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - October 2011