$1.7 Million in New Grant Awards to 21 Oklahoma Schools

Volume 35

Number 2

Fall 2004

Story by Susie Graves, Executive Director
Communities Foundation of Oklahoma

$1.7 Million in New Grant Awards to 21 Oklahoma Schools

This year another twenty-one Oklahoma schools will share $1.7 million in new technology grants from the Oklahoma Educational Technology Trust (OETT). Each school will receive $79,000 to purchase equipment and train staff to help students succeed through the intelligent and innovative use of technology.

Dr. Phil Berkenbile (CareerTech State Director and OETT Chair) and Don Cain (President, SBC Oklahoma) announced the award winning schools at the OSSBA/CCOSA Annual Conference.

The 21 schools receiving grants are:

Ardmore High School, Ardmore
Norman High School, Norman
Bridge Creek High School, Bridge Creek
Whittier Middle School, Norman
Colbert Eastward Elementary, Colbert
Classen School of Advanced Studies, Oklahoma City
Comanche Elementary, Comanche
Central Intermediate Elementary, Putnam City Schools.
Comanche High School, Comanche
Will Rogers Elementary, Putnam City Schools
Roblyer Middle School, El Reno
Quinton Junior High High School, Quinton
Gore Elementary, Gore
Swink Elementary District, Swink
Clara Reynolds Elementary, Harrah
Vici Elementary, Vici
Hugo Elementary, Hugo
Ellington Elementary, Wagoner
Tony Geotz Elementary School, Muskogee
Waukomis School District, Waukomis
John Hubbard Elementary School, Noble

Image of Map schools who received grants

Image of Teacher showing student a smart board These grants are the second in a three-year $5.25 million granting initiative by OETT focusing on improving student achievement, integrating technology, and leadership. The grants are statewide and represent all school levels and configurations from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

“Ownership of technology and equipment is only part of the equation for success,” said Dr. Berkenbile. “The 21 schools receiving money from this competitive grant received those awards based upon detailed, goal-driven plans directed at increased student achievement through the use of technology. These students and teachers alike will be learning and adapting technology into everyday classroom activities."

The mission of the Oklahoma Educational Technology Trust is to equip Oklahoma public schools and CareerTech students with the technology and technological skills necessary to compete in the global marketplace. The trust provides funds for computer and telecommunications equipment, infrastructure, leadership, and professional development to implement and advance the integration of technology into classroom instruction.

“The [OETT] grant has been a blessing to our school and to our students. The growth that I’ve seen from the students has been exciting, but it’s been mirrored by the growth that I’ve seen from our teachers in developing a professional learning community,”
Cathryn Harmon, Principal of Grand Avenue Elementary School in Chickasha, one of the first 21 grant award schools in 2003.

Teachers learing to use computers in their lessons “The Oklahoma Educational Technology Trust does not just put computers in schools," said Attorney General Drew Edmondson. “Computers do little good if teachers and students don’t know how to use them. The Trust is unique in that we train educators to incorporate technology into the everyday classroom experience. The goal is to enhance the learning experiences of Oklahoma children”.

“The Trust is structured so that the initial investment is protected and provides a continuing source of funding year after year, and we will continue to invest its resources in Oklahoma students,” Edmondson said. Edmondson played a pivotal role in establishing the Trust following discussions with SBC Communications Inc. in 2000. SBC provided $30 million in initial funding in February 2001.

Trustees of OETT are Berkenbile, OETT chair and director of the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education: Keith Ballard, executive director of the Oklahoma Superintendents and School Boards Association; David DuVall, executive director of the Oklahoma Education Association ; Randall Raburn, executive director of the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration; Sen. Mike Morgan; Rep. Larry Roberts, and Bob Stafford, SBC Communications, Inc. representative. The professional development component is provided by the K20 Center’s Oklahoma Achievement through Collaboration and Technology Support (OK-ACTS) and the Oklahoma CareerTech system.

OETT is administered by Communities Foundation of Oklahoma under the direction of Frank Merrick, president of Foundation Management, Inc.; Susan Graves, chief financial officer and executive director and Katherine Ray, CPA. OK-ACTS is part of the K20 Center directed by Dr. Mary John O’Hair. Leading the professional development team for Phase II Grants to Schools are Linda Atkinson and Leslie Williams.

For more information on OETT or to learn how your school can qualify for an OETT grant, please contact the Communities Foundation of Oklahoma Executive Director Susie Graves in Oklahoma City at 488-1450 or toll free at 877-689-7726 or the professional development team at www.k20center.org

Do I Have A Great Job Or What?. . .

By Scott Charlson, Field Technology Coordinator
Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education

Image of Scott Charlson Years ago I was compelled to get a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, hoping to one day be an elementary teacher. Along the way I hired at Canadian Valley Tech center as an educational enhancement center instructor and migrated into other technology related jobs including distance learning/telecommunications and eventually coordinator of curriculumand and media.

CareerTech was asked to partner with OK-ACTS and put someone on board to go out into schools and work with teachers to authentically integrate technology into the curriculum – something that CareerTech has been doing since its’ inception.

I am fortunate enough to be this person who goes out into the field and works directly with teachers to help them become comfortable integrating everything from SMART Boards to live television studios.

We are also working to leverage the power of OneNet, which will allow teachers from any part of the state to collaborate face-to-face with their colleagues and also take their students on virtual fieldtrips via IP videoconferencing.

Image of student at smart board This is truly a diverse and integrated partnership. Here is this guy from CareerTech helping the University of Oklahoma put their educational research into action in no place other than our very own schools and communities. I believe that this project is a snapshot of how the future of educational partnerships will evolve.

With my own eyes I have seen the excitement radiate from the faces of children as they interact with technology. As an example, when you see a group of 3rd graders bounce down the halls of their school with digital cameras in tow, initially you think to yourself, “is this a good idea?”

But, when they return with those cameras and upload these pictures to their PowerPoint presentation and then write captions for the pictures, sharing these presentations with their classmates as they stand at the front of the room using a SMART board… you start to realize that digital technologies are absolutely embedded in our culture and have become integral part of our learning and our communication.

Do I have a great job or what?