The Lincoln Public School Board voted in favor to expedite their 3-year plan of connected learning. The initiative is for the district to put technology in the hands of all LPS students and was initially approved last year.

The three-year plan originally intends to give Chrome books to grades 3-5 in the 2016-2017 school year. However, the end of the 2015-2016 school year falls in the same fiscal year, allowing LPS to allocate the roughly $2.3 million without effecting its budget.

Kindergarten through 2^nd grade will receive a tablet of some sort. Grades 3^rd though 12^th will receive a Google Chromebook. Kids are incorporating technology in many areas of their life and it is their hope that these will be instruments of learning.

“One of the things we’ve been careful not to say is that Chromebooks or devices in the hands of students equals higher achievement,” Stavem said. “The only thing that impacts good achievement scores is high quality teaching and learning.”

A positive aspect to giving grades 3-5 their Chromebooks sooner is that it eases the demand of registering the numerous amounts of Chromebooks that will going to the students starting next year.

“If we can do 3^rd through 5^th a little earlier, it helps us get ready for 7^th and the two high schools,” Stavem said.

The annual Nesa test that assesses the literacy scores for all fourth graders is delivered online. Giving students access to their Chromebooks earlier will assist students while taking their test. The students do not have planned curriculum that involves using their Chromebooks until next year.

Next year will be year 2 of LPS’s three-year plan. Currently only 6^th grade and LPS focus program students’ have Chromebooks. Next year, two high schools and 7^th grade will receive Chromebooks.  Year three will reach the remaining four high schools and 8^th grade.

An additional instructional coach will be needed to help with the Chromebooks. LPS did not originally budget for this “go to” staff person during this fiscal year so it will require freeing up part of a current facility members day to be able to assist students with their Chromebook. Starting next year, LPS intends to have a designated position at each school.