PSS eyes improved student-computer ratios

By Marconi Calindas
Reporter

With 11,620 students in the system, there is an average of 10 students to each computer in CNMI public schools. There are only 511 desktop computers connected to a network and the Internet, while 682 are stand-alones, which means they do not have access to the Web. Also, there are 272 laptops and only 77 network printers being used all over the CNMI school system.

These, according to PSS Associate Commissioner David M. Borja, are not good indicators.

In an effort to improve the students’ access to information technology, the CNMI State Board of Education Public School System met Thursday to finalize the proposed Technology Plan for 2004 to 2007—a plan that the PSS hopes would enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity in public schools.

Under the plan, PSS aims to improve the computer-student ratio to 5:1 for elementary students, 4:1 among six to eight graders and 3:1 for ninth and twelfth grade students—a set-up that would bring the PSS up to par with international standards.

PSS officials said that having this ratio would help students use these computers as tools to enhance learning. The computers are also eyed to help students “communicate, collaborate, publish, and interact with peers, experts, and other audiences, and use a variety of media and formats to communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences.”

By providing these computer ratios to CNMI students, they would be able to locate, evaluate and collect information from a variety of sources and to process data and report results; and for students to solve problems, make informed decisions, and develop strategies.

The technology plan is also in accordance with the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

Thursday’s meeting, held at the BOE conference room, was attended by board officers and members, together with Elizabeth Rechebei from the NMI Humanities Council and Geri Willis of the School of Education, Northern Marianas College. Also in the meeting were Cathy Salas, a systems analyst, and Frank Rabauliman, a technology education specialist. Both put together the 58-page plan.

Borja said the technology plan is a document that ties together the PSS’ long-range plan on how to use technology to improve student learning.

“We need to make sure our technology plan is updated. We just updated the old plan that we had,” he said.

The plan also covers teacher quality enhancements that underscores the need to have CNMI teachers receive computer technology training as part of their professional development.

“The key really is to provide and to arm the teachers with the tools that they need to improve student learning,” Borja said.

Although the board had already come up with the CNMI technology standards and benchmarks in 2002 under former chair Herman T. Guererro, Borja said the revised plan “cross walked the technology plan, the various elements of all these plans and law into our technology plan.”

PSS also said that the technology plan incorporates its ability to have its own information technology structure. Borja shared that schools now can connect to the Internet and with this they can now include the use of distance learning education.

It’s a three-year plan but the PSS will revisit the plan every year. “So even if it says 2004 to 2007, next year it would be 2005-2008 and it will continue to be a living document,” said Borja.

Though the plan is from the PSS, it would still require the Executive Branch’s approval. The board then would have to apply the recommended changes from Thursday’s meeting. The technology plan will be forwarded to Governor’s Office after the board cleans up the document for minor revisions.

The approved document plan then would be PSS’ reference for its implementation and for submission for e-rate application for additional funding from the federal government.

“The highlight of the plan would be that it addresses how we enhance our ability to teach our students by using technology,” Borja added.

PSS will submit the finalized technology plan next week and, according to Borja, this should be approved by the end of the month.