Kingsport City Schools (KCS) believes that the integration of technology is essential to motivating and engaging students in rigorous and relevant instructional lessons. One-to-One (1:1) technology provides the opportunity for anytime/anywhere learning and opens the doors to the critical thinking and problem solving skills that students will need to compete and contribute in our global society. For more information see the Curriculum and Instruction Department.
Throughout the 2018-19 school year, a committee of KCS administrators and staff members have been reviewing the current KCS 1:1 Technology Program to identify needed improvements, asking the following questions:
The following are the significant changes to the KCS 1:1 Technology Program that have been approved:
Previous Process | Change | Reason for Change |
All students in Grades 4-12 are issued a device to take home. | All students in grades 6-12 will be issued a device to take home in Fall 2019. Students in grades 4-5 will be provided a device to use at school that will stay at school. | To best meet educational goals, minimize the high level of damage and repair needs, and teach responsible use of technology, students in 4th and 5th grade will be provided a technology device to be used at school only. This will allow for greater education on the use and care of technology. Currently, the educational goals of our elementary schools are best met utilizing devices in the classroom and the highest rate of damage is occurring with elementary student devices outside of school. For this reason, take-home devices will be issued to students in grades 6-12 only beginning Fall 2019. |
Students keep devices during the summer. |
Students will turn in devices to their school prior to the end of the school year.
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To help in the updating and maintenance of devices, as well as reduce the amount of loss and breakage over the summer and improving the distribution process in the fall, devices will be collected before the end of the school year. Special consideration will be given to students that need devices for summer academic courses. |
Technology Fee of $50 collected once at each academic level (elementary, middle, high) to apply to repairs, if needed. | The KCS Technology Fee has been eliminated. | The elimination of the technology fee will simplify the process for parents and students regarding device breakage and repair. Just like any other educational resource, any breakage and repair/replacement cost will be the responsibility of the student/parent, capped at the replacement cost of the device. Once the maximum balance has been reached, the student device will be disabled until the balance is paid in full. The student will use a classroom device at school only. |
Outstanding repair balances are allowed to grow to an unlimited amount. | Repair balances will be capped at the replacement cost of the device. |
The maximum amount of repair balance allowed will be the replacement cost of the device. Once that balance has been reached, the student will use a classroom device until 50% of the balance due is paid. Outstanding repair charges at the end of elementary school must be paid in full before assignment of a new device at middle school. Outstanding repair charges at the end of middle school must be paid in full before assignment of a new device at high school. Outstanding repair charges in high school may result in the loss of certain activity privileges.
*Parents currently owing a balance of more than the device replacement amount may fully eliminate that balance with a payment equal to the device replacement cost.
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1:1 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The KCS Responsible Use Policy & Google Apps for Education
Your child will have his or her own computing device and accessories (hereafter collectively referred to as “KCS device”) to use in class/school and at home, while enrolled in KCS. Students that have submitted this completed agreement and have the permission of the KCS administration will be allowed to take the KCS device home while enrolled during the school year.
A pattern of careless behavior with the KCS device will have consequences and parent/guardian(s) or staff may rescind this privilege at any time. The complete KCS Responsible Use Policy (RUP) and Student Handbook provide further details for each item below. The RUP and Student handbook can be found to the right of your screen and downloaded. The KCS 1:1 Technology Initiative will become a part of your child's everyday classroom experience and failure to follow the guidelines below and instructions in class can significantly influence this experience.
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