1:1 Technology Initiative
Initiative Update - Spring 2019
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:
- How should devices be used to best meet the educational needs of students?
- What processes need to be improved regarding the distribution, collection, and repair of devices?
- What improvements can be made regarding finances/fees?
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.
|
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.
|
1:1 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Use of Devices
- Q - Which students will take devices home in the future?
- A - Beginning in Fall 2019, students in grades 6-12 will be issued devices that can be taken home. Students in grades 4-5 will be provided a device that they will keep in the classroom for in-school use only. Students in grades 4-5 will not have take-home devices.
Collection of Devices
- Q - Will 1:1 devices be collected at the end of the school year?
- A - Yes, students will turn in their device prior to the end of the school year. This will allow for the technology staff to service and update devices, as well as minimize device damage and loss that can occur over the summer. The collection schedule will be:
-
- Elementary students - End of Year
- Middle (8th) - Prior to Washington DC Trip
- Middle (6-7th) - Date decided by school
- High (9-11th) - Will be allowed to keep their device over the summer
- High (seniors) - When coursework for year is completed
-
Summer Device Take Home
- Q - What if I need to have a device over the summer to complete academic course work, such as online wellness?
- A - Devices will be checked out to individual students who need a device for summer classes, as approved by school administration.
Technology Fee
- Q - Does KCS require a technology fee to get a 1:1 student device?
- A - In the past, a technology fee was charged once at each school level (elementary, middle, high) to offset any potential damage repair fee. KCS will no longer charge a fee to participate in the 1:1 technology program.
- Q - What if I previously paid a fee AND my child is still in the same school level (elementary, middle, high) as when I paid that fee?
- A - Technology fees paid during the 2018-19 school year will still be honored if the student is still in the same school level. The technology fee will be applied to the first $50 of any future repair charges that may occur. Any device currently being held with an outstanding balance of more than $225 will still be held until that $225 is paid in full.
Financial Charges
- Q - What if I currently have a repair balance of more than $225?
- A - All current repair balances, regardless of amount, will be capped at $225. That balance must be paid in-full by September 1, 2019. Otherwise, the previously issued device will be disabled until paid in full.
- Q - What happens if I do not pay my repair balance?
- A - Students will utilize a classroom-only device (not taken home or between classes) until the repair balance is paid and the previously issued device will be disabled. Outstanding repair balances may also result in report cards and/or transcripts being held, or loss of attendance at events such as prom or school trips.
Device Cases
- Q - Will students be provided cases for their 1:1 device?
- A - Middle school students will be provided cases and they are expected to keep their device within that case. High school students will have the option to utilize a case if they so choose. Elementary student devices will be kept on carts and not have cases, as they are only used within the classroom.
- Q - My high school student has already been issued a case. What should I do with that?
- A - High school students may elect to keep and use their case or return it to the school. **NOTE: If not turned in before, it is expected that the case will be returned when the device is returned at the end of the student's senior year or departure from KCS. If the case is not returned by that time, a missing case fee will be assessed.
Digital Citizenship
- Q - How will students learn about the responsible of technology?
- A - Each student in grades 4-12 will be required to take an age-appropriate course on digital citizenship each year. The course will be online in Canvas, KCS' online curriculum management system. Students that do not complete the digital citizenship course within the first 30 days of school each year will have their device disabled until the course is completed.
"Loaner" Devices
- Q - In the past, KCS has provided a "loaner device" when a student's device was broken. Will that continue in the future?
- A - No, when a device is broken, a replacement will not be provided for the student to take home. Middle school classrooms will have a limited number of devices for in-class use only. High school students will need to check out a device from the library each day for in-school use.
Responsible Use Policy
- Q - Will students and parents still need to sign a Responsible Use Policy each year?
- A - Yes, expectations regarding the use and care of 1:1 devices are outlined in the Responsible Use Policy, which must be signed yearly, within the first 30 days of starting school. The student's device will be disabled if this does not take place.
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.
|
The KCS Responsible Use Policy and Google Apps for Education (GAFE) document can be located in the PDF below.
Contact Us!
Kingsport City Schools
Technology Support Services Department
400 Clinchfield Street, Ste. 200
Kingsport, TN 37660
Ph: (423) 378.2100
Fax: (423) 378.2120