“These schools are successfully implementing digital content and curriculum in ways that are improving student success,” said Dr. Kecia Ray, executive director of the Center for Digital Education. “In doing so, they are setting a great example for other schools to follow in how to use technology to spark student engagement.”
DCCAA awards are presented to schools in three categories: Large District/Schools (12,000 or more students), Medium District/Schools (3,000 - 12,000 students) and Small District/Schools (up to 3,000 students). Schools earning top honors this year include:
K-12 Large District/School Honorees (12,000 or more students)
Baltimore County Public Schools – Students and Teachers Accessing Tomorrow (S.T.A.T.) and Growing up Digital
In this phase of the district’s technology adoption program, S.T.A.T., Baltimore County Public Schools implemented the Growing Up Digital program to teach digital citizenship. The curriculum teaches students the positive sides of digital media while also teaching safety issues such as online privacy protection, preventing cyber-bullying, and plagiarism. Technology Liaisons in each building provide additional support to teachers regarding digital safety practices.
Chesterfield County Public Schools, VA – Anytime, Anywhere Learning
This well-planned and comprehensive program has four primary components: transitioning to digital curriculum; one-to-one technology adoption; infrastructure and systems interoperability; and professional development. As part of this initiative, the district has adopted a competitive purchasing process. In addition, the district has a formal and informal structure for collecting, curating and sharing content. OER is vetted and aligned to standards.
Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township, IN – Wayne Learning Hub
Wayne Learning Hub is a centralized delivery platform with a repository of packaged and curated digital content and curriculum, including professional development content – integrated into the district’s Learning Management System, (LMS) – that allows for ease of access, single sign-on, and streamlined delivery. Trained teacher “technology leaders” and coaches work with administrators to develop technology-focused professional development programs. The integration of the curriculum mapping process into the LMS saves $38,000 annually.
K-12 Medium District/School Honorees (3,000 - 12,000 students):
Mooresville Graded School District (MGSD), NC – M-Powerment Strategies
MGSD developed their Instructional Foundations and Effective Practices, or M-Powerment Strategies program, to build on the district’s goals for classroom technology adoption and digital conversion. The district consistently ranks as a top five North Carolina public school district in academic achievement and technology integration, and attributes that success in part to the contributions of technology, infrastructure and digital content. The graduation rate and college-going rate for graduating students have also both increased.
Pickerington Local School District, OH – Tradigital Learning
Pickerington Schools has created a comprehensive blended learning approach, Tradigital Learning is traditional classrooms plus digital classrooms. The new digital content aligns with the newly created Technology Plan by allowing for personalized and differentiated instruction, and replacing traditional textbooks with digital content and curriculum. Teachers create student-centered learning environments utilizing small groups and station rotations. The programs are continuously evaluated using metrics at the district and teacher level, and include student evaluations of the program as well.
K-12 Small District/School Honorees (up to 3,000 students)
Bridges Virtual Academy, WI
Bridges Virtual Academy is an entirely virtual charter school, and available to all Wisconsin students. Instruction is delivered through live seminar classes, scripted digital curriculum courses, and structured independent study, with project-based learning techniques in social studies and science starting in late elementary grades. At half the cost to run a brick-and-mortar school, they have a 94 percent student return rate.
Coxsackie-Athens Central School District, NY – Micro-credentials and Digital Badges for Personalized Learning
The district has transformed their professional development system from seminars and conferences into a personalized, on-demand, micro-credentialing program - available to all district teachers online 24/7. Content is delivered in modules called challenges, that take from 30 minutes - 2 ½ hours to complete, after which the teacher receives a virtual badge. 100 modules, or challenges have already been created for teachers, and over 1,500 badges have been earned.
Napa County Office of Education, CA – Digital Early Literacy
Napa County preschools, with 85 percent of children native Spanish-speaking, implemented a Digital Early Literacy program to help narrow the gap in language skills between native and non-native English-speaking students. The program uses an app which teaches literacy skills including vocabulary, sounds, letters, words, nursery rhymes and colors; and includes a digital library of interactive books and games. Through partnerships with Napa Valley Community Housing, the app is available in women's shelters, libraries and health clinics as well.
Read more about the honorees and their award-winning initiatives.
The Digital Content and Curriculum Achievement Awards program was established by CDE to recognize schools for their innovation and diligence in digital content and curriculum program implementation.
About The Center for Digital Education
The Center for Digital Education (CDE) is a national research and advisory institute specializing in K-12 and higher education technology trends, policy, and funding. CDE provides education and industry leaders with decision support and actionable insight to help effectively incorporate new technologies in the 21st century.
CDE is a division of e.Republic, the nation’s only media and research company focused exclusively on state and local government and education.
For questions please contact Janet Grenslitt, Director of Surveys and Awards, at jgrenslitt@centerdigitaled.com.