1. H I S D Becoming #GreatAllOver
PowerUp:Devices and HUB
Progress Report
May 15, 2015
HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

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Next Gen Learning Vision:
Device, HUB, Personalized Learning
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Why are we doing this?
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 What is Next Gen Learning?
– Personalized
– Dynamic and Adaptive
– Competency-based progression
– Anytime, anywhere
– 21st century skills
 The concepts are not new to educators,
but limits of traditional instruction have
made next gen learning mostly
unattainable AT SCALE
 Blended learning is the BRIDGE to
providing Next Gen learning at scale
 PowerUp provides
support to our
teachers to
implement next gen
learning in the
classroom
 Getting buy-in from
teachers, principals,
and support staff is
critical for success

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Personalized Learning Vision
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HISD’s vision is to transform the
teaching and learning environment
through connected, authentic, and
personalized learning experiences.
This will empower students to plan
their futures through the attainment
of college and career readiness
knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

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PowerUp:Device one-to-one implementation
has been smoothly phased
Pilot
Phase 1
• 11 schools
• Teacher devices August 2013
• Student devices January 2014
Pilot
Phase 2
• 20 additional schools
• Teacher devices August 2014
• Student devices January 2015
Roll-out
• Remaining schools
• Teacher devices August 2015
• Student devices January 2016
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PowerUp:HUB
is a central, cloud-based portal
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Functionality details in one-page handout

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RFP process focused on
reliability, functionality, and experience
Process
– Cross-functional group issued a request for proposals
seeking digital teaching platform solutions to facilitate
personalized learning (Spring 2013)
– Step One involved an initial RFP (Spring 2013)
– Step Two requested product demonstrations (Fall 2013)
Selections
– itslearning scored the highest on the State of Texas
vendor selection criteria and was selected as our partner
(Fall 2013)
– Communication support provided by known, Houston-
based education-consulting firm Safal Partners (Fall
2013)
– Board approval (December 2013)
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International
 Stockholm, Sweden
– 185,000 users
 Normandy, France
– 99,000 users
 Oslo, Norway
– 95,000 users
US
 Minneapolis, MN
– 34,500 users
– 37.1% AA
– 19.1% Hispanic
 Forsyth, GA
– 40,000 users
HISD implementation will be
groundbreaking but not unprecedented
Previous itslearning implementations involve both diversity and scale.

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PowerUp:HUB roll-out will take a similar
phased approach
 Phasing follows PowerUp:Device timeline:
– Pilot in 40 schools 2014-2015 including PK-8
• Phase 1 schools [11 schools]
• Phase 2 schools [20
schools]
• Pilot applicant schools [9
schools]
• Non-pilot schools with limited functionality [242
schools]
– Full roll-out in 2015-2016 in remaining schools
 Significant commitment of resources has been made:
– Contracted Services
$6,008,500
– General Supplies $100,000
– Project Contingency $610,850
– Total 9

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PowerUp:HUB
Accomplishments To Date
 February 2013: RFP released.
 December 12, 2013: Board approved budget and
authority to negotiate and execute agreements.
 February 11, 2014: Contract between HISD and itslearning finalized
 March 5-6, 2014: Kickoff of the itslearning project.
 March 28, 2014: itslearning branded as PowerUp:HUB.
 April 9, 2014: Rollout plan finalized.
 April 15, 2014: Training for District System Administrators.
 April 16, 2014: Campuses invited to apply for August pilot group.
 April 24, 2014: Curriculum Template shells
identified and uploaded.
 May 6, 2014: Campuses selected.
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PowerUp:HUB
Going Forward
 Single Sign On integration May 2014
 Student Information System integration June 2014
 Curriculum document and link migration May – July 2014
 Professional Development
– Central Office and School Administrators June 2014
– Trainers June – July 2014
– Teachers August 2014
 Product Development Requirements begins October 2014
 Student Assessments in PowerUp:HUB 2014-2015
 Full Roll-Out 2015-2016
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12. H I S D Becoming #GreatAllOver 12
Kevin Mason Joe Garcia
Junior High Student 1st Grade Student
Ellie Mason
Parent of Kevin and
Ellie
English teacher
Mary Mason
About:
• 9th grade student
• Loves to
communicate with
others using
technology.
• Wants to be a
graphic designer.
• Needs help with
writing skills.
• Struggles keeping
organized.
About:
• Parent of a 9th grader
and a 1st grader
• Wants to know how
she can help ensure
her children complete
homework and
assignments.
• Willing to use
technology to better
communicate with her
children’s teachers.
About:
• 9th Grade Teacher
• Strong with technology
and sees the value in
integrating technology
into everyday
classroom instruction
• Believes others can
benefit from his
teaching experience
and enjoys sharing
with others
About:
• 1st grade student
• Struggling reader
• Loves to play video
games.
• Prefers talking to
writing.
• Favors the color pink.
PowerUp:HUB Benefits
Students (PK-12), Parents, and Teachers

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PowerUp will continue to evolve
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PowerUp
PK:
Universal
ES: Tablet-
based
literacy
MS: Project-
based
learning
HS: Linked
Learning
Higher-ed
opportunities

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Appendix A: 40 Pilot Schools
PowerUp Phase 1
1. Energy Institute HS
2. Austin HS
3. Bellaire HS
4. Chavez HS
5. Kashmere HS
6. Lee HS
7. Madison HS
8. Sam Houston HS
9. Sharpstown HS
10. Young Men’s Prep Academy
11. Young Women’s Prep Academy
PowerUp Phase 2
1. Challenge Early College
2. Davis HS
3. East Early College
4. Eastwood Academy
5. HAIS
6. HSLEJC
7. Lamar HS
8. Liberty HS
9. Long Academy
10. Milby 10-12
11. Reagan HS
12. Scarborough HS
13. Sharpstown International
14. Waltrip HS
15. Westbury HS
16. Westside
17. Wheatley
18. Yates
19. Jones
20. Carnegie Vanguard
Elementary and Middle
1. Benbrook ES
2. Hartsfield ES
3. Law ES
4. Tinsley ES
5. Herrera ES
6. Lyons ES
7. Wainwright ES
8. Burbank MS
9. Attucks MS
Additional Schools under consideration
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