This document outlines the implementation of a 1:1 laptop initiative in the Cullman City Schools from 2005 to 2012. It shows how the plan was phased in over several years, providing teacher training, classroom upgrades, and distributing laptops to students from grades 7 through 12. Assessment data indicates improved test scores, attendance, discipline, and honors participation over this period. Challenges along the way included managing laptop inventory, software integration, and gaining full teacher and student buy-in to the program.
1. Technology in Cullman City
Schools 2013
Inspiring students for lifelong success through character, citizenship, and scholarship.
2. Alabama State Test Rankings
• Spring 2005: 11th
• Spring 2006: 10th
• Spring 2007: 7th
• Spring 2008: 7th
• Spring 2009: 6th
• Spring 2010: 3rd
• Spring 2011: 3rd
• Spring 2012: 2nd
5. How it Looks Now
At each elementary school, a minimum of 30 laptops is available to each grade level.
Once machines completed their lease, we configured them for elementary needs.
At Cullman Middle School, each student is issued a laptop computer that they are
allowed to take home daily.
At Cullman High School, 30 classrooms have classroom sets are available for daily use.
There are also two laptop carts available for use, a business lab of desktop computers
as well as a tablet lab in the library. We are also allow students to bring their own
computers from home. Students may check out laptops from the library for use at home
to complete school projects (with teacher permission).
Two sets of iPad carts have been added at each school through funding provided by an
Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant.
6. Key Factors: Then and Now
• Board Support
• “The Right People on the Bus”
• Community Involvement
• Faculty Buy-in
• Training
• Support
• Bridging all Facilities
7. Considerations
• Electrical Outlets
• Wireless Connectivity
• Room Design/Set-up
• Software/Content Management
• Textbooks
• Repair Reporting/Warranty Parts Direct
• Organization of Distribution and Collection
• Parent and Student Training
8. The Results: Teacher Perceptions
• Increased Class Time (Spanish/Band)
• Increased Communication
• Collaborative Projects
• Accommodations (Audio Books, etc.)
• Skill Remediation “on the fly”
• Additional Practice for Fast Finishers
• Real-Life Applications and Projects
• Reduced Paper Usage
• Voting
• Increased Desire for New Technologies
10. The Results: By the Numbers
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
Behavior Incidents Classroom Incidents
23.72%
40.26%
42.68%
16.34%
27.29%
13.08%
17.43%
13.65%
26.42%
14.50%
11.72%
2.53%
CMS Discipline
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
Following the 2009-10 school year, the student information system changed from STI Student
Data Management Solutions to iNow (Information Now), preventing tracking of the data as it is
presented in the above format.
11. The Results: By the Numbers
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10
CMS Honor Roll
A-Honor Roll
A/B-Honor Roll
12. The Results: By the Numbers
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Total
Reading
State
Reading
Total Math State Math Language State
Language
CMS SAT-10
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
13. The Results: By the Numbers
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10
74 76
86
89 88
92
63
60
69
65 66 65
CMS Alabama Direct Assessment of Writing
CMS
State
14. The Results: By the Numbers
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
95
100
Reading Math Science
CMS 2005
State 2005
CMS 2006
State 2006
CMS 2007
State 2007
CMS 2008
State 2008
CMS 2009
State 2009
CMS 2010
State 2010
CMS 2011
State 2011
CMS 2012
State 2012
Alabama Reading and Mathematics Test Plus
15. The Results: By the Numbers
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10
94
90
94 92
74
65
76 77
CHS Alabama Direct Assessment of Writing
CHS (10th)
State
16. The Results: By the Numbers
82
84
86
88
90
92
94
96
98
100
Reading Language Science Math Social Studies
CHS 07
State 07
CHS 08
State 08
CHS 09
State 09
CHS 10
State 10
CHS 11
State 11
CHS 12
State 12
Alabama High School Graduation Exam
17. The Results: By the Numbers
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
5
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
Average CHS AP Scores
18. The Results: By the Numbers
18.5
19
19.5
20
20.5
21
21.5
22
22.5
23
23.5
CHS State
23
20.3
22
20.4
22.5
20.3
22
20.3
23.2
20.3
22.3
20.3
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
ACT Scores
19. What You Will Need
Discipline Procedures
Laptop Inventory System
Procedures for Issuing to Late Enrollers or Collecting from Withdrawals
Software That Works in Tandem (Content Management System with
State Student Information Program)
20. Bumps Along the Way
Stolen/Damaged Laptops
Maturity in a Few Students
Bulk Purchasing (when there are issues)
Teacher Buy-in
