Improved access to learning: to maximize student learning, everyone in the school community needs timely and effective access to the right information and learning resources

Leadership, Nov-Dec, 2002 by Sandra Miller, Michael Simkins

For one principal, improving student learning means improving access. Students need access to standards-based learning opportunities. Teachers need access to content and teaching tools. Parents need access to ways to help their children continue learning outside of school. If every member of the school community is going to share responsibility, for student learning, all--from the custodian to the principal--need access to many kinds of information and resources. Technology is an ally in providing access.

A new kind of principal referral

It's 10:40 a.m. and a fifth grade student is sent to the principal for disrupting the class. The note from the teacher says, "Kevin can't get his work done." Principal Don Frank talks to Kevin, who says, "I don't know how to do this kind of fractions: that's why I didn't do my homework last night either." Kevin shows Frank his paper.

The principal leads the student to a computer and accesses a program from the school's server. He has Kevin do the tutorial for the skills that seem close to the assignment, as well as the practice component. Frank continues with other work until Kevin returns. Frank inspects Kevin's now correctly completed paper and sends him back to class. The entire incident took 30 minutes. After school the teacher stops by to say Kevin came back with his completed homework and "he now knows fractions; in fact he is ahead of the class."

Learning tools

As most principals know, many students end up in the office because their needs are not met in the classroom. Misbehavior results. Yet principals also understand the teacher's challenge in working with individual student needs and the wide span of skills in the classroom. Although the referral described above represents a typical incident, the ending is different. Technology gave this principal access to the tools to improve student learning. His entire staff has this access as well.

At Willow Elementary in the Charter Oak Unified School District, principal Don Frank believes that access to learning is the foundation for students, teachers, parents, support staff and community to ensure that learning is the main focus of the school.

Willow has a popular software program that encourages students to read many books and take comprehension tests to demonstrate their understanding and move up the levels. Students are highly motivated, with no extra incentives because they have access to the testing software when they are ready.

The library is open all day every day for testing, checking out books, and research on one of several computers. Books for the next level can quickly be located from any computer in the school; and if the book is checked out, the student can check the community library's catalog via the school's server. At Willow; students come to the library on an "as needed" basis; classes are not assigned a set time. It's normal to see two students returning from the library reading as they walk.

Students like to challenge themselves. Moving up the levels means students need immediate access for taking a test when they are ready. Students can take tests at one of three classroom computers (or maybe even use the teacher's workstation if it isn't busy). This year they will take tests before or after school at day care because computers there are linked to the school's server. Some take tests in the office. Once a student asked the custodian to use his computer because she wanted to test out to the next level. She knew the custodian was a part of the learning community and he could help her learn.

Parents also have access and play a big supporting role in encouraging students to read. Parents can check progress and reading lists from home and see which books are next. They can continue a learning conversation with their child about their reading and what book might be read next.

The software

The software Principal Don Frank used with Kevin provides both reading and math skills. The program can quickly assess a student's level, provide tutorials, practice and testing. It can be used in many ways. At Willow, the purchase of this program included a provision that parents could be given CDs to work with their students at home. Weekly family literacy nights provide guidance, and soon online availability is planned.

Parents and students have access to the library and computer lab at all times. This access to technology allows students to move rapidly through the lessons, and parents can monitor and encourage their progress. Teachers are coming to realize the power of this program as a teaching tool for their whole class, as well as a way to provide individualized instruction.

Frank encourages the use of this technology in the classroom. When observing in classrooms, he has been known to ask to "help" with the lesson. He focuses the students on the 27-inch classroom monitor above the teaching station, accesses the concept in the learning software and facilitates the tutorial lesson. The students have learned and so has the teacher. The follow-up is left to the teacher, who can conduct practice sessions for some students, use the program's assessment for that concept, or give a teacher-made assessment.