Excellence In Education
Dr. Kathy T. Spencer, Superintendent
History of Project K-nect
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February 2000 – Governor Hunt and President
Clinton Research/Call to Action
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May 2007 - Project Introduction @ NCDPI
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January 2008 - Staff Development, Partner
Relationships, Student Implementation
Project Needs Assessment
 Address
 Home
three core needs:
Internet Access (Digital Divide)
 21st Century Skills
 Math & Science Skills Deficit
21st Century Skills & Digital Divide
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Digital Divide
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Socio-Economics
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Access to home computers
Access to internet access
Access to broadband services
Globally competitive students
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Competencies in use of technology
Ahead of international competition
Math and Science Skills Deficit
National Issues
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22% College Freshman took remedial math
Science/Engineering Careers
 Need = 5%
 Domestic Production of these Degrees = 2%
20% reduction in Engineering Majors
Science/Engineer Course (1994-2001)
 10% decline in US students
 35% increase in foreign students
Program for International Studies Assessment (PISA)
Trends in International Math and Science Studies (TIMSS)
Project K-nect Criteria
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Secondary At-Risk students
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Lack of at-home internet access
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Limited access to devices
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Free and reduced lunch
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Below average math proficiency levels
Goals & Objectives
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Peer-to-Peer collaboration & communication
Increase mathematic achievement for 9th & 10th grade
students in North Carolina
Enable safe closed social, educational communications
between students, teachers & parents
To empower secondary students with 21st century skills
To test the efficacy and viability of mobile devices as an
educational resource
Teacher Professional Development
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3-day staff development
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Focus on:
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Environment that encompasses
knowledge transfer
Team Building
Collaboration
Learning Community
Student Professional Development
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1-day training
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Focus on:
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Acceptable Use Policy
Accessing Problem Sets
Device Utilization
Social Networking
Student Participation
Year 1 ( Spring 2008)
 Algebra I (9th Grade)
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2 Onslow County High Schools
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Dixon High & Southwest High
Year 2 ( 2008-2009)
 Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II
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3 Onslow County High Schools
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Dixon High, Southwest High, Richlands High
Student Participation
Year 3 (2009 – 2010)
 Algebra I Project K-Nect at existing 3 high
schools
 1 Geometry and Algebra II class at 2 of these
high schools
 Pre-calculus/Calculus class at 1 of these high
schools
Summary Project K-Nect Impacts
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4 out of 4 cohort classes outperformed other
Algebra 1 classes(EOC)
Aggregate gain of all classes was 20%
All classes scored at least 10% higher than state
average on EOC
Students reported increased communication
with teacher and peers
Project K-Nect Next Steps

Qualcomm Inc. has funded another year of Project KNect in Onslow County through January 2011
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Continuation Funding: 1st cohort has moved from the
Alg I, Geometry, Alg II Sequence – and during
2009-10 will be completing Precalculus/AP Calculus
2nd cohort – engaged in Future Ready Sequence
Onslow Connect Project Model
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DODEA Grant Initiative
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Mathematics Model utilizing Technology
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Instructional Technology Facilitators
Student Netbooks/Technology Access
21st Century Classroom
Student2Student Transition Model
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Transition Counselors
Student Training/Family Support Programs
Onslow Connect: Math Component
Year 1 – ( 2009-2010)
 Fall 2009 – Algebra I Professional
Development for all high school teachers
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Spring 2010 – Implementation in all Algebra I
classes at initial 3 high schools
Onslow Connect: Math Component
Year 2 – ( 2010- 2011)
 Algebra I classes at all 7 high schools
implement
Year 3 – (2011-2012)
 Pursuit of resources to continue to expand
Onslow Connect into Geometry/Algebra II
Onslow County: Taking Next Steps
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Empowering all Educators: Tiered Technology
Plan
Focusing on Technology as a 21st Century
Education Tool
Exploring new initiatives for technology based
staff and student learning
Excellence in Education