Maine ASCD Weblog

MLTI Goes to High School

Sometime during the summer, when apparently no one was looking, the Maine Department of Education procured a deal with Apple Computer to purchase laptop computers for Maine's high school students and teachers. Even though this was discussed during the year and was, at one time, part of the Governor's budget proposal, it was thought to be a dead issue given the emphasis on cost savings and the tenacity of the school district consolidation debate. So, the news has taken many people by surprise, not the least of which are the district technology coordinators who are scurrying around to figure out what to do next.

The decision to expand the Maine Learning Technology Initiative into the secondary schools is not without controversy. Judging from the chatter on the ACTEM listserv, there are a multitude of dimensions out there. Some of the angst is apparently related to the choice of Apple Computer as the vendor. Most of Maine's secondary schools currently have computers available to students and staff but apparently few of them are Apples. School, having to purchase computers in bulk without state aid apparently may have determined that vendors other than Apple provided a better bang for their bucks. It is also possible that there is a bias against Apple since the MS Windows operating system is the dominate one around the world and it makes sense to prepare students to work in that environment.

Nonetheless, the Apple supporters are beating the drums and there are ample discussions about a software package called Parallels which allows you to run Windows on a Mac. Mixed in are some people voicing support for open-source operating systems and office suites like Ubuntu, Linux and Open Office.

We'll keep monitoring this chatter and let you know how things develop.

~John Brandt

Did You Know 2.0

An official update to the original "Shift Happens" video from Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod, this June 2007 update includes new and updated statistics, thought-provoking questions and a fresh design. For more information, or to join the conversation, please visit http://shifthappens.wikispaces.com. Content by Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod, design and development by XPLANE. I am sharing this because the message is so powerful and speaks for itself. I recommend you play the video for your staffs, administrators, school board and parents. ~John Brandt

Look Who's Back!

Almost like clockwork, the sabre rattling has started with the next round of commentary about the "Taxpayers Bill of Rights" (TABOR).

I hate to say, "I told you so," and to some extent I suspect that regardless of what the Maine Legislature did this past session this would happen, but the TABOR folks appear to be back in force and trying to build up some momentum.

It can't help matters when the media is reporting, almost daily, about overspending in the Portland School District's budget and the "feet dragging" that is going along with school district consolidation efforts only fuel the debate. Reading the comments left on the MaineToday website, it is evident that there are still lots of people in Maine who are angry about "high taxes" and looking for a new fight.

So, the issue of taxes, and tax burdens, and TABOR have not gone away; they've just been on vacation in Vacationland.

~John Brandt

New Maine ASCD Website in the Works

Please pardon our appearance . . .as we perform a complete redesign of the Maine ASCD website.

Over the years, we have endeavored to keep the Maine ASCD website updateD, looking trendy, and using the latest technologies. It has easily become a full time job! So, to alleviate some of the burden, we have installed a content management system called Drupal and will use this to update and maintain the Maine ASCD website. Among the many things Drupal can do is allow the site to be updated and maintained from any locale where one has access to the web. This means that basically any computer can be used. If staff are away from the office computer, the updates can still take place. And, different people can be put in charge of updating different sections of the site.

Another unique feature of Drupal is the ability to give access to certain parts of the website only to registered users. This means we will be able to segregate certain content and provide access only to active members. For example, at some point in the future we may provide a completely digital version of the Journal of Maine Education in addition to the print version, but only active members will be able to access the contents.

The new system will eventually be built out to allow for more active participation between and among members including more discussion groups, wikis and other Web 2.0 features. One thing we are moving towards is a system that will allow members to edit their own membership information on-line and subscribe and unsubscribe to different contents, listserv, etc.

So, we apologize for the inconvenience of having the site down for a few days, but we are working hard to get all of the original content back on-line as soon as possible. We hope you will enjoy the new site when it is up and running.

~John Brandt

Emerging Leaders

Several years ago, ASCD created a new program designed to acknowledge new and emerging leaders in the educational profession. Each year since 2005, ASCD had chosen 14 new members for the Emerging Leader Program; educators who have been in the profession from 5 to 15 years, hold promise as ASCD leaders, and are committed to fulfilling leadership opportunities.

"ASCD continues to be committed to engaging a diverse community and building capacity to improve learning, teaching, and leadership," said ASCD Executive Director Gene R. Carter. "The Emerging Leaders Program equips new leaders to advance ASCD positions, strengthen ASCD's voice for influencing policy and practice, and become involved in ASCD governance activities."

Nominated by ASCD leaders, emerging leaders participate in a mentorship program and complete a program of activities that includes ASCD Professional Development Online courses designed to create an understanding of the Association's mission, history, and community. The emerging leaders will also take part in the ASCD Leadership for Effective Advocacy and Policy (LEAP) Institute, September 16–18, 2007, in Arlington, Va., which will feature visits on Capitol Hill.

For more information about the next round of nominations for the Emerging Leaders Program, please visit the ASCD Emerging Leaders website.

~John Brandt