M-DCPS ASSESSES DIGITAL NEEDS OF STUDENTS

In response to the Miami-Dade School Board recently authorizing a digital convergence plan by Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho to provide wireless digital education services for students across the school district, a survey was administered to assess the digital device needs of the student population.

The report examined the accessibility District students in grades 6-11 have to electronic devices. It assessed what electrical devices students currently had at home and/or could bring to school as well as whether they had access to the internet outside of the house.

The survey determined that most students had internet access at home or another location outside of school. In addition, they were permitted to go online to do schoolwork. Fewer than half of the students who have access to a portable electronic device thought that they could bring the device to school.

Eighty percent of those surveyed had access to either a laptop or tablet at home but only 40 percent said they could bring it to school. Nearly half said they are comfortable with both digital and traditional textbooks. Thirty-seven percent of middle school students preferred digital textbooks while 39 percent of high school students preferred traditional textbooks.

Following the survey, a Request for Information (RFI) for digital devices will be issued to identify devices that meet instructional needs and that offer the best value for the price.

Funds for the school district’s digital transformation will be provided by the 21st Century School General Obligation Bond Referendum approved by voters last November, which included $100 million for technology upgrades.  A total of $82 million will be spent at school campuses including $38 million for projection systems, interactive technologies, and sound amplification systems.  Another $44 million will be spent on upgrades to school networks.

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13-JJS/157/DF

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