Published: November 04, 2009 08:33 am      

Digital education

Survey ranks Madison schools seventh nationally in technology

A recent survey by the National School Board’s Association ranks the Madison County school district seventh nationally among districts of similar size in its use of technology and digital education.

Madison County was the only Kentucky school district of any size to be ranked by the survey, according to a news release from the school board.

The district was compared to others of medium size — with 2,501 to 15,000 students — across the country.

The results were published in Converge magazine, a co-sponsor of the survey.

“It is an honor to know that the hard work of so many is being recognized on the nation level,” said Superintendent Tommy Floyd, upon learning of the ranking.

The district has been careful to select cost-effective equipment to stretch its budget while still providing “the best technology available for all of our students,” Floyd said.

Charlene McGee, the district’s director of technology, attributed the award to her staff and the superintendent’s leadership.

“My department is one of the most talented, in the area of technology, throughout the state, and I recognize our successes are that of a team not individuals,” she said.

“Superintendent Floyd actively demonstrates his desire to provide not only the best technology for our students but the best instructional personnel and materials.”

McGee said the district uses technology in almost every aspect of its operations — instruction, testing, administration and communication.

Parents can go online to pay for students’ school meals, track their grades, attendance and school bus routes, she said.

The MAP testing technology, implemented this year, gives teachers immediate assessment of a student’s progress so that needs can be addressed immediately, McGee said.

Instructional technology is becoming increasingly important in the areas of math and science, she said.

Each summer, the district hosts a teaching and learning conference for its personnel and those from nearby districts to keep them up to date on instructional technology, McGee said.

More information about the digital education awards can be obtained from the Web site, convergemag.com/awards.

Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@richmondregister.com or at 624-6622.