Response to Intervention Project

Franklin Elementary School was selected this summer by the West Virginia Department of Education to implement the Response to Intervention Program. The 3-Tier Reading Model is a scientific, research-based "prevention" model that provides an instructional framework for delivering assessment-driven, differentiated instruction to all students, including students at risk for and students with reading difficulties. It focuses on reading instruction that uses scientific research-based core, supplemental and intervention reading programs. It also identifies struggling readers and provides the support they need.

This analysis is being performed though the assessment program DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills). DIBELS is a set of seven assessment measures that were explicitly developed to measure the essential components of early reading. We can identify students at risk of future reading difficulty early in the process — when there is still time to make a change and improve their chances of reading success.

Franklin Elementary K-3 and North Fork Elementary K-1 teachers have been equipped with small handheld devices called Palms. The DIBELS assessment software was installed on the Palms providing the teachers with a touch screen device to easily administer the tests. The data is then downloaded onto their computers and processed into colorful reports for teachers and parents. Time-consuming paper-pencil assessments are now giving way to technological data-gathering software programs allowing more time for teachers to work one-on-one with students.

More Than 100 Teachers Meet for Technology Training

Posted: 13 July 2006
CHARLESTON, WV. More than 100 West Virginia teachers have gathered in Charleston to become technology integration specialists as part of the West Virginia Department of Education's effort to incorporate 21st century skills into the classroom.

The teachers, including special education and career-technical teachers, library media specialists and Ed Tech grant-funded educators — all received free laptops during the week-long session that is part of a 40-day program.

Once trained, the technology specialists will take their new skills back to their home schools where they will help other teachers integrate technology into their teaching plans to improve student achievement.
"Technology is at the core of 21st century learning," said state Superintendent of Schools Steve Paine. "In a digital world, the 21st century learner must learn to use technology to master the core subjects and other important skills. Teachers play a critical role in how their students will learn the skills they need to succeed in the 21st century."

The training session comes only months after Education Week Magazine identified West Virginia's educational technology system as the best in the nation. In Technology Counts 2006, West Virginia was named the top state for computer access, data use and technology capacity in schools across the state. The state received an A, while the nation received an overall grade of C-plus.

Judy Waggoner, our middle school technology teacher participated in this training.

West Virginia’s school technology policies and implementation strategies are among the best in the nation according to Technology Counts 2008: STEM, The Push to Improve Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The state received an overall score of 95.3 on the report, which ranks West Virginia at the top of the class for its use of technology.
Read the WVDE article
Read the 9-page report

Distance Learning - Quotes from those involved

Student: "Pendleton County High School, through its video distance learning classes, has provided me with some amazing opportunities. I have had the chance to take advanced classes and college courses in which I've received one-on-one attention from very competent professors.

"After taking College English and Calculus though distance learning, I now feel capable of competing with students from large schools and just as prepared for college as they are. The distance learning program is definitely a blessing for many students attending PCHS in this rural area."

Read more from those involved in the distance learning classes.

Enhancing Education Through Technology Grant

Pendleton County students and faculty have been given the opportunity to maximize their 21st Century Skills by means of the federally funded Enhancing Education through Technology Grant. These funds were used to purchase a digital visual presenter which was paired with a laptop, interactive white board and projector. Mary Beth Lambert utilized this technology with her 9-12 mathematics and physics classes. The digital visual presenter allowed her to project student work onto the projector for whole class instruction. The interactive white board responds with a mere touch allowing students and teachers to manipulate, draw, and work problems. She can create and save lessons on the laptop and project them on the white board allowing all students to participate.

A projector and video flex digital camera was also provided for the high school science department. The video flex can be attached to a microscope which then projects the image onto a screen. It can capture images from books, the computer, dissection demonstrations, or identification of microscopic organisms. This will enable the instructor to engage the entire class versus trying to coordinate many microscopes.

This course is being provided by a Benedum Foundation grant that was awarded to ten high schools in the state. The grant is managed out of the Office of the Governor under the direct supervision of Nancy Sturm, Educational Technology Advisor to Governor Manchin.

The benefits to this program to Pendleton County are:

High tech certified student computer repair technicians in our high school
On-site computer repair facility located in our high school
Trained workforce to aid with high-tech projects
Student preparation for work after high school or high tech major in college
School prepared to offer other Aries Technology subjects: Network Essentials, Server Essentials, Wireless Essentials, Linux

The course is open to students in grades 9-12. If a student is interested, he or she may call the school Mondays (during the summer) when one of the principals is available to answer questions about the application process.

Read the Aries Technology Course Description here.

Technology Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Why use technology?
2. What kind of technology can I use?
3. What does my county/school technology plan say about technology use?
4. What about standards?
5. What about Content Standards?
6. What about lesson plans?
7. What about E-mail?
8. What does the county/school acceptable use policy say?
9. How can I use the Internet?
10. Where do I turn for help?

Homework Help Abounds Online

Links to free programs and sites, which may be of interest to parents and teachers, are available here. Read more. . .

For example, Tinyspell sits in the corner of your screen and monitors typing. If you misspell a word, it sounds an alert.

Another is Babel Fish from Alta Vista. Translate this page into Russian by typing the URL in the space provided. Try it!