The board received two minor changes from the district’s personnel policy committee on its recommendation to allow students to bring personal electronic devices to school for use related to instructional purposes.

The PPC recommended allowing teachers to use texting, email or any means necessary to carry on school business. The second change was simply a correction to supply a word accidentally omitted from the board recommended policy.

The policy change would allow students to bring their personal electronic devices - items such as smart phones, iPads and e-readers - to use in facilitating instruction. The proposed policy includes strict guidelines on the use of personal electronic devices, such as mutingringtones and sounds, making their use in the schools and classrooms subject to principals' and teachers' guidelines and setting specific rules and guidelines for electronic communications and social networking.

The recommended policy change came about, at least in part, because of the lectures of Bill Daggett on improving education in the 21st century. Daggett suggests that personal electronic devices can be used to improve instruction and better prepare students to succeed in an age of technology. Daggett, a speaker for International Leadership in Education, is helping schools prepare for the implementation of the newCommon Core Standards.

The board adopted the amended policy on its first reading. It will be brought back for a second reading in January. Policy changes will not go into effect until the next school year.

Community, Pages 6 on 12/28/2011