The Education Achievement Authority of Michigan will take control over six Detroit high schools and nine elementary schools – including one school that has a new building under construction, officials announced today.

Roy Roberts, the state-appointed emergency manager for Detroit Public Schools and the chairman of the EAA board, approved the transfer of the 15 schools at an EAA board meeting today.

EAA board members also voted to approve the transfer.

The EAA, a new statewide school system for the lowest performing 5% of schools, will oversee the 15 schools starting July 1. The schools are expected to enroll 12,000 students in the fall and receive $ 82 million in state funds.

The list of schools to be transferred includes six of DPS’ 28 high school buildings: Central, Denby, Ford, Mumford, Pershing and Southeastern. Also, nine elementary/middle schools will be transferred to the EAA: Phoenix, Scott, Trix, Stewart, Burns, Nolan, Bethune, Murphy and Law.

John Covington, chancellor of the EAA, called the 15 schools “the worst of the worst” in the city.

“We decided to take those schools that demonstrated that they were in the greatest need of help. We decided to take the lowest of the low.”

The EAA intends to improve achievement by provi…………… continues on Detroit Free Press

WEST DEPTFORD TWP. — Four years into their 1:1 Lap Top initiative, school officials here are looking to expand laptop — and updated technology — use at the high school.

At this week’s board of education meeting, Technology and Special Projects Director Tom Tucci, Curriculum Director Kristin O’Neil and West Deptford High School Principal Brian Gismondi presented to the board a PowerPoint on their plans to integrate technology into the high school and improve the current technology in the middle school.

The plan was originally introduced as a pilot. Due to changes in the budget, their original strategy has been altered, however, Tucci, O’Neil and Gismondi pointed out that keeping up with technology is important for learning.

Tucci presented a scenario that would have the district lease approximately 1,500 laptops for grades five, eight and nine through 12. Grades six, seven and high school teachers would have the already existing but still up-to-date computers. The proposal also includes updating elementary school libraries and labs. This would cost the district about $ 120,000 Tucci said — $ 150,000 less than originally planned.

O’Neil focused on the importance of technology and keeping the school system modern.

“Technology shouldn’t be an add-on, it should be part of it,” she said. “It should be embraced within the lesson…There should…………… continues on Gloucester County Times – NJ.com