Cleveland City Schools has completed its strategic goal of providing every student with a laptop. This multi-year, one-to-one objective is part of the BLADE Project (Blended Learning and Digital Enhancement)
"This is a significant milestone in the overall digital transformation of the district," officials said. "This tremendous
accomplishment is due to the vision and leadership of Director of Schools Dr. Russell Dyer, as well as the progressive thinking and support of the Cleveland City Schools Board of Education members."
The BLADE Project began with devices at Cleveland Middle School and Cleveland High School three years ago and has now been expanded to include all grades.
Elementary students have a 2-in-1 Chromebook laptop that can be used as a tablet or as a traditional computer.
Middle school students received an Apple MacBook in January. "This laptop replaced their
existing devices with brand new, powerful machines that allow for the creation of new products to deepen their educational experiences," officials said.
Teachers in Cleveland City Schools also have MacBooks that were
distributed earlier this school year. Cleveland High School students are slated to receive new devices that arrive this summer for fall deployment.
To support the integration of technology into the classroom, Cleveland City Schools has created three instructional technologist positions called BLADE facilitators. The BLADE facilitators work 1-on-1 and with groups of teachers to deliver job-embedded training on best practices and innovative teaching strategies.
Cleveland City Schools continues to expand after-school and at-home availability of Internet access to its students. Every school parking lot has Wi-Fi access that any student can use with easy access in all communities. Additionally, Cleveland City Schools continues to expand its mobile hotspot availability.
Students can check these hotspots out from their schools to ensure that they can continue their learning at home.
Through the BLADE Project, Cleveland City Schools seeks to empower students and teachers with the latest technology and resources that enable them to more effectively lead, teach and learn. By the start of the next school year, every teacher and student in Cleveland City Schools will have received a new laptop within the previous 12 months.
"As Cleveland City Schools moves forward, its teachers and students are well positioned with new tools they can use to enhance the classroom learning experience," officials said.