Benavente approves PSS tech plan

Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente has finally approved the Public School System’s Technology Plan for 2004 to 2007 last Friday, paving the way for improvements to students’ access to information technology.

PSS associate commissioner for administrative services David M. Borja said the school system is thankful that the “tech plan” has officially been signed by Benavente, as the schools “really need” the plan. “We do thank the lieutenant governor for helping us out,” he said.

Borja said the project is seen to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity in public schools.

Under the plan, PSS aims to improve the computer-student ratio to 5:1 for elementary students, 4:1 among sixth to eighth graders and 3:1 for ninth and twelfth grade students—a set-up that would bring PSS up to par with international standards.

The tech plan indicated that there was an average of 10 students to each computer in CNMI public schools in the previous school year.

There were only 511 desktop computers connected to a network and the Internet, while 682 were stand-alones, which means they did not have access to the Web. Also, there were 272 laptops and only 77 network printers being used all over the CNMI school system.

PSS officials said that improving this ratio would help students use these computers as tools to enhance learning. The computers are also eyed to help students “communicate, collaborate, publish, and interact with peers, experts, and other audiences, and use a variety of media and formats to communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences.”

By providing these computers to CNMI students, they would be able to locate, evaluate and collect information from a variety of sources and to process data and report results; and for students to solve problems, make informed decisions, and develop strategies.

The technology plan is also in accordance with the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

PSS E-rate network program manager Cathy Salas said the signed Technology Plan would also allow the entire education system to acquire telecommunication and Internet access from technology vendors for only 10 percent of charging fees. She said the E-rate funding would make PSS eligible for up to 90 percent discounts on all telecommunication and Internet access and technology. Without the plan, the school system would have to pay 100 percent of this access.

Salas said the technology plan is a three-year plan for the school that needs updating every year. “So even if it says 2004 to 2007, next year it would be 2005-2008 and it will continue to be a living document,” said Borja.

Though the plan is from the PSS, it would still require the Executive Branch’s approval. The board would have to apply the recommended changes in the plan then it will be forwarded to Governor’s Office. The approved document plan then would be PSS’ reference for its implementation and for submission for E-rate application for additional funding from the federal government.

Borja said the technology plan is a document that ties together the PSS’ long-range plan on how to use technology to improve student learning.

The plan also covers teacher quality enhancements that underscore the need to have CNMI teachers receive computer technology training as part of their professional development.