Tools for Schools: Plan, Build, Thrive

Susan Tave Zelman, Ohio Department of Education, addressed the question, “Do we have the schools in Ohio our students need?” The way our students learn is being enhanced by technology. The Ohio Department of Education is partnering with education organizations throughout our state to provide resources to teachers through enhanced technology as well. Superintendents saw a sneak preview of Data Driven Decisions for Academic Achievement, D3A2, a statewide collaborative system that houses powerful resources to meet the individual needs of students. Ready to debut in December 2006, D3A2 will put data and resources in the hands of educators in an easy-to-use format. Additionally, those attending will receive a toolkit of ODE resources supporting school improvement during the 2006-07 school year.

Battelle for Kids introduced a new Flat Pack of professional development resources designed to help educators address globalization’s impact on education. Attending superintendents had the opportunity to experience, first-hand, some of the Flat Pack tools, which include a DVD, Flat Fact Card Game, Monograph, Web site and Facilitator’s Guide. Flat Pack tools include practical ideas and strategies to help educators better prepare students to compete and thrive in a flat world. These resources also offer a great way to help educators and others initiate important conversations with parents, students, school boards, businesses, community members and others about this issue as well as the important roles they play in making change happen. The Ohio Department of Education sponsored the production and distribution of a Flat Pack for every Ohio public school in October 2006.

Flat World > Ohio's Initiative > Tools for Schools