Goodbye Textbooks, Hello Technology

In keeping with the Westport Board of Education's mission to help students be successful in the changing 21st-century world, the 2010-2011 school year budget spends less on textbooks and more on technology.

This is the year of the laptop and the SMART board — all in an effort to enhance learning and stay competitive with other schools, say district officials. 

With 327 laptops requested in the budget, the district plans to purchase commercial-grade products. While a home-grade computer from Costco might be a bit cheaper, it won't provide the same amount of memory, lengthy battery charge or longer life span that commercial-grade computers provide, according to district officials.

As for SMART Boards, the district has had them in Westport schools for the past seven years and wants to equalize the distribution among grade levels and schools.

The Board of Education is asking for 53 SMART Boards this year to ensure every kindergarten and first grade class has one and to add more at Staples High School.

The SMART Boards are interactive white boards that allow teachers to engage students in their lessons whether it be learning how to manipulate shapes in kindergarten or solving a math problem in high school.

"If we can have them at these early primary levels that would be a boon for instruction in those classrooms," said Brian Fagan, assistant superintendent of curriculum and professional development for the district.

Stay tuned for more details on Board of Education budget discussions. Click here to view the proposed budget.