Schools
Hamden School to Get Technology Updates
The state is pitching in more than a half a million dollars for the upgrades. Hamden High School will be the priority, according to school officials.
Hamden Public Schools have been awarded a $674,278 state school technology grant to bring more computers and expanded Internet access to classrooms, especially at Hamden High School, which school officials say has outdated technology.
Supt. of Schools Fran Rabinowitz said she is "very pleased" to be awarded the funds.
"This grant, together with the capital allocation from Hamden. will allow us to buy the computers and infrastructure needed for the new SBAC [Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium] testing, as well as some Smart Boards and projectors," she said. "Our primary focus will be on the high school since the technology is very dated and inadequate, but every school in the district will benefit from the grant and capital allocation.
"Along with quality teachers, up to date technology in the classroom is critical to providing our children with the best educational opportunities as possible,” said Hamden Rep. and House Speaker Brendan Sharkey. “This grant will help give both students and teachers the necessary tools to further enhance the overall learning experience, which is always the ultimate goal.”
Sharkey credited Hamden school officials for their work on the grant application submitted to the State Board of Education. The grants are being issued in support of Common Core Standards adopted in 2010, as well as new computer based testing assessments.
“I am thrilled that Hamden will receive funding for technological upgrades for the Hamden school system, including our high speed internet access and portals, servers and computers,” said Rep. Michael D’Agostino, D-91, a member of the legislature’s Education Committee. “It will enable us to be ready for the implementation of the new common core curriculum and the computerized testing that goes along with it.”
Beginning with the 2014-15 school year, a computer-based Smarter Balanced Assessment System will be used replacing the current math and language arts CMT and CAPT tests. Science CMT and CAPT testing will continue.
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