Cherokee Ranks Among The Best In Classroom Technology

For the ninth time in 10 years, the Cherokee County School District has been praised for its "effective" use of technology in the classroom.

The district ranks ninth among the top 10 large school districts across the country in the annual Digital School Districts Survey conducted by the Center for Digital Education and the National School Boards Association. 

The survey compares public school districts from across the country and awards top 10 rankings to districts "that fully integrate technology into the classroom, and throughout their system as a whole," according to the district's press release.

Since 2004, the district has made an appearance on the top 10 list nine times.

“We have made technology – not only equipping our classrooms and offices, but also training our employees to use it effectively to improve instruction to students, use resources more wisely and better communicate with our community – a major priority for the school district,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo.  “Understanding technology and how to best use it is a skill that every student must master in order to succeed in the careers of today and tomorrow, and we would not be able to sustain this continued commitment without the support of our community and its approval of SPLOST referenda." 

The survey evaluates areas of digital and emerging technologies, including: integration of mobile devices and technology into curriculum; technology leadership and transparency in school board policies and meetings; strategic planning, data management and safety; and education delivery models and professional development opportunities, including instruction in and the use of technology tools by teachers and students. 

School systems also were judged on: digital content and curriculum strategies; infrastructure and networks; and participation in bring your own device programs, which the district has implemented with its Bring Your Learning Device (BYLD) to school initiative. 

The Top 10 list also highlights outstanding use of technology to govern school systems, improve operations and communicate with students, parents and the community at large.