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State Board of Education Meeting Highlights
Jan. 31, 2013
Board Meeting Held at Howe Public Schools
The State Board of Education met at Howe Public Schools on Jan. 31, 2013. State Superintendent Janet Barresi said she wanted to board to see the advances the rural school district has made in the area of digital learning. "This school is the tip of the spear in this movement," Barresi said. "I wanted board members to be able to see what must become possible for districts throughout our state." She said as schools move toward online assessments and increasingly sophisticated learning they must be able to increase their bandwidth, be able to purchase the latest technological devices and provide appropriate professional development for teachers.
 Howe Superintendent Scott Parks said he and his staff started building their digital learning program by pursuing small grants, which eventually turned into larger grants.
Former Technology Director Dr. Lance Ford explained that the vision for the district was to expand learning beyond the four walls of the buildings where students attend class. He said the staff engaged students in creatively thinking of what they would like to learn and do with technology. Last year, this led to a virtual field trip to President George Washington's Mount Vernon home."We began by telling stories in our own back yard, and eventually that back yard became Mount Vernon," Ford said.
Parks advised that when considering digital learning possibilities, districts need to dream big but most important is to start somewhere.
Cutline: Howe Public Schools Technology Director Tammy Parks, left, asks a student to show State Board of Education member Amy Ford a digital lesson.
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 Board Recognizes Ridge Howell
The State Board of Education recognized Checotah High School senior Ridge Howell, a 2012 White House Champion of Change. Howell was among a group of 11 FFA and 4-H members recognized last fall by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Office of Public Engagement for the White House for the exceptional ways the teens are helping their communities. Howell assists senior citizens in his community in a variety of ways. He helped plan a local prom for senior citizens. He mows lawns and works in a community garden, delivering produce to area senior citizens. Howell's agriculture education instructor Jason McPeak attended Thursday's board meeting. Board member Amy Ford represents the Checotah area and helped present Howell with a certificate of recognition.
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