Dear Los Angeles Unified School Board Members:
I’m a private citizen who cares about Public Education.
I question the District’s decision to equip every student and teacher with an i-Pad, presumably for pedagogical purposes. These devices are appealing in many ways. I have one. But they don’t replace full-function computers, applications and networking software.
I don’t like that such a costly Implementation allocates no time for independent consultants step in and evaluate results from Phase I before Phase II begins. If there are problems, they should be addressed early on.
Here are some of my questions:
1) How regularly are i-Pads being used for genuine coursework? (with specific examples)
2) What is the actual rate of breakage, loss or threat to student safety?
3) If student or teacher-level data is being collected, is it kept confidential within LAUSD and not used/sold for marketing purposes?
4) Is the LAUSD wireless infrastructure up to speed when the whole class/campus is using them at the same time?
Please make sure the District knows the answer to these things before rushing into Phase II. LAUSD has many needs, and limited funds. Don’t waste them.
Sincerely,
Roberta Eidman, MPH
