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In recent years, the technology investment in public schools, ranging from K-12 institutions, has grown astronomically. According to Equity Review research, in 1998 alone, “the level of spending on educational technology at the national level was estimated at over $5 billion,” and it has grown each year in the last decade.

While each school’s budget is diverse and unique, programs have been implemented to balance the rising costs of technology and education, aiming to provide all students with equitable access to a learning environment with modern and interactive equipment.

This illuminating article delves into the dynamic landscape of technology implementation and funding in public schools. We examine the various ways technology is being integrated into educational settings, ranging from interactive whiteboards and online learning platforms to coding programs and virtual reality experiences. We also explore the challenges and opportunities associated with funding technology initiatives, considering budget constraints, equity concerns, and the evolving needs of students and educators. By showcasing real-life examples and innovative approaches, we shed light on successful models and best practices that can inspire and guide schools in their technology adoption journey. Whether you're a parent, educator, or education enthusiast, join us as we uncover the transformative potential of technology in public schools and the strategies for securing sustainable funding to ensure equal access and enhanced learning experiences for all students.

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While sports have always been a staple in public schools, many students are taking advantage of non-athletic opportunities, such as academic sports. Both athletes and non-athlete students are discovering that the latest public school clubs are not only building students’ profiles for college applications, but they’re also providing rare opportunities for travel, competitions, awards, and even !

Academic Clubs

An academic club is essentially any school-approved group of students, often with a faculty sponsor, who meet to develop activities or discussions based on their particular topic of interest. Group meetings are often informal, and can even involve after-school field trips, community volunteerism opportunities, or other venues. The intent of an academic club is to generate enthusiasm for a topic while encouraging student involvement and achievement.

While in the past, most academic clubs were based on school subjects, such as the book club, the math club, or the science club, public schools today have a much greater scope in clubs – and even geared towards gifted students. For example, springing up around campuses are “Robotics Clubs,” where students actually design a robot and compete in competitions. Another forum for clubs is technology-based, where “Gaming Clubs,” “Computer Design Clubs,” or “Web Clubs,” have grown in popularity; students not only learn about how the technology works, but they’re also able to have some fun, as they learn to design their own personal or professional web pages or computer-based games.

This video offers suggestions for school

As parents struggle to navigate the balance of fostering their child’s autonomy, versus being actively involved, the timeliness and appropriateness of meeting with a child’s teachers is highly dependent upon a child’s age, his or her behavior, and potential special needs. Whether a child is gifted, struggling, or displaying average abilities play a large factor in determining when to intervene and meet with school leaders.

This video offers an example of a parent-teacher conference.

When to Meet with a Teacher

• Collaborating Insights

If you have serious and pressing concerns about your child’s behavior, his or her academic progress, or other specific or general concerns, teachers can provide a great deal of insight into your child’s behavior. According to Terri Mauro, the author of The Everything Parent’s Guide, “If you have a pressing concern that needs to be addressed right away, don't delay in requesting a meeting yourself.”

Surprisingly, teachers may actually see your child at more constant time frames throughout the day than most parents; once kids are at home, they may play with friends away from supervision, or they may play in their rooms with the door closed. As a result, meeting with a teacher to find out his/her observations about your child’s behavior can help ameliorate concerns, and bring problems to the forefront, while working to brainstorm solutions for success.

• Early Communication to Foster Success

According to the Child Development Institute, “The

As public schools are working to make classrooms fully inclusive, where all children are treated equally, many parents are concerned that their gifted child may not be faced with the appropriate educational environment that fosters challenging learning.

Carol Bainbridge, a board member of the Indiana Association for the Gifted, explains: “To be a gifted child is to demonstrate an exceptional talent in a particular area.” This exceptional talent includes high IQ levels and abilities that can be a predictor and indicator of adult achievement. As schools are implementing increasingly orthodox practices across curriculum areas, many gifted children may be left behind instead of pushed ahead.

Gifted Children

• What Qualifies as “Gifted”?

There are various ranges of “gifted abilities,” ranging from “Mildly Gifted,” all the way to “Profoundly Gifted.” In a standard bell curve, most average learners fall between a range of 85 and 115, with 100 being the absolute norm. According to Carol Bainbridge, “the farther away from the absolute norm of 100 a child is, the greater the need for special educational accommodations, regardless of whether the distance is on the left or right of 100.”

• Lacking a Challenge

While gifted children may possess exceptional abilities, they are not always high achievers. As Bainbridge continues, “even when they don't achieve good grades, they tend to score high on achievement tests, most often in the 95-99 percentile range. They love to learn and their love of learning, good memories, and ability to learn quickly and easily enable them