Local Critical Issue:Local Critical Issue:Adding E-learningAdding E-learningDemographic Research SummaryDemographic Research Summary

Audience IdentificationAudience IdentificationTim E. HasseTim E. HasseB.A. EnglishB.A. English

B.S. EducationB.S. Education

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What Are the Issues?What Are the Issues? Northland Community Schools do not use Northland Community Schools do not use

digital strategies to enhance classes offered. digital strategies to enhance classes offered. Open source learning management systems like Open source learning management systems like

Moodle could be used to combine face to face Moodle could be used to combine face to face classes with 24/7 access to course materials.classes with 24/7 access to course materials.

Combining F2F instruction with creative uses of Combining F2F instruction with creative uses of digital strategies could have positive impact for digital strategies could have positive impact for students.students.

Teacher training could be accomplished success-Teacher training could be accomplished success-fully by current staff using open educational fully by current staff using open educational resources.resources.

Who Is My Audience?Who Is My Audience?

There are several critical audiences that would There are several critical audiences that would be affected by this proposal in my districtbe affected by this proposal in my district

1.1. TeachersTeachers

2.2. StudentsStudents

3.3. Parents of studentsParents of students

4.4. Administrative personnelAdministrative personnel

5.5. School board membersSchool board members

Declining Enrollment DataDeclining Enrollment Data

In the past our In the past our graduating class sizes graduating class sizes were about 50-60 were about 50-60 studentsstudents

These numbers have These numbers have decreased and are decreased and are getting smallergetting smaller

(Worner, 2003).(Worner, 2003).

Year #

02-03 559

03-04 530

04-05 519

05-06 491

06-07 466

07-08 450

08-09 438

SES Statistics for ISD 118’s Five SES Statistics for ISD 118’s Five CommunitiesCommunities

Private Wage orSalary 66%Government20%Self-employed13%Unpaid familywork 1%

Types of Workers

Average Wage/ Job: $23,132 (City-data.com)

General Welfare Statistics in General Welfare Statistics in Cass County, MNCass County, MN

Persons Served Persons Served PaymentsPayments12/07 12/07 12/08 12/08 12/07 12/07 12/08 12/08

Diversionary Work Program Diversionary Work Program 117 117 121 121 13,93713,937 13,036 13,036 MN Family Investment Pm MN Family Investment Pm 979 979 945 945 242,572 237,144242,572 237,144 Emergency Assistance Emergency Assistance 8 8 4 4 1,8171,817 300 300 Food Support (FS) Food Support (FS) 1976 1976 2262 2262 199,663 237,764199,663 237,764 MN Supplemental Aid (MSA) MN Supplemental Aid (MSA) 105 105 120 120 8,4708,470 9,938 9,938 General Assistance (GA) General Assistance (GA) 114 114 115 115 19,66619,666 19,926 19,926 Group Residential Housing Group Residential Housing 100 100 105 105 36,193 40,34536,193 40,345 Emergency GA Emergency GA 0 0 2 2 0 0 452 452

(2008 Cass County Annual Report)

Religious and Ethnic DemographicsReligious and Ethnic Demographics

White 86.2

AmericanIndian 12.6

Multiracial 1.5

Hispanic .8

Lutheran 6%

Catholic 29%

Evangelical39%

UnitedChurch ofChrist 6%

Other 20%

(ZipSkinny.com demographic information for 56672)

Political Data from 2008 ElectionPolitical Data from 2008 Election  Presidential

CandidateVice PresidentialCandidate

PoliticalParty

Popular Vote

John S. McCain, III

Sarah Palin Republican 8,660 53.11%

Barack H. Obama

Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

Democratic-F.L.

7,276 44.62%

Ralph Nader Matt Gonzalez

Independent 217 1.33%

Charles O. Baldwin

Darrell L. Castle

Constitution 41 0.25%

www.uselectionatlas.com

Average Voter ISD 118 DataAverage Voter ISD 118 Data Average voter in our district is between the ages Average voter in our district is between the ages

50-55.50-55. Second largest group is between 30-35 and has Second largest group is between 30-35 and has

children in schoolchildren in school There are a huge number of absentee ballots cast in There are a huge number of absentee ballots cast in

our school district our school district 452 of 1,237 ballots cast in last failed referendum vote 452 of 1,237 ballots cast in last failed referendum vote

were absentee ballots—1/3 of the vote!were absentee ballots—1/3 of the vote! Under 25 vote is low (consistent w/ nat. trends)Under 25 vote is low (consistent w/ nat. trends) Native American vote is also low (same comment)Native American vote is also low (same comment)

(Operating Referendum Data, 2007)(Operating Referendum Data, 2007)

Marital Statistics for Cass CountyMarital Statistics for Cass County

•75 % divorce rate for men over 35 (city-data.com)

•80% divorce rate for women over 30

•Lots of single parent homes in our district

Teacher Statistics for ISD118Teacher Statistics for ISD118•Teacher to pupil ratio is approximately 11 to 1

•65% of teachers have more than 10 years exp.

•100% of teachers considered highly qualified

•15% of teachers have a Master’s degree

•2% of our teachers have Moodle training

•2 of 48 teachers are actively using E-learning

(Northland Community Schools Report Cards, 2008)

Teacher Statistics for ISD 118Teacher Statistics for ISD 118 1 high school principal1 high school principal 1 elementary principal for two campuses1 elementary principal for two campuses 1 superintendent1 superintendent O media specialists; 2 clerical parasO media specialists; 2 clerical paras 14 paraprofessionals (all highly qualified)14 paraprofessionals (all highly qualified) Average Ages: teachers (37), Average Ages: teachers (37),

administrators (51), secretaries (53)administrators (51), secretaries (53) Average teacher salary is $51,000.Average teacher salary is $51,000.(Northland Community Schools Report Card, 2008)

2008/2009 Northland Community Schools2008/2009 Northland Community SchoolsBoard of Education:Board of Education:

Chairperson: Clinton LilyquistChairperson: Clinton LilyquistVice chairperson: Dave KitchenhoffVice chairperson: Dave Kitchenhoff

Treasurer: Ione BoorTreasurer: Ione BoorClerk: Terry Gross Clerk: Terry Gross

Bill HansenBill HansenJohn WelkJohn Welk

Education Statistics for ISD118Education Statistics for ISD118 25% Native American student population.25% Native American student population. 30% of students in special education.30% of students in special education. 16% of students take meds during school .16% of students take meds during school . 60% of students are on free/reduced lunch60% of students are on free/reduced lunch 25 of 234 students 7-12 are taking 32 online 25 of 234 students 7-12 are taking 32 online

courses via Infinity.courses via Infinity. Two students are completely online ed.Two students are completely online ed. District receives $100,000 in sparsity aid District receives $100,000 in sparsity aid

because of declining enrollments.because of declining enrollments.(Northland Community Schools 2008-2009 SAC (Northland Community Schools 2008-2009 SAC

Report)Report)

District E-learning ChallengesDistrict E-learning Challenges1.1. Economic shortfall in school district (estimated Economic shortfall in school district (estimated

$750,000 by end of this school year)$750,000 by end of this school year)

2.2. Depressed area economically (Cass County)Depressed area economically (Cass County)

3.3. Class sizes are shrinking as local population Class sizes are shrinking as local population gets older and produces fewer children.gets older and produces fewer children.

4.4. Many property owners live elsewhere in MNMany property owners live elsewhere in MN

5.5. ½ million dollar operating expenses of a school ½ million dollar operating expenses of a school that serves 61 students (Longville Elementary)that serves 61 students (Longville Elementary)

6.6. Native American population is, in a statistical Native American population is, in a statistical sense, likely to lower NCLB data (attendance)sense, likely to lower NCLB data (attendance)

District E-learning ChallengesDistrict E-learning Challenges

1.1. Highly transient student population (group Highly transient student population (group home in the district) lowers funds available home in the district) lowers funds available at ISD 118 and NCLB test data.at ISD 118 and NCLB test data.

2.2. Loss of CYPRES money (technology grants) Loss of CYPRES money (technology grants) lowers funds available for technology.lowers funds available for technology.

3.3. Staff is totally under prepared to incorporate Staff is totally under prepared to incorporate digital curriculum into their classes.digital curriculum into their classes.

4.4. Political and economic climate of the area Political and economic climate of the area may make transition to web-enhancement of may make transition to web-enhancement of all courses difficult.all courses difficult.

Digital Curriculum StrategiesDigital Curriculum Strategies1.1. Open sources like Moodle could help save funds as we Open sources like Moodle could help save funds as we

remove ourselves from the Infinity program and start remove ourselves from the Infinity program and start placing our own classes online. The move to digital placing our own classes online. The move to digital enhancement should help students with understanding of enhancement should help students with understanding of course content.course content.

2.2. OER funding strategies would work well here to provide OER funding strategies would work well here to provide cutting edge curriculum without burdening taxpayers. cutting edge curriculum without burdening taxpayers. There are many funding models available with OER’s too There are many funding models available with OER’s too including a tech. referendum sold as educationally including a tech. referendum sold as educationally innovative.innovative.

3.3. As class sizes shrink then reduction in force changes are As class sizes shrink then reduction in force changes are sure to follow. Fewer teachers means fewer elective sure to follow. Fewer teachers means fewer elective courses. By creating digital courses students could take courses. By creating digital courses students could take electives that may otherwise not be available as the electives that may otherwise not be available as the teacher, classes available and student pool shrinks.teacher, classes available and student pool shrinks.

Digital Curriculum StrategiesDigital Curriculum Strategies1.1. ISD 118 has great technology resources (in hardware and ISD 118 has great technology resources (in hardware and

software not implementation or use) for a small district. If software not implementation or use) for a small district. If Longville Elementary was closed, its resources could be used at Longville Elementary was closed, its resources could be used at Northland High and Remer Elementary. This may ease financial Northland High and Remer Elementary. This may ease financial tax burden of those who don’t support initiatives in this district.tax burden of those who don’t support initiatives in this district.

2.2. Teacher training for incorporation of digital learning may provide Teacher training for incorporation of digital learning may provide career benefits for teachers being reduced because of economic career benefits for teachers being reduced because of economic and student population concerns. Teachers would also be and student population concerns. Teachers would also be able/may be able to “own” their classes. Being allowed able/may be able to “own” their classes. Being allowed ownership may also result in higher quality courses being created ownership may also result in higher quality courses being created in a competitive atmosphere.in a competitive atmosphere.

3.3. There are many reasons Native American students affect our There are many reasons Native American students affect our attendance scores with NCLB—some cultural, some attendance scores with NCLB—some cultural, some environmental, and some distance. Digital learning may environmental, and some distance. Digital learning may increase attendance by making class materials available 24-7. If increase attendance by making class materials available 24-7. If a student’s progress and time can be tracked digitally it may a student’s progress and time can be tracked digitally it may provide better evidence than in school data.provide better evidence than in school data.

Digital Curriculum StrategiesDigital Curriculum Strategies1.1. Our school district has Little Sand Group Home in it Our school district has Little Sand Group Home in it

and these students often do not begin their school years and these students often do not begin their school years here. This often creates a shortfall in funds. We offer here. This often creates a shortfall in funds. We offer an alternative school and it would be nice if they were an alternative school and it would be nice if they were able to access online learning courses. Having these able to access online learning courses. Having these students take these courses as well as offering out in students take these courses as well as offering out in house courses to other districts would increase house courses to other districts would increase educational funding for ISD 118.educational funding for ISD 118.

2.2. Cypres money was money granted to schools for Cypres money was money granted to schools for software and hardware by Microsoft. That well of cash software and hardware by Microsoft. That well of cash has now expired. My research into open education has now expired. My research into open education resources has revealed sources of free or cheap resources has revealed sources of free or cheap hardware and software that are available for educational hardware and software that are available for educational use.use.

Digital Curriculum StrategiesDigital Curriculum Strategies1.1. Making the change to a four day week and requiring Making the change to a four day week and requiring

digital enhancement of all classes or offering digital digital enhancement of all classes or offering digital electives that we cannot currently offer would address electives that we cannot currently offer would address both the rising cost of transportation and an incorrect idea both the rising cost of transportation and an incorrect idea about rigorous education. Students would have the ability about rigorous education. Students would have the ability to stay home but remain current with their classes. to stay home but remain current with their classes.

2.2. Of the current challenges that have been addressed here by Of the current challenges that have been addressed here by digital strategies the biggest challenge to overcome may digital strategies the biggest challenge to overcome may be selling the idea to staff and preparing staff for the be selling the idea to staff and preparing staff for the change. We have at least 6 teachers who could train the change. We have at least 6 teachers who could train the technical aspects of using Moodle. We have at least three technical aspects of using Moodle. We have at least three teachers who would have Master’s Degrees in curriculum teachers who would have Master’s Degrees in curriculum development, curriculum and technology, reading development, curriculum and technology, reading specialist, or who would have online teaching specialist, or who would have online teaching certification. The training of staff could be done by these certification. The training of staff could be done by these people over the summer and during the school year.people over the summer and during the school year.

ReferencesReferences2008 annual report cass county health, human and vetran’s services. Retireved Sept. 2008 annual report cass county health, human and vetran’s services. Retireved Sept.

23, 2009 from 23, 2009 from http://www.co.cass.mn.us/hhvs/pdfs/HHVS_2008AnnualReport.pdfhttp://www.co.cass.mn.us/hhvs/pdfs/HHVS_2008AnnualReport.pdf.. Cass county, MN detailed profile. Retrieved Sept. 23, 2009 from Cass county, MN detailed profile. Retrieved Sept. 23, 2009 from

http://www.city-data.com/county/Cass_County-MN.htmlhttp://www.city-data.com/county/Cass_County-MN.html..Longville secondary 2009 report card. Retrieved Sept. 23, 2009 from Longville secondary 2009 report card. Retrieved Sept. 23, 2009 from

http://education.state.mn.us/ReportCard/2009/RCF011801010.pdfhttp://education.state.mn.us/ReportCard/2009/RCF011801010.pdf..Northland community schools 2008-2009 annual report on curriculum, instruction, and Northland community schools 2008-2009 annual report on curriculum, instruction, and

student achievement. Retrieved Sept. 23, 2009 from student achievement. Retrieved Sept. 23, 2009 from http://www.isd118.k12.mn.us/sacreport0809.pdfhttp://www.isd118.k12.mn.us/sacreport0809.pdf..

Northland secondary 2009 report card. Retrieved Sept. 23, 2009 from Northland secondary 2009 report card. Retrieved Sept. 23, 2009 from http://education.state.mn.us/ReportCard/2009/RCF011801020.pdfhttp://education.state.mn.us/ReportCard/2009/RCF011801020.pdf..

Operating Referendum Data, (Nov. 2007). Northland Community Schools ISD 118.Operating Referendum Data, (Nov. 2007). Northland Community Schools ISD 118.Remer elementary 2009 report card. Retrieved Sept. 23, 2009 from Remer elementary 2009 report card. Retrieved Sept. 23, 2009 from

http://education.state.mn.us/ReportCard/2009/RCF011801030.pdfhttp://education.state.mn.us/ReportCard/2009/RCF011801030.pdf..Worner, R. (2003) Northland community schools district facility study. Roger Worner Worner, R. (2003) Northland community schools district facility study. Roger Worner

Associates, Inc.Associates, Inc.Zipskinny demographic information for 56672. Retrieved Sept. 23, 2003 from Zipskinny demographic information for 56672. Retrieved Sept. 23, 2003 from

http://zipskinny.com/index.php?zip=56672http://zipskinny.com/index.php?zip=56672..