NORTH CLACKAMAS SCHOOL DISTRICT
North Clackamas School District focus on technology and innovation with virtual learning both now and for future generations
The speed at which the global pandemic hit sent shockwaves through the world and critically impacted the educational system . North Clackamas School District ( NCSD ) in the US-state of Oregon was not only quick to respond but is now working towards a sustainable future for its 17,000 students . This is to ensure all students have access to a digital curriculum and online instructional resources through districtowned devices and one hotspot for students / families in need that are enrolled in the Virtual Online Program .
During the 2020-21 school year , one of the ways the technology department supported students and families in Comprehensive Distance Learning ( CDL ) was by providing one hotspot per household to any student / family that needed internet access .
In his new role as Executive Officer of Technology at NCSD Derrick Brown is more aware than most that COVID-19 created the largest disruption of the educational system in human history , affecting nearly 1.6 billion learners in more than 200 countriesimpacting 94 % of the world ’ s student population . Brown , arrived mid-pandemic to lead the technology department at NCSD in the suburb outside of Portland on the west coast . His team has partnered with
Insight Financial Services to invest US $ 4m in Chromebooks over the next four years . This will create a predictable IT equipment budget , maintain a scalable environment , develop equity for all students , and improve help desk and technical support for students K-12 who attend the 31 elementary , middle , high , and charter schools which make up NCSD .
“ By the end of the 2021-2022 school year , the district will have replaced all outdated existing student devices with touchscreen Chromebooks . This includes a sustainability plan for all K-12 Chromebooks and I ' m very excited to be part of this ,” said Brown who believes all community members should have access to the internet in their home and it should be considered part of Maslow ’ s Hierarchy of human needs along with food and shelter .
Father-of-three Brown moved from the technology arena to K-12 education in 2006 and uses a strategy and concise way of communicating the organisation ' s strategic mission that aligns the vision of technology for teachers , students and parent-guardians at NCSD .
NCSD is Oregon ' s seventh-largest school district that spans more than 40 square miles just south-east of Portland . The school district serves Milwaukie and Happy Valley , along with other parts of
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