“Any of our schools can use this service,” Jefferson-Lewis Board of Cooperative Educational Services Superintendent Jack J. Boak said. “Our students can use this to receive 15 or more credits in high school.”
The Jefferson-Lewis BOCES will receive video teleconferencing units for 37 schools. The St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES received $500,000 to be used to replace video teleconferencing equipment at 14 sites and install new equipment at four new sites. Oswego BOCES will receive $302,678 to be used to purchase distance-learning equipment for the Altmar-Parish-Williamstown, Central Square, Hannibal, Phoenix and Sandy Creek central school districts.
The equipment makes it possible to connect with LeMoyne College in Syracuse, Clarkson University in Potsdam, Jefferson Community College in Watertown and Syracuse University School of Medicine, all of which will be part of the teleconferencing network.
The technology upgrades have been provided through the USDA’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loan and Grant program. The announcement was made at a news conference at the Jefferson-Lewis BOCES office in Watertown last week.
Stanley L. Telega, state director of the USDA, said grant recipients must demonstrate that they serve rural America, prove there is an economic need and provide at least 15 percent in matching funds.
Mr. Telega said the USDA doesn’t pay for staff to maintain and operate the machines.
The new distance-learning system will consolidate low-demand courses, offer advanced courses and enrichment programs, support individualized learning and special needs and provide teacher training, continuing education and adult learning.
Mr. Boak said the grant money will serve an important role in improving distance learning for students to take college courses from different schools as well as offer an easier and more cost-effective way for students to access psychological services via the telemedicine network.
Through this network, a child could speak with an on-call psychologist any time of day. This also will make it easier for schools to afford these services, since they won’t be paying an individual professional but sharing services.
Mr. Boak said the next big step is working out the agreement with the hospitals.
Michele A. Traynor, Jefferson-Lewis BOCES assistant superintendent for business, said the funding is valuable to help schools maintain their services.
She said the USDA funding will help meet the needs of schools to provide higher education opportunities.
Oswego BOCES Superintendent Christopher J. Todd said the grant money will allow his rural school districts to stay connected. He said it also will help students who are homebound stay connected to their classroom.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Katherine Clark
Quelle/Source: Watertown Daily Times, 26.03.2014
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