In hopes of garnering state Straight A grant funds for this region, 12 area school districts have joined forces to submit a proposal for an innovative project that would put laptop computers and other devices into students’ hands and establish a way for teachers in all the schools to share ideas and experiences.

The new Straight A Fund is part of Ohio’s $62 billion, two-year state operating budget. The $250 million grant program aims to reward creative ideas that boost student achievement, reduce spending or put an impressive share of resources into classrooms.

Schools participating in the grant include Apollo Career Center, Lima City, Wapakoneta, Columbus Grove, Elida, Perry, Ada, Bluffton, Bath, Spencerville, Hardin Northern and Shawnee.

“Straight A grant funds are to be used to create innovative partnerships and shared services models that are sustainable and replicable, as established by the Ohio Department of Education, the office of the Governor and our General Assembly,” Apollo Superintendent Judy Wells said. “ I can think of no better investment for our four-county area than improving the expertise of our greatest resource – our teachers – and providing them technology tools and infrastructure to support it, nurture it, and move us forward into the future.”

This project will give participating students and teachers access to computing devices to implement for instruction, learning and professional development. The devices and positives of the program would last and continue long after grant funds are spent.

Each school district would determine what kinds of devices to purchase and who would get them. The project supports the ideas of blended learning and flipped classrooms, meaning that teachers can send lectures home with students, leaving classroom time for doing real work.

In Lima City Schools, laptop computers would be purchased for students and teachers at the South Science Technology Magnet School. Apollo Career Center’s plans include a 1:1 iPad program for all students and staff that would be utilized in academics as well as career technical programs. 

The grant would also help create an online professional development database for teachers in all the districts to share ideas on how they are using the new technology. The site would be created by teachers, for teachers.

If awarded, this grant proposal will save school districts money while preparing students for career and college readiness to strengthen the economy and empower communities.

“This grant gave the Lima City Schools and the surrounding districts a great opportunity to partner and collaborate together,” Superintendent Jill Ackerman said. “Getting technology into the hands of students is always a positive. And giving teachers a database to share information and learn from each other is something we look forward to. It will make for better teachers and help all of the districts continue to educate students at the highest level.”

Grants had to be submitted last Friday. Grant recipients should be notified in January.