Seattle School District Proposition No. 2

Technology Levy

Arguments For

Supporters see the Seattle School District's proposed $75 million technology levy as a logical second phase in the technology program begun five years ago when voters approved the first technology levy of $21.7 million, which successfully placed thousands of computers and other types of technology in Seattle schools. Proponents cite six main arguments in support of making an additional investment in technology infrastructure.

Improved student learning. Educators believe that computers will soon become as important as pencils and paper as instructional tools in the classroom. While the first phase of the District's technology plan helped close the hardware gap between Seattle schools and those in other districts, it fell short of what experts believe is needed to provide effective classroom instruction.

The computer-to-student ratio in Seattle schools today is one for each eight students, but the computers are located predominately in computer labs. The proposed technology levy would provide the infrastructure necessary to integrate computers into every classroom, so that all students could become continual, active learners. It would enable connections among classrooms, between districts, and with the World Wide Web. It would also bring the computer-to-student ratio closer to one to five.

Educators say experience has already shown that students with access to computers write better. Ease of access to such sources as the Internet helps stimulate the thirst for knowledge, teaches students to think and research, and improves overall academic performance.

Job training. Supporters also consider the levy essential to providing Seattle's school children with knowledge and experience they will need in the not-far-off future, when technology skills will be required of nearly everyone in the workplace. With only 30 percent of Seattle schoolchildren now going on to college, it is imperative that we give students the job training they require. This is especially true in the Pacific Northwest, which demands technical competence of its employees.

Equity. While this need for computer skills is important for all children who seek to be educated for the 21st Century, supporters of the technology levy believe it is especially critical for Seattle schoolchildren. Many students today are fortunate enough to receive computer training and experience at home. However, an alarming 70 per cent of Seattle school children do not have access to home computers. Thus, the District argues that we must even the odds for our large disadvantaged student population and that we must make the investment in technology immediately.

Future savings. Another argument in support of the levy is that the Seattle levy is designed to produce long-term savings in administrative costs through modernization of the District's communications systems.

Planning. The District says it has proven it can manage the investment of technology funds well. Despite some admitted early problems, supporters claim that Phase I has been a real success story, and that they have carefully evaluated the real costs of Phase II. They defend against criticisms of lack of management and accountability (mostly surrounding the $330 million capital levy) by arguing that Superintendent John Stanford inherited these problems, and should be given the support he needs in order to fulfill his primary goal of improving student achievement.

Lack of options for funding. A final argument is that the District has no other sources of funding for technological improvements. The levy lid has been lowered from 32 to 28 percent, which means that the District will have fewer operating funds. In addition, the District faces high levels of deferred maintenance, totaling about $200 million. While the District will continue to rely on donations of hardware and software from the community, there are no other sources of funds for building the District's technological infrastructure.

Arguments Against

Analysis

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