“We felt a touch-type of device, like an iPad, would best suit our young learners kindergarten and first grade,” says Barca. “In addition to the device purchase and maintenance, we must have the infrastructure in place to support the activities that are taking place in the classroom,” says Barca.Īs Edison designed their strategy, the District divided their technology approach into three categories.

From K-12 in our district, every child has a device and we need to maximize that dollar to ensure we’re always evaluating technology and selecting the best, most affordable options.” Outfitting every child with a device he or she uses inside and outside the classroom is a large financial undertaking, not only to purchase the needed devices, but maintaining them as well.

“For larger districts, spreading the budget to maintain all buildings and meet the needs of each child can be difficult. “Edison tries to maximize a limited funding source,” shares Ralph Barca, Chief Information and Technology Officer, Edison Township Public Schools Education Center. Like many educational communities, Edison is faced with addressing the challenges related to rapidly-evolving technology and finding the budget to meet the advanced technology needs of today’s children. With nineteen schools and over 15,000 students in the district, Edison is one of the larger school districts in New Jersey.

Edison Township Public Schools is a comprehensive community public school district serving students in kindergarten through twelfth grade.

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