21st Century Schools Initiative
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina displaced nearly 400,000 students, destroyed schools, and delayed the academic year in many Mississippi and Louisiana school districts.
But even before the storm, students in these districts were not easily acquiring the skills needed to compete in a global, technology-driven economy. Many districts lacked funding for Internet connectivity in classrooms, and instruction was not adapted to the way young people learn today.
Students were missing opportunities to develop vital critical thinking, problem solving, communication, and collaboration skills. Teachers recognized the problem and wanted to engage students in new ways, but were not sure how to begin or where to get the resources.
With a US$80 million investment, Cisco established the 21st Century Schools Initiative (21S) to:
- Equip schools with Internet connectivity and interactive tools
- Train teachers to integrate those tools into classroom instruction for greater student engagement
- Help school leaders craft a long-term vision to prepare students for a global, technology-driven economy
The 21st Century Schools Initiative helped educators integrate technology into classroom instruction.
Cisco built relationships with nonprofits, academic institutions, and technology companies that provided the equipment and resources to multiply the impact of the 21S initiative. For example:
- Twenty-two Cisco employees relocated to the Gulf region as Leadership Fellows to help school system leaders plan, implement, and evaluate the program.
- The nonprofit Digital Opportunity Trust trained and placed 100 interns in participating schools to help teachers integrate technology into classroom instruction and provide technical support.
- Families in 21S districts were able to purchase affordable home computers thanks to micro-loans from Cisco and assistance from One Economy.
- Corporate partners like IBM, Pearson, and Promethean provided classroom equipment (like interactive whiteboards) and materials that facilitated engaging, student-driven activities.
- Educational institutions like Harvard University, November Learning, Schlechty Center, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum provided professional development and technology training.
A Smithsonian American Art Museum training helped teachers use technology to integrate art into instructional activities.
Through 21S, Cisco introduced technologies that fostered heightened student engagement, ongoing teacher professional development, and greater parental involvement.
The 21S Initiative equipped classrooms with powerful technology tools like interactive whiteboards, video cameras, and video editing software.
Teachers used these tools to incorporate activities like podcasting, blogging, and moviemaking into classroom instruction.
Cisco TelePresence solution, Cisco MeetingPlace solution, and Cisco WebEx solution enabled educators to attend professional development sessions and district meetings remotely, saving time and money.
Through partnerships with other corporations, Cisco equipped classrooms with tools like interactive whiteboards.
Some school districts experienced greater student engagement and enthusiasm, higher standardized test scores, higher graduation rates, lower drop-out rates, and increased parental involvement, according to summative evaluations of the 21st Century Schools Inititive conducted by the Center for Children and Technology at Education Development Center, Inc.
Student Outcomes
- 16% increase in eighth grade scores on state math assessment test in Jefferson Parish, LA
- 50% decline in drop-out rates in Hattiesburg, MS
- 64% decline in student behavior incidents from 2008 to 2009 in Harrison County, MS
Designed to be a model for similar transformative programs, the 21st Century Schools Inititive has since been replicated in California, New York, and Sichuan Province in China.
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