Civitas ReviewThe Blog of the Civitas Institute

2

Aug

17

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Earlier this week Juan Williams joined the parade of journalist and news media who want to know what’s going on in a small school district just north of Charlotte.  In an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal, Williams described how the Mooresville, North Carolina Schools used technology to boost its ranking on state tests from the middle of the pack to a tie for second place.  And by the way, all the improvement came while the district  ranked near the bottom in spending. Mooresville currently  ranks 100^th out of 115 in per-pupil spending .

It’s a story that more and more people are hearing about. Early this year the New York times did a lengthy story on  the schools in Mooresville.  So many people are visiting the school that tours have to be scheduled and arranged through a central office.

What has Mooresville done that is so different?  The district has invested heavily into technology and computers. Each student has a laptop computer. All the instruction, notes and records are digitzed. The computers allow teachers to individualize instruction.  Teachers also have the ability to gain immediate feedback on student performance  and where additional help is needed. The results have been impressive for students and teachers alike and have set many others to thinking how they can replicate the district’s success.

Want to learn more about Mooresville schools?  Watch “Fixing Our School” this  Sunday on the Fox News Channel.