Polk County Public Schools
The Polk Public Schools will not be providing the technology incentive to parents completing a survey as previously announced. This technology incentive was for parents of students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs).
Click here to view the survey Web site.
The original intent of providing iPODS to parents was to seek parental input through a survey and to allow the technology to help parents. Educational information to help parents assist their children was to be placed on the iPODS that the participatory parents received. It has been erroneously reported that funding for the iPODs was through federal stimulus funding. In actuality, the funding was to come through funds associated with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
These particular IDEA funds cannot be used for salaries or positions but rather toward classroom instruction, curriculum materials and initiatives.
The Florida Department of Education instructed district staff yesterday that the funds are to directly flow to students and not indirectly through parents. The funds previously flagged to purchase the iPODS will now be used to support classroom instruction and curriculum.
"We are working hard to capture parental input of our students with disabilities and we thought this initiative would not only provide such input but also get some additional instruction through technology into the homes of these students," said Nancy Woolcock, Assistant Superintendent of Learning Support. "I fully respect the decision of the Florida Department of Education and we will seek other alternatives to fulfill this goal."
The survey, at www.esesurvey.com , is operational and Woolcock encourages parents with students of disabilities to complete it. The deadline to complete the survey is July 1, 2010.
"Yes, this project has been deterred and I regret any inconvenience to parents that this may have caused,” Woolcock said. “However, this change of direction will not deter our passion to effectively educate this group of students and to urge parents to get actively involved with their child's education. It's a partnership between home and the school. We want all students to succeed."
Contact Woolcock at (863) 534-0930 for further information.
