Plum School District recognized by Google for its strides in educational technology
Plum School District was recently recognized for its use of technology to benefit its students’ education.
It was named a Google for Education Reference District, which is a distinction held by schools that demonstrate excellence and leadership through use of Google products, such as G Suite for Education and Chromebooks, to drive learning .
Plum is the 14th Reference District in the state, and one of 141 school systems across the country to be named.
“It shows our movement to provide our students with a future-ready learning environment that will prepare them for life after public education,” said Daniel Lauletta, Plum’s educational technology and innovation director. “We now have the resources to provide more opportunities for teaching and learning in and out of the classroom.”
Lauletta said among the district accomplishments that led to the recognition:
• Its three-year strategic technology plan to support future initiatives.
• Every student K-12 having a Chromebook.
• Standardized utilization of Google Classroom and the G Suite for Education platform districtwide.
• Staff going through professional development by Google certified trainers.
• More than 85% of teachers being level 1 Google certified educators.
“Over the past two years, our district has grown to be one that leads in the use of technology and to have Google recognize that is a great honor,” Lauletta said. “Especially when we rely on technology to learn almost 100% of the time currently.
”If we were in this situation two years ago, without the resources we have now, teaching and learning for our teachers and students would look very different, and they wouldn’t have the same opportunities that they have now.”
School board President Mike Devine said the Google recognition was well-deserved.
“When it comes to our technology department, Plum is second to none,” Devine said. “This is an amazing achievement, but if I said I was shocked, I’d be lying. This team sets the bar high, and continues to surpass our expectations.”
More information on how Plum was selected for the honor, including students using district technology, is available here.
Michael DiVittorio is a TribLive reporter covering general news in Western Pennsylvania, with a penchant for festivals and food. He can be reached at mdivittorio@triblive.com.
Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.