Two exciting initiatives for handhelds assessments are being considered. The first is the use of the mClass:RtI (Response to Intervention). The second is an assessment of mathematics using Palms, similar to what's been done on the Reading side with TPRI/Tejas Lee, etc. Both are research supported.

Mathematics Handheld Assessment: The Mathematics Department—which is part of a handheld assessment consortium organized by Wireless Generation—met with Wireless Generation representatives and Instructional Technology Services. At that meeting, Mathematics was informed that it had $37,500 in software license credits for specific use with the assessment. Since the credits have grown from Mathematics initial investment of $25,000, Mathematics Department is considering launching a Spring pilot at elementary campuses that uses the handheld assessment developed by the Consortium and to Joseph Montano's specifications.

Technology Involved: The primary technology to be used includes existing Palm Handhelds.

Reading/ELA Assessment Analysis Tool: Reading/ELA called a meeting involving Wireless Generation, Special Education Representative, Bilingual/ESL representatives, and Instructional Technology Services (with Operations and Systems Integration as well). The meeting addressed the introduction of a proposed Spring, 2007 pilot program—based on new Wireless Generation software observed at a Conference-- known as mClass: RtI (Response to Intervention). mClass:RtI provides critical web-based, information reports on students' reading progress in a more timely manner using already available district assessment data (e.g. DIBELS). Target implementation is grades K-3. The proposed solution solve the problem of there not being enough data between benchmark assessments. Progress monitoring through online, easily accessible reports using data provided by teachers with their digital pens and logs would address this.

Should either Department want to proceed with these initiatives, they will have some technology obstacles to overcome. The main obstacle is the obsolescence of Palms available in the District. We originally began with 1200 Palm m515 (now obsolete) and have been slowly replaced as they fail by Palm Zire 72 and Palm TX handheld computers. Another potential obstacle is the use of digital pens (for the mClass:RtI only), their cost, and implementation on District computers.

These obstacles aside, the focus is on accessing data in a timely way that transform teacher practice and impacts student learning.