JCPS Partners With Software Company to Encourage Classroom Websites

Jefferson County Public Schools has partnered with eChalk software to encourage schools and teachers to have a better web presence as teachers have recently shown an interest in a more user friendly platform.JCPS schools and teachers have access to a web platform provided by the district, but it looks outdated. Now, click over to Wheatley Elementary School's website and it looks new and information is easy to access.Wheatley is one of three JCPS schools that was part of the eChalk pilot in 2010, said Jana Hickey, JCPS eLearning specialist. Now all schools and teachers will have access to the platform, she said.“So they have any type of media on that page that they would have as well as having a teacher blog as well as having student blogs that parents can come into and see," said Hickey.Having a better web presence will attract more community participation, she said.“Our intention is to try to push for teachers to be more responsive to their community and parents, teachers and community to be able to be more actively involved, breaking down the walls that exist right now between school and home," Hickey said.The program will cost schools around $2 per student, but Hickey said hopes the program will eventually go district-wide.