Press Release

May 10, 2004

Puget Sound Center and Microsoft Collaborate to Increase Teacher Technology Skills
BOTHELL, WA - Puget Sound Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology (PSCTLT) announced today that it will be working with Microsoft under that organization's new "U.S. Partners in Learning" initiative. Microsoft's nationwide program will invest $35 million over five years to supplement successful teaching models and curricula. The program will offer schools and administrators a spectrum of education resources that empower students and teachers to use technology to reach their full potential. PSCTLT is currently the only Washington State based organization that has been selected by Microsoft to participate in the program.

“U.S. Partners in Learning is a long-term commitment from Microsoft to work with state governments, local schools, and teachers to help transform how technology is applied in the teaching and learning process,” said Greg Butler, Director, Microsoft K12 Education Strategy and Programs. “Critical to the success of this program, Microsoft is partnering with key members of the education community including Puget Sound Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology to help schools prepare students for success in today’s 21st century environment.”

PSCTLT's teaching model selected under Microsoft's initiative is the Teaching + Technology Coaching Initiative (T2CI), a program that trains teachers in school districts to become technology coaches for their fellow teachers.

Bill McMeekin, PSCTLT’s Executive Director, noted, “This is a tremendous opportunity to work with Microsoft to bring this proven model of professional development to schools across the U.S. and internationally."

Under Microsoft's U.S. Partners in Learning initiative, the T2CI model will be developed and expanded nationwide as the "Peer Coaching Program." The program will be available to K-20 schools across the United States and in other countries. It is built on the idea that teachers most often look to their colleagues first when they need assistance integrating technology into their classrooms. By training teachers as learning "coaches," they are better able to help their peers identify and implement ways that technology can strengthen classroom curricula and improve students' academic achievement.

The T2CI program began at PSCTLT in 2001 with the help of a $1,167,700 "Technology Challenge Grant" from the U.S. Department of Education. T2CI is led by Les Foltos, Director of K-12 programs at PSCTLT. The program initially addressed training needs of teachers from the Edmonds, Mukilteo, Shoreline and Seattle School Districts and has since expanded into a partnership with Washington State's Education Services Districts that serves the needs of districts across Washington. Foltos will be the point person for PSCTLT in working with the Peer Coaching Program.

"I am amazed by the power and the gentle ripple effect of this project—teachers working together, designing lessons together, strategizing how to enhance student learning," said Anne Cavanaugh, Executive Director of Student Learning Support at Longview Public Schools. "It has become self-perpetuating. Veteran staff are re-energized and have made 'subtle shifts' in instructional practices that they have used for 30 years."

Additional information about the Peer Coaching Program is available on PSCTLT's Web site at www.psctlt.org/t2ci and on Microsoft's Web site at www.microsoft.com/presspass.

Puget Sound Center is a private, non-profit information and technology training organization located in the Canyon Park Business Center in Bothell. PSCTLT focuses on professional development for teachers, equity issues in science, technology, engineering and math courses and careers, and future-ready technology training solutions to corporate and educational communities in the Puget Sound area. For additional information about PSCTLT, call 425.368.1020 or visit the Web site at www.psctlt.org.