All District 25 fifth-graders to get Chromebooks

Arlington Heights Elementary District 25 will expand its access to technology for students in the coming school year by providing a Chromebook for every fifth-grader.

Currently, all middle-schoolers have the computers, after District 25 launched its 1:1 technology plan in the 2016-17 school year.

While middle-schoolers can take home those devices, fifth-graders will be able to use the computers only in their classrooms, officials say.

Fifth-graders and other elementary school students have had access to a mix of Chromebooks, MacBooks and iPads, with a ratio of two devices for every student.

But after the rollout of the 1:1 initiative for grades 6-8 and additional discussion about curriculum and instruction, district officials decided to expand the program.

The district plans to purchase 620 Chromebooks for fifth-graders, while existing fifth-grade devices will be passed down to other elementary grades, according to Chris Fahnoe, the district's director of technology.

Chromebooks usually last up to four years, iPads five, and standard laptops seven, Fahnoe said. So additional iPads for elementary schools will also be part of the district's upcoming purchase, he said.

The costs will be covered within the current budget, he said.

Fahnoe doesn't anticipate expanding the program further so that every student in grades K-4 would have a device of their own, because of the types of instruction taking place at those grade levels.

"We have a strong curriculum and good teachers," Fahnoe said. "We want technology to enhance that and not become a primary focus. It's still about personalized learning and meeting kids' goals where they're at. It's not about Chromebooks."