Governor Sandoval signs SB 467: CTL 's Documented 1:1 Success Leads the Way for the Legislature to put the Nevada Ready 21 Program into State Law

    CARSON CITY, NV, September 12, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- After an independent evaluation showed that NV's one-to-one (1:1) partnership with educational technology device company, CTL, delivered transformative results, Governor Sandoval signed SB 467, which formally put the Nevada Ready 21 program into state law. In signing SB 467, Governor Sandoval noted "We have started the work of building a K-12 system that will carry Nevada's students into the future. I was proud to sponsor the Nevada Ready 21 program so that they can have the newest technology to help them be prepared for 21st century jobs. We must remain committed to our students so they can develop the skills and proficiency they need to fully participate in the New Nevada economy."

NR21 is a state-funded 1:1 student learning program that focuses on transforming education in Nevada to a student-centered, technology-rich, 21st century experience. Further, the Nevada Ready 21 program (NR21) addresses the year's top #edtech trends including the shift to more affordable Chromebooks, blended learning opportunities, classroom management tools, and wireless solutions for all students.

In 2015, Governor Sandoval put $20 million into his budget to create a statewide 1:1 program in Nevada. The Nevada Ready 21 digital learning program was launched, and in 2016, CTL was awarded the contract to provide their Chromebook solution for the state's 1:1 program. The Nevada Ready 21 program was launched to "help students develop the 21st century skills they will need as citizens, in the workplace and in college," said Superintendent of Public Instruction Steve Canavero.

CTL's partnership with NR21 provides Nevada's students with more than 24-hour access to computers. Students are more engaged thanks to a range of applications that support learning including NCLab (a platform for coding and 3D modeling developed in Reno), Pocket Lab (putting scientific experiments into students' hands), and web filtering software (for safe browsing). CTL worked with the Nevada Department of Education to ensure that each NR21 school had IT support and a tech coach to support teachers' transition to a technology-rich learning environment that teaches students such 21st century skills as critical thinking, collaboration, and communication.

Highlights from the NR21 Implementation Report show that 21st century learning is taking place in Nevada. "Over 19,000 5th-8th graders across the state have a Chromebook that is theirs to use in school and at home during the academic year. Students are becoming self-directed learners, utilizing the tools and resources at hand to solve real problems. Across the state, 69 percent of students reported that they are asked to collaborate online with their classmates at least monthly; 59 percent are asked to solve authentic problems using technology at least monthly."

It may be easiest to see the transformative power of this comprehensive 1:1 program by the way it engages students with special needs. The report notes "Teachers are using web-based resources to modify and adapt lessons for IEP and ELL students. In a 1:1 classroom, this means that all students are engaged in the content."

The success of NR21's pilot year led the legislature to consider and pass SB 467 to enshrine the program into state law. The legislature funded the program for the 2017-2019 biennium. Legislators committed to completing funding for Cohort One that launched at the beginning of the 2016-17. Continuity in funding is essential for getting accurate data on the effectiveness of the program.

Since CTL was awarded the Nevada Ready 21 program contract, over 19,000 5th - 8th graders have received a Chromebook to use in school and at home during the school year. NR21 schools utilizing the networking option have Wi-Fi access covering every instructional space on campus. A full report on program implementation shows remarkable progress.

About CTL

Founded in 1989, CTL designs and manufactures computer products including Chromebooks, desktop and mobile workstations, LED Monitors, and high performance servers, with a strong focus towards the education, local and federal government sectors. CTL also manufactures specialty devices including ruggedized tablets, slates, and digital sign solutions. Headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon with offices in Asia and Europe, CTL and their partners supply North American consumers, government agencies, and many of the most recognized corporate brands. CTL is recognized by CRN as one of the top 500 solution providers in the US and By the Portland Business Journal as one of Oregon's fastest growing Companies. For additional information on CTL, visit them at ctl.net

About Nevada Ready 21

The Nevada Ready 21 (NR21) program is a statewide initiative that provides students with an equitable, technology-rich education the support high standards, an engaging learning environment, and the development of 21st century skills. Learn more about the Nevada Ready 21 program here.

About Clift & Co + Cafferata & Co

These two firms have teamed up to provide government relations, policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and professional association management.

Clift & Co is a full-service government affairs and public relations firm specializing in emerging technologies such as blockchain, the sharing economy, autonomous machinery, educational technology, IoT, and cyber security. Based in Reno, Nevada, the firm aims to better serve the futurists committed to educating and evolving. For more, visit http://cliftand.co

Cafferata & Co. specializes in government relations with a focus on policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and professional association management. The firm has decades of experience in government relations in Nevada representing health care, progressive organizations and the nonprofit sector. We believe in inventing the future with government relations.

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