Alexandria City Public Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions About the T.C. Williams' 1:1 Learning Environment


What kind of laptop computers are issued to ACPS high school students?

All students at T.C. Williams King St. campus are issued an HP 2510p notebook computer. The students at the Minnie Howard campus are issued a Dell Latitude D4300 notebook computer.

What can my child do with his/her laptop at home in the evenings and on weekends?

Student laptops are used for much more than Internet and network access. The software loaded on the laptops includes, but is not limited to, the entire Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, Adobe CS3, Publisher), Inspiration, Audacity, Finale Notepad, Geometer's Sketchpad, Photostory 3, 22 SOL Practice Tests covering the following subjects: writing, math, earth science, algebra I and II, chemistry, geometry, biology, and reading. In addition, several courses, like world language, biology and algebra, have textbook cds that are loaded on the laptops. Therefore, laptops are differentiated depending on the students' programs of study, as well as their learning needs.

Can my child access my wireless network at home or other locations with Wi-Fi?

Yes. Students can gain access to any wireless network by using the connection software, "Wireless Wizard", installed on each machine. With this software, a student can access the Internet at any Wi-Fi accessible site, including Starbucks, Panera, public libraries and other popular free Wi-Fi locations. In addition, to meet federal requirements, ACPS implemented safeguards that filter traffic through the school's firewall while the students are outside of school. This allows ACPS to provide safe and secure access both on and off campus.

If a student does not have Wi-Fi at home, where can he/she go to access the Internet?

ACPS installed wireless access points around the city. Currently students can access the Internet without any additional wireless configuration at these sites:

  • Durant Center - 1605 Cameron St.
  • Mount Vernon Recreation Center - 2017 Belle View Blvd.
  • Ramsay Recreation Center - 5650 Sanger Ave.
  • Charles Barrett Recreation Center - 1115 Martha Custis Dr.
  • Patrick Henry Recreation Center - 4643 Taney Ave.
  • Community Lodgings - 607 Notabene Dr, #1
  • Cora Kelly Recreation Center - 3600 Commonwealth Ave.
  • Future sites include Charles Houston Recreation Center and Tenants and Workers United

Can my child use our home computer instead?

Some ACPS students are fortunate to have access to a variety of computers outside of school. However, for many other students, the ACPS issued laptops are the only computer resource available. The HP 2510p and the Dell 4300 are state-of-the art notebook computers. Each laptop is loaded with a substantial amount of instructional software which enables every student to complete school assignments at home. Students with access to additional computer resources are free to use those resources to conduct Internet research or to complete school assignments.

Can the students print using their laptops?

Yes. While logged on to the ACPS network at T.C. Williams or Minnie Howard, at school or home, students can print to the help desk. As part of the T.C. Williams "Go Green" initiative, student printing has been configured as a "pull" printing system. Students print their documents and retrieve them at a central printing station on each campus. This process has significantly reduced the amount of wasted paper. Each student is provided an allotment of 125 pages a semester. However, all student requests for additional printing services are granted.

What happens when a student loses his/her laptop?

A student must report his/her lost laptop to a school administrator who then assists with completing a police report. The school administrator notifies the Technology Services office at ACPS. The office can then track the laptop to see when and where it last tried to log on to the ACPS network or the Internet anywhere in the world. Many laptops reported stolen have been located and returned.

How many laptops were lost last year?

Less than 1% of laptops are lost on an annual basis, and many of these are eventually recovered. ACPS is insured for lost or stolen computers reported in a timely manner.

What happens when the laptop isn't working?

Students can bring their laptops to the help desk before school, after school or during lunch. The turn around time for laptop repairs is between 24 and 48 hours.

Why is it so important for students to have laptop computers available to them?

In January 2005, the U.S. Department of Education released the National Education Technology Plan entitled, Toward a New Golden Age in American Education: How the Internet, the Law and Today's Students are Revolutionizing Expectations. The authors of this report reached the following conclusions:

  • There is no dispute over the need for America's students to have the knowledge and competence to compete in an increasingly technology-driven world economy.
  • This need demands new models of education facilitated by educational technology.
  • In the realm of technology, the educational community is playing catch-up. Industry is far ahead of education. And tech-savvy high school students often are far ahead of their teachers.
  • This "digital disconnect" is a major cause of frustration among today's students.
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  • Public schools that do not adapt to the technology needs of students risk becoming increasingly irrelevant. Students will seek other options.

The Virginia Department of Education requires high schools to provide online testing capability to students taking high school end-of-course SOL tests. This requirement necessitated either the installation of additional computer labs at T.C. Williams and Minnie Howard or the purchase of laptop computers for student use. ACPS chose the laptop option because it met the online testing requirement and provided the added value of daily technology access to all students.

Why are some teachers using the laptops for classroom instruction more than others? Shouldn't ALL teachers use them in instruction?

ACPS teachers and administrators are like any other segment of the population with respect to proficiency in technology. Some are "early adopters" who were "born ready" to teach with technology. Others need additional time to learn the mechanics and envision the possibilities that laptop computers afford themselves and their students. As a result, some teachers integrate technology seamlessly, using video streaming, virtual manipulatives, simulations and Internet resources as part of their daily instruction. Other teachers are at the beginning stages of learning how technology can enhance their instruction.

A differentiated program of staff development is provided to respond to the various levels of technology proficiency among staff, and to move all teachers toward the goal of appropriately integrating technology into all instruction. Four technology integration specialists provide large and small group training as well as individualized instructional support to all high school teachers. Teachers attend mandatory and voluntary workshops throughout the year that are offered during planning periods, after school hours, staff development days and summer break.

The State of Virginia requires that all personnel licensed through the Virginia Department of Education demonstrate proficiency in the Technology Standards for Instructional Personnel as a condition of initial licensure or renewal. At the local level, all ACPS high school teachers are required to identify at least one technology integration goal as part of their annual performance evaluation process.

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