The Boston Digital Bridge Foundation has been working with Boston Public School Superintendent Thomas Payzant on incorporating technology into the curriculum since its inception in 2000. We are pleased with the well-deserved recognition that the Superintendent has received.

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Press release issued from the American Association of School Administrators

School Superintendents Honored for Integrating Technology into Student Academic Achievement, Staff Professional Development

For Immediate Release

Contact: Barbara Knisely

703-875-0723

bknisely@aasa.org

Arlington, VA -- Eighteen public school superintendents who demonstrated vision and leadership in using technology to advance teaching, learning and achievement will receive the 2004 President's Technology Award, an annual awards program sponsored by the American Association of School Administrators with the support of Apple.

"This award targets those school superintendents who have successfully integrated technology in all aspects of school life," said AASA Executive Director Paul Houston. "It is also a testament to how far technology has evolved in terms of providing real-world, practical applications that improve learning for all students and teaching for all educators."

Submissions for the 2004 award were reviewed by a nationwide panel of school leaders who selected the winners based upon the following criteria:

Instructional impact - How was the use of technology illustrated beyond improved test scores?
Staff development to support technology initiatives - How does professional development support the superintendent's vision for technology?
Innovative use of technology - Does the technology integrate current and emerging applications such as wireless computing, PDAs, and virtual schooling?
Ongoing evaluation mechanisms - What efforts are under way or planned to assure continuous improvement and promote replicability?
Leadership promoting long-term sustainability - Did the superintendent demonstrate ways to provide the necessary professional development, administrative leadership and community support?
Technology leadership beyond the district - Did the superintendent share a replicable initiative with other education leaders?
Community recognition and/or communication - Did the superintendent successfully communicate the value of the technology with community stakeholders?

The 2004 President's Technology Award winners are:

Dr. Phyllis Amick, Richmond Community Schools, Richmond, Ind.
Mr. Bryan Blavatt, Boone County School District, Florence, Ky.
Dr. David Damerall, Kirkwood School District R-7, Kirkwood, Mo.
Dr. Allen Davis, retired superintendent, Hampton City Schools, Hampton, Va.
Dr. Michael Fitzpatrick, Blackstone Valley Vocational Regional School District, Upton, Mass.
Dr. George Goldstein, Sewanhaka Central High School District, Floral Park, N.Y.
Mrs. Shanda Hahn, Borrego Springs Unified School District, Borrego Springs, Calif.
Dr. R. Gerard Longo, Quaker Valley School District, Sewickley, Pa.
Dr. Fred Mock, Davidson County Schools, Lexington, N.C.
Dr. Thomas Payzant, Boston Public Schools, Boston, Mass.
Dr. Neil Pedersen, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Dr. Larry Price, Wilson County Schools, Wilson, N.C.
Dr. David Quattrone, Indian Hill Exempted Village School Dist., Cincinnati, Ohio
Dr. Jim Ray, Spartanburg School District Three, Glendale, S.C.
Dr. Jack Singley, Irving Independent School District, Irving, Texas
Dr. Richard Strauss, Lower Cape May Regional School District, Cape May, N.J.
Dr. Barnett Sturm, Lakeland Central School District, Shrub Oak, N.Y.
Dr. Edward Vargas, Hacienda La Puente Unified School District, City of Industry, Calif.

The President's Technology Award will be presented to the winning superintendents on Feb. 19, 2004, at the AASA National Conference on Education in San Francisco.

AASA, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 14,000 educational leaders across America and in many other countries. AASA's mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to the highest quality public education for all children.