“Students cannot be adequately prepared for the economic challenges of the 21^st century if schools and learning systems are firmly planted in the 20th century. Today, the information economy is revolutionizing every area of our lives. We must integrate technology into all our nation’s schools. We will ensure that all students are trained to use technology to research, analyze and communicate in any discipline -the 2Ft century economy demands no less.” —Barack Obama

In alignment with Obama’s vision of 21^st century school reform, District 17 is partnering with District 20 to create a consortium of public and non-public schools to propose a program of professional development to improve student academic performance. The Online Professional & Academic Learning (OPAL) project is an innovative proposal to test the very competencies that matter most for the 21^st century. OPAL plans to motivate students who have grown up in a digital world to aspire toward academic excellence through the infusion of project-based learning, the development of e-portfolios to showcase learning, and the acquisition of knowledge in an online learning environment. The OPAL proposal is deeply rooted in the research and practices of the Buck Institute for Education (BIE) and their experience and research on a standards-first curriculum approach to the infusion of technology into teaching and learning. The goals of the OPAL proposal are to improve academic performance in English Language Arts (ELA), math, science, and technology literacy through the integration of technology into teaching and learning, and by expanding professional development and student learning opportunities through online technology.

• OPAL will target a total of 43 schools: 26 public schools and 17 non-public schools.
• In year one, three to four teachers will receive professional development focusing on the infusion of technology-enhanced instruction to support standards-based curriculum, and to promote technology literacy. Each consecutive year, three to four new teachers will be added. Current Title lID participating teachers will continue to receive guidance and support. At the end of the funding period each participating school will have nine to twelve highly qualified teachers in the area of integration, totaling 370 to 490 over three years in all targeted schools.
• The average class size in targeted schools is thirty students. Estimating that each educator provides direct technology-based instruction to one class; at the end of three years the number of students to receive direct instruction from highly qualified teachers in the area of technology integration will range from 11,000 to 14,700 students.

To align teaching and learning with the 21st century vision of the Obama Administration, and to prepare students for higher education and the world of work, OPAL will deliver a blended model of professional development to assure that educators have the knowledge and skills to infuse technology into cross-curricular instruction tHat is authentic and comprehensive. Students and teachers will have ample opportunity to reflect on their learning process, and to acquire new knowledge in an online learning environment.