Chapter 7: When Technology Supports Teachers’ Work: Implementation of Houston’s Teacher Tools Online Initiative

As the Houston Independent School District (HISD) continues its efforts to be a higher performing organization, it faces many challenges. Urban school systems across America are entrusted with the education of children who may come to school ill prepared to learn. The demographic changes in the last half of the 20th century have resulted in the abandonment of the core cities by the middle class and to increasing percentages of poor and minority children in urban schools. The achievement gap is well documented and is acutely evident both within urban schools and between urban districts and suburban districts. New worldwide economic realities mean that there is no longer a place in our economy for unskilled labor, and the same skills that are necessary for successful college study are increasingly required for success in the workplace. The historical function of education systems as sorting machines is no longer acceptable as we take on the challenge to educate all children. Urban school systems must handle the major burden of our society’s economic and social inequalities; only education can level the playing field.