So you have been thinking, “This Bootleg Technology idea sounds intriguing, but why should I go through all the hassle when I have so many other things on my plate this year, such as accountability, budget, and staff reductions?” Why? Because bootleg technology addresses all three of those issues and more. As it relates to accountability, bootleg technology puts a powerful and accessible instructional resource into the hands of almost every student. Raising the rigor of instruction to the levels of analysis, synthesis and evaluation is all about student product. The product is better when the quality of the raw materials is better. In regards to budget, what’s cheaper? Buying another cart full of laptops or letting your students reach into their backpacks and pull out their phones, I-pods and I-pads (which are already there)? And if you had to hazard a guess, which technology device do you think the students will take better care of, yours or theirs? In regards to staff reductions, consider this. When you had a computer lab teacher, every student didn’t use the lab, every period. Now that you don’t, how often do you think the lab will be used? But with bootleg technology, every student, in every class has the opportunity to embed technology use in the assigned instructional activity. My question is in today’s educational environment, how are you not already all over this? A number of you in the LYS Nation are now using bootleg technology devices to follow Twitter. If you haven’t done so yet, we want you to join us. To let you see what you are missing, here are the Top 10 LYS Tweets from the week of July 17, 2011, as tabulated by the accountants at Price Waterhouse. 1. Congratulations to LYS Principal, Dr. Michael Seabolt. He will be the new Superintendent for Louise ISD! Who will be next? 2. Let’s quit calling the anti-public school faction, “Reformers.” Let’s call them, “Dismantlers.” It is more honest and better frames the debate. 3. Joe Strauss, Texas Speaker of the House, represents property rich Alamo Heights ISD. They don’t have to make cuts… that explains a lot. (By Cheadhorn) 4. Second day of Manor ISD elementary teachers (60+ volunteers) outlining curriculum scope and creating assessment items! What are you doing to prepare? 5. Tonight’s Run Thought: Change is an exponential function of getting X number of personal agendas moving in the same purposeful direction. 6. When it comes to Principals selecting staff, I follow the Bill Parcels’ rule: If you are accountable for the cooking, you get to buy the groceries. 7. How can a teacher performance bonus plan not impact student scores? What were they paying the bonuses for? Political posturing? 8. Just received notice that LYS will present at the Texas School Improvement Conference on Oct 26 & 27. Topic: The Foundation for Improvement 9. Just received notice of a second LYS Presentation at the Texas School Improvement Conference on Oct 26 & 27. Topic: PowerWalks 10. Just received notice that LYS will do a third presentation at the Texas School Improvement Conference on Oct. 26 & 27. Topic: The Fundamental 5 Think. Work. Achieve. Your turn… Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com! http://tinyurl.com/4ydqd4tFollow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation