This past year SAD # 46 was awarded an NCLBA Title II Ed Tech Competitive to use the Adobe PageMaker software package and a wide-format printer in 7^th and 8^th grades to create posters for use in classroom projects, and for in school and parent/community communication. PageMaker was also used to design yearbook pages. The grant utilized existing computers in the school along with laptops from the MLTI program.

Students and teachers learned a production-quality software package, Adobe PageMaker, which challenged students by pushing them beyond the skills learned in technology class, and  opened up new avenues in creativity and communication as students in all disciplines created content for class projects and for in-house parent and student communication.  Also, the yearbook staff applied those skills in the creation of the school yearbook.

The activities raised the bar in the content that was created and used by teachers and students with the currently available technology.  The goals of NCLB are for greater student academic achievement, which comes as the result of engagement by the student in the learning process.  The activities, by creating visually appealing content, generated positive feedback to the students, which motivated them to create progressively complex projects as time went on. 

 Parents viewed the results of the proposal through content in the classroom, school, and yearbook, and were informed of the role of technology via newsletter and web site.