EAA partners with Focus: HOPE to provide the best IT solutions for its schools
The Education Achievement Authority of Michigan (EAA) recently announced it has partnered with Focus: HOPE to establish a technology team to service EAA school computers and server equipment. The partnership will help to ensure students and staff at the 15 EAA schools receive quick and effective solutions to IT issues.
“Technology is critical to the EAA’s new Student Centered Learning Model,” said EAA Chancellor Dr. John Wm. Covington. “Our partnership with Focus: HOPE ensures the EAA’s ability to maintain school equipment by providing the fastest response time in the most cost effective manner.”
In the EAA schools, each student has computer access. The new Student Centered Learning Model combined with individual attention and programs, means every EAA classroom will move from the traditional group-oriented teaching format to a personalized one where students learn and advance at their own pace.
EAA Chief Technology Officer Adel Haddad said the EAA has hired 27 certified technicians that are graduates of the Focus: HOPE Information Technologies Center (ITC) to support this new learning model. The graduates have a range of certifications from Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) and A+ to Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) to Cisco Certified Entry-level Technician (CCENT).
The new EAA IT team is a diverse group with the majority of team members residing in Detroit. Team members range in age from 18-57 years. Longtime Focus: HOPE instructor Hermine Turner has been hired as the team’s supervisor. In addition to extensive training and certification, some team members bring business support experience to this assignment.
“We are pleased to partner with the Education Achievement Authority to support the technology needs of students and teachers,” said William F. Jones, Jr., CEO of Focus: HOPE. “Our graduates bring exceptional technical skills as well as customer service and communication skills to these jobs. But more importantly, they are excited to support learning opportunities for the EAA students. All of us recognize the importance of a good education in helping people achieve success in their lives.”
The Focus: HOPE team has been working since August 23. Each EAA school will have a computer technician on site to support computers for the students and teachers.
Sharon Jenkins, a graduate of Focus: HOPE’s PC Technology program, was anxious for school to start, working with students at Pershing High School. “I’m looking forward to making a difference,” she said.
The goal of the partnership is to provide top notch IT solutions for each EAA school, in addition to providing employment opportunities for Focus: HOPE’s ITC graduates, said Haddad.
“We will continue to provide the very best tools for our students,” said Covington. “Focus: HOPE has a well-established track record of excellent career training and we believe their certified IT technicians will serve as a good fit for the day-to-day Student Centered Learning Model. In addition, we’re excited to strengthen the economy by providing career opportunities to talented men and women.”
The Education Achievement Authority of Michigan is a new statewide system of schools that will operate the lowest performing 5 percent of schools in Michigan not achieving satisfactory results on a redesign plan or that are under an emergency manager. It is designed to provide a new, stable, financially responsible set of public schools that create the conditions, supports, tools and resources under which teachers can help students make significant academic gains. It began operating its initial schools in the 2012-2013 school year.
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