NNDS Appoints Barker to head Pennsylvania Digital Learning Network

Respected Erie, Pa., educator brings proven record of collaboration and innovation for student achievement

MIDLAND, Pa., July 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Network of Digital Schools today announced the appointment of Dr. James E. Barker as Executive Director of the new Pennsylvania Digital Learning Network.

The Network seeks to provide school districts across the commonwealth the means to bring them into the digital era with high-quality, online/digitally-delivered educational programs and services.

"Dr. Barker is uniquely qualified to lead the effort to accelerate digital education in traditional public schools," said Steve Catanzarite, Director of Partnerships and Special Projects at NNDS and administrator of the federal grant supporting the project.

"As a superintendent for 17 years Dr. Barker established a record of bringing together community and business leaders with parents and educators to harness opportunities for students in the Erie School District. He is well equipped to cultivate relationships between cyber school leaders and traditional school administrators." 

Barker said leading the Pennsylvania Digital Learning Network is a natural progression, based on the path he has forged in his decades-long career in education and boosting student opportunities.

"One of the most significant developments in K-12 schooling in the last decade has been the emergence of online schools. While these cyber schools may vary greatly in terms of philosophy, mission, and quality, it is clear that the use of the Internet and various other digital means to educate students has become an integral part of our education system," he said.

Barker's appointment is among the first steps the Pennsylvania Digital Learning Network has taken to achieve its mission of delivering global opportunities to every student. Barker said the next step is to bring together administrators from those school districts designated to participate in a one-year pilot program.

The school districts designated to participate in the pilot program have been selected based on their potential to serve as innovation centers that can model best practices and share cutting-edge programs that are getting results for students.

 "We've already reached out to a dozen public school administrators to gauge their interest and encourage them to participate in the program," Barker said. "If we hope to give our students the very best educational experiences, programs, and services possible, all schools must offer a robust digital learning program that is on par with the best of what cyber schools offer."

Barker has a long history of initiating programs designed to improve student achievement, including:

• Redesigning for Success, a comprehensive revision of curriculum, professional development, and programs within the Erie Public Schools;
• Project S.O.A.R. (Schools Organized to Achieve Results), a broad-based effort among members from business, industry, higher education, and other segments of the community to work with district personnel and parents to improve and stimulate education for all young people;

• The Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy, a magnet school providing highly motivated students in grades 9 – 12 with intensive academic and work-based learning experiences in preparation for careers in the legal, medical, engineering, and technical fields;
• Staff and student competency testing;
• In-class technology integration, and;
• A newly constructed high school in Erie designed to focus on communications, global learning and technology.

The Pennsylvania Digital Learning Network will provide pilot project partners with online courses through the Pennsylvania Virtual High School platform, as well as the expertise, technologies, curricula, and support to quickly and cost-effectively create and sustain a high-quality cyber education program. The pilot program will be paid for with a grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Fund for the Improvement of Education.

Contact Fred Miller, 724.777.5918, [email protected]

SOURCE National Network of Digital Schools