Every Ripon Unified student from kindergarten through 12th grade will be using Chromebooks by the end of 2017.

Ripon Unified Superintendent Ziggy Robeson noted the school board has budgeted funding to make that possible.

Currently two thirds of the district’s 3,100 students are using Chromebooks in the classroom.

“It’s important that students have access to the latest technology,” Robeson said. “The world is changing.”

She noted that a student not having access to computers isn’t an option any more given that the state is now conducting all assessment testing using computers

The district has been acquiring Chromebooks over the past four years. They are supported by two IT staff members at the district level.

The Chromebooks stay in classrooms. There is a computer loaner program districtwide for students that do not have access to a computer at home to do required school work.

Ripon Unified’s committed to giving students access to state-of-the-art technology is being reflected in the design of the new buildings at Colony Oak School where computer labs and other tech access will be cutting edge.

Robeson said  the use of Chromebooks augments the high academic standards teachers are shooting for when instructing students.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletn.com