Greater Albany Public Schools

Facts

1:1 status

PartialEvery GAPS student qualifies for a loaner computer from their neighborhood school or Albany Online. At North Albany Middle School, 6th graders use classroom Chromebook sets during class and don't take them home, while 7th and 8th graders are issued a Chromebook and charger to bring to class daily. Families can be charged up to full replacement cost for loss or damage. Elementary students also use devices at school, and approved tools include K-5 programs such as 95 Percent Group reading. Which elementary grades, which devices and whether they go home are not in public documents. High school take-home rules are not public either.Verified

Starting grade

Elementary (classroom use, grades not confirmed); 6 (classroom sets, NAMS); 7 (take-home, NAMS)Verified

Device type

ChromebookVerified

Core-subject platforms

Canvas (district-wide LMS); approved tools include i-Ready Math and Reading (1-9), IXL, and 95 Percent Group (K-5 reading); 40+ approved tools totalVerified

Daily device minutes

Not yet knownHelp fill this in

Paper option

Families can ask the principal, within 15 days of receiving the handbook, that their student not use tools that don't meet Oregon student privacy standards. Not a guaranteed paper alternative.Verified

Student data practices

The district reviews apps for Oregon student privacy law compliance and posts approved and restricted tools. Signed vendor data privacy agreements are public on SDPC. Teachers may still use some non-compliant tools at their discretion. Bark for Schools (student monitoring) is approved K-12.Verified

Timeline

1. September 2020

   Distance learning starts with Chromebooks distributed to students

2. September 2023

   District pauses K-12 science adoption and math and high school language arts curriculum purchases, citing budget

3. July 2025

   2025-26 adopted budget prioritizes moving forward with a new math curriculum

4. September 2, 2025

   Stricter phone rules begin at middle and high schools, Chromebooks still used in class

5. May 13, 2026

   Board members report positive feedback after first year of districtwide phone policy

Sources