In the School District of Waukesha, every student deserves a customized learning experience that is responsive to student needs, that provides varied pathways to success, and that reflects the belief that learning is defined differently for each student. To assist students and staff in this critical work, the district is invested in providing universal access to essential tools, such as personal computing devices. Providing these tools, making them a dependable resource, and removing restrictions that will hinder the educational process are all commitments and core beliefs of Waukesha One.

Devices are not the key ingredient to creating a personalized learning environment. Mass personalization of learning, though, is not possible without technology. Placing these devices in the students hands is a critical step (albeit not the first step) in moving to a personalized environment. We eagerly anticipate the day that the novelty of devices fades, while the hard work of personalizing learning stands alone supported by and transformed by the access to the necessary technology.

Waukesha One emphasizes the personalization of learning that enables every student (K-12) to choose his/her own learning path, pace and product to meet and demonstrate the established learning goals. Staff creates the conditions for learning, providing students with an environment that values a growth model, embracing both failure and the learning process, and a loosely defined series of pathways for achieving growth and demonstrating learning.

Technology is used to enhance learning and to provide access to vast resources and methods of demonstrating student learning. Technology, as a transformative element in the instructional process, is the component that makes the mass personalization of learning possible and manageable. As we aim at allowing students greater flexibility in their education, access to educational content, and to creativity and productivity tools, needs to reflect and respect that flexibility. In a self-managed model, students experience that flexibility with their assigned device while similarly accepting responsibility for maintaining that device and staying educationally focused.