Canadian Schools and Rubicon International Launch Electronic Curriculum Initiative.

Business Editors, High-Tech/Education Writers

LETHBRIDGE, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 18, 2001

Palliser Regional Schools and Rubicon International, an international consulting firm based in Portland, Oregon, today announced the launch of a major new technology initiative employing Atlas, a Web-based curriculum management system.

Combining acclaimed Curriculum Mapping methodology, developed by Dr. Heidi Hayes Jacobs, with Rubicon's Web technology, Atlas allows teachers throughout the district to share their curricula and makes possible the integration of curricula with Alberta's educational standards. "Students throughout Alberta will be the ultimate beneficiary of Rubicon's Atlas mapping program. Teachers will have a 21st century vehicle to deal with the age-old problem of curriculum articulation. Most important is that each school can more precisely respond to the needs of their specific student population as a community of teachers," stated Dr. Jacobs, author of Mapping the Big Picture: Integrating Curriculum and Assessment K-12.

Palliser is the first Canadian user of Atlas, the system developed by Rubicon and enthusiastically embraced by many leading schools in the United States. Palliser's technology initiative was made possible through a three-year professional development program, the Alberta Initiative for School Improvement (AISI), funded and administered by the Office of the Minister of Learning. Rubicon has worked closely with Palliser over the past few months to develop customized features to support Palliser's curriculum management goals.

By incorporating Alberta's Programs of Study into Atlas, Palliser and Rubicon have created an electronic tool that will enable faculty in all of the Palliser schools to align the district's curriculum with Alberta's adopted standards. Teachers, often separated by great distances, will now be able to communicate and share best practices in a way never before possible. "We are delighted to partner with Rubicon on this significant project. Atlas brings us a powerful tool to allow teachers and administrators to plan and rapidly develop new curricula," stated John Bolton, Superintendent of Palliser Regional Schools.

"This initiative strengthens Palliser's leadership in the educational use of technology within Alberta. Palliser certainly has one of the most sophisticated educational systems in Canada, fully utilizing advanced microwave and computer technology to support teachers and students. We are very excited to be a partner in this project," stated Roger W. Smith, Rubicon Partner.