While I applaud the idea of providing online tutor assistance for students after school hours, I have issues with how it is being implemented. First, I do not believe the Kansas State Library leaders had a request for proposal for bidding on a web based tutor assistance program. This should be a requirement on such a large project. Second, the rfp, should have mandated cross platform compatibility. This is 2006 and compatibility is not a difficult task to accomplish. Currently, tutor.com is only compatible with PC computers and not Macintosh computer systems. While the Macintosh computer market may seem small in market share, this oversight does negatively impact many Kansas students. Specifically, many of the 1-1 computer initiatives in KS are Macintosh based. Is it acceptable to not offer a tutoring compatible service to those students in Baxter Springs USD 508, Blue Valley USD 384, El Dorado USD 490, Fredonia USD 484, Hayes USD 489, Jayhawk USD 346, Little River USD 444, Nickerson USD 309, Pratt USD 382, Rose Hill USD 394, Sedgwick USD 439, Smoky Valley USD 400, Stafford USD 349, and Twin Valley USD 240? I also have three boys at home who have access to two Macintosh computers who are unable to access this state provided resource. At a minimum, the state should provide free access to a tutoring service that is compatible with Macintosh computers.
The state library system administration have shown that compatibility is not a high priority for them. I’m wondering why the State Dept. of Education wasn’t in charge or consulted regarding this education initiative. What do you think?
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