Dunne Elementary School teacher Ed Caster says it won't be long before his students will be teaching him a few things about high technology.

An $11.7 million U.S. Department of Education grant is about to help Dunne Elementary on the South Side and four other city schools become high-tech learning centers.

"I see the kids in the school doing all of this," says Caster, a math and science teacher at Dunne. "We're going to put the equipment in their hands. We're going to turn them loose. If we teach them, they, in turn, are going to teach their teachers."

Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and Chicago Public Schools officials, citing an "emergency" in technological training, introduced a proposal today at Dunne that would turn five neighborhood elementary schools into neighborhood high-tech magnet schools, and expand three other schools.

While technology is a significant part of the curriculum at charter and magnet schools around the city, Daley says this is the first time neighborhood schools would become magnets with a focus on technology.

"If we are to produce the types of students who will keep Chicago a leader in a global economy, we must have a major focus in science and math technology," Daley says.

The neighborhood schools are Dunne, at 10845 S. Union Ave., Dumas Elementary at 6650 S. Ellis Ave., Dvorak Math and Science Tech Academy at 3615 W. 16 St., Nicholson Math and Science Academy at 6006 S. Peoria Ave. and Spencer Math and Science Academy at 214 N. Lavergne Ave.

All would be renamed technology academies. Students living in the attendance areas of those schools are all guaranteed admittance. Extra spots would be given out in a city-wide lottery.

"The best thing is," says CPS chief Arne Duncan, "they will not require students to test in. This is for all the students. We want to make our neighborhood schools even better."

In addition, Duncan proposes that Burroughs II, which has already been approved to share facilities with Pope Elementary at 1852 S. Albany Ave., would be a literature and writing cluster, and that the Perspective Math and Science Academy and UIC College Prep would expand to new facilities.

The proposals will be up for approval at the Chicago Board of Education's next meeting on April 23. If approved, the additions would bring the number of new schools and programs in place next fall to 35.

"Our goal is to create great educational options," says Barbara Eason-Watkins, CPS Chief Education Officer.

"All these schools are designed to meet the various needs, interests and abilities of our students as we move toward closing an achievement gap between our district, the rest of the state and the nation," Daley says. "We're working hard to raise the bar in education."

Caster says the introduction of computer and other technological training at the elementary level will pay off when those students reach high school.

"With these things going on, our kids have a chance to maybe go to different high schools if they want. Develop that desire at a young age and let them go to one of those specialty high schools."

Duncan says the city had to "out-compete other school districts" around the country to win the $11.7 million grant. The money will cover five years of the high-tech initiative, including the purchase of equipment and teacher training.

Existing teachers will learn the high-tech curriculum, Duncan says, along with specialists to be hired at each school.

Caster says he would also like to establish parent learning centers.

"We'd like to have the parents learn those kinds of skills," Caster says. "A learning center for kids, the community and teachers."

Proposed neighborhood magnet schools:

• Dumas Technology Academy, 6650 S. Ellis Ave.; currently Dumas Elementary.
• Dvorak Technology Academy, 3615 W. 16^th St.; currently Dvorak Math and Science Tech Academy.
• Dunne Technology Academy, 10845 S. Union Ave.; currently Dunne Elementary.
• Nicholson Technology Academy, 6006 S. Peoria Ave.; currently Nicholson Math and Science Elementary.
• Spencer Technology Academy, 214 N. Lavergne Ave.; currently Spencer Math and Science Academy.

Proposed expansions:

• Burroughs II Elementary, 1852 S. Albany Ave. The school would be a literature and writing magnet cluster. Its location was approved at the March Board of Education meeting.
• Perspectives Math and Science Academy, 3663 S. Wabash Ave. A new academy would be operated at the old Raymond Elementary School. The charter promotes a strong-school culture philosophy and a curriculum based on the "A Disciplined Life" program.
• UIC College Prep, 1231 S. Damen Ave. The new school would be operated in the Gladstone Elementary School, which will be closed in June due to under-enrollment.

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