There’s been a great deal of discussion about technology in California classrooms, but Bakersfield City School District is the first to make it a district-wide reality. Working with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, the District today launches Learning Village, a revolutionary online educational platform and powerful curriculum management system.

“We are proud to be the first California school district to harness technology district-wide to support teachers and their efforts to give students the best instruction,” Bakersfield City School District Superintendent Michael Lingo said. “We looked across America and finally found Learning Village, an innovation that will revolutionize education. Instead of 1,600 teachers all writing with their own lesson plans separately, students will now benefit from the power of 1,600 teachers working together. ”

Learning Village, a technological innovation created by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, is customized specifically for the District and enhances the teaching and learning experience by connecting teachers so they can share lesson plans, best practices, instructional strategies, and other resources that can improve instruction and academic performance. From one central portal, educators tap into a wealth of web-based curricula, and collaborate in the broader district-wide learning community. Teachers will be better able to customize instruction to each student’s unique needs.

“Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is committed to innovation and delivering the best tools and support to academic excellence,” Houghton Mifflin Harcourt K–12 President Mike Lavelle said. “Learning Village is a dynamic resource that increases efficiency, fosters collaboration and ensures that every teacher is able to help students learn.”

“I applaud their vision and leadership to implement cutting edge technology to improve public education," United States Congressman Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) said. “This technology enhances collaboration to ensure that our children continue to learn and excel. It’s a pleasure to celebrate the launch of Learning Village with the community.”