Technology began in Greene County in the early 1980's. The first computers
were purchased for administrative tasks, but quickly found their
way into the classroom.
Several of our teachers and interested principals explored all the possibilities that these primitive machines could offer in both the offices and the classrooms.
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Although the software was very limited, as well as the graphical capabilities of these machines, the possibilities to improve the education of our students was quickly recognized by our teachers and administrators.
The mid 1980's brought about the involvement of the Tennessee Department of Education and the Computer Skills Next project began. Computers were provided by the Tennessee Department of Education and a state created curriculum was introduced which was taught to students in the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade levels. Teachers and students competed in district and state levels of competition involving computers and received recognition by winning top awards in state competition at both the teacher and student levels. More computers were purchased by local funding by the school system as well as the individual schools to enrich this program that was started by the state department.
Curriculum guidelines were developed and objectives were established by the State Department of Education for all grade levels by the end of the 1980's. Secondary level courses were created by the state department and Greene County began teaching secondary computer courses in 1990. Computer labs for all four high schools were purchased in 1990 and Greene County began offering courses such as Personal Computing, Software Tools, B.A.S.I.C. Programming, and LOGO PROGRAMMING at the secondary level. The elementary schools had also begun to teach the introductory skills needed for students to successfully complete these courses in high school.