Chicago Public Schools Says Communication Was Key to Successful Google Apps Rollout

Strong communication and well-planned training were behind the success of the recent rollout of Google Apps for Education across 681 schools in Chicago Public Schools (CPS), according to Lachlan Tidmarsh, chief information officer for CPS.

Before implementing Google Apps for Education last fall, the district's principals and administrators used Microsoft Outlook for communications, and the teachers used OpenText FirstClass. The district decided to move to a consolidated system to save money and improve remote access, and narrowed the options down to Google and Microsoft. For the final decision, the district consulted with teachers and administrators, who ultimately chose Google Apps for Education.

The district completed the implementation in time for the start of the 2012 school year, migrating 270,000 administrators, teachers, and students to Google Apps. The district worked with Google Apps partner SADA Systems to help with the migration and training. As part of the rollout, they designated one staff member in each school as a "Google Hero." The Google Heroes were trained on the system before it went live and were available to help others in the school. The district also provided faculty and staff with online tutorials, blogs, and classroom-based instruction. When the new system went live, the help desk received very low call volumes.

Since the implementation, CPS teachers have been finding new and creative uses for Google Apps for Education. Many teachers are sharing assignments with students through Google Drive. Some teachers create daily quizzes in Google Forms to assess student understanding and use the results to tailor their lesson plans for the following day. The district also plans to use the system to coordinate school operations and communicate with students in case of a snowstorm or other major weather event.

Google will be discussing the CPS rollout of Google Apps at the FETC 2013 conference taking place this week in Orlando, FL.

About the Author

Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • The AI Show

    Register for Free to Attend the World's Greatest Show for All Things AI in EDU

    The AI Show @ ASU+GSV, held April 5–7, 2025, at the San Diego Convention Center, is a free event designed to help educators, students, and parents navigate AI's role in education. Featuring hands-on workshops, AI-powered networking, live demos from 125+ EdTech exhibitors, and keynote speakers like Colin Kaepernick and Stevie Van Zandt, the event offers practical insights into AI-driven teaching, learning, and career opportunities. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to integrate AI into classrooms while exploring innovations that promote equity, accessibility, and student success.

  • laptop displaying a red padlock icon sits on a wooden desk with a digital network interface background

    Reports Point to Domain Controllers as Prime Ransomware Targets

    A recent report from Microsoft reinforces warns of the critical role Active Directory (AD) domain controllers play in large-scale ransomware attacks, aligning with U.S. government advisories on the persistent threat of AD compromise.

  • laptop displaying a glowing digital brain and data charts sits on a metal shelf in a well-lit server room with organized network cables and active servers

    Cisco Unveils AI-First Approach to IT Operations

    At its recent Cisco Live 2025 event, Cisco introduced AgenticOps, a transformative approach to IT operations that integrates advanced AI capabilities to enhance efficiency and collaboration across network, security, and application domains.

  • educators seated at a table with a laptop and tablet, against a backdrop of muted geometric shapes

    HMH Forms Educator Council to Inform AI Tool Development

    Adaptive learning company HMH has established an AI Educator Council that brings together teachers, instructional coaches and leaders from school district across the country to help shape its AI solutions.