1+-+Overview

=**Overview** =

“AIMS is a nonprofit association of independent schools in Maryland and Washington, DC. Founded in 1967, the association's mission is to serve independent schools by providing outstanding professional development, accreditation services, public advocacy, and networking opportunities.

==== Independent schools are rooted in the idea of choice. They offer families a range of educational options: coeducation or single sex; religious affiliation or nonsectarian; preschool, elementary, or secondary; day or boarding; and each has a distinct educational philosophy and mission. For all of their diversity and widely varying philosophies, AIMS-member schools have certain characteristics in common. Each is governed by a board of trustees, is independent in governance and finance, has stated policies of nondiscrimination in admission and employment, and is a nonprofit corporation. Each fosters a culture of learning, not only in classrooms and laboratories, but in every area of school life - on playing fields, stages, in music practice rooms, and art studios.” (AIMS, 2011) ==== ====The majority of AIMS schools use emerging technologies in some fashion in the classroom, be it a 1:1 laptop program, laptop carts, interactive whiteboards, tablets, or mobile devices. These technologies have become part of the everyday life for our students. With all of the time and money spent on these resources, it is important that the schools, from the student to the principal, understand the value of using technology in the classroom and using it efficiently and effectively. ====