Clark, Edgewood, Meadowview and Payne Elementary schools have one thing in common: they’re all moving forward with new technology.

The special education department of Selma City Schools is sponsoring an instructional Apple iPad tutorial session at Clark Elementary School today at 9 a.m..

Melvia Martin, director for special education, said the goal of the program is to help students, who may have learning disabilities, to familiarize themselves with new technology and develop new skills.

The Selma City School Board is expected to order 10 tablet computers for the labs and speech pathologists. Martin said the iPad will be used as a practice run for students and, if successful, will be used throughout the city.

“Dr. [Donald] Jefferson brought the idea to us after he saw how successful it was with other school systems,” Martin said. “This is indeed a great learning tool and we want learning to be fun for the children.”

Selma City School superintendent Don Jefferson said the state planned to remove more than $250,000 out of the city’s special education budget if the school system didn’t create a better way for children with special needs to learn.

“The same students who are recommended for special education are said to be the ones who will eventually drop out,” Jefferson said. “Teachers have said these basic skill labs have increased students performance in reading and math, so why not add to that learning experience through educational games? As a result, all needs are met.”

The instructional lesson labs will take place in four of the basic resource labs in Clark, Edgewood, Meadowview and Payne Elementary schools. The labs are open three days a week and will employ retired teachers and teacher’s aides. Both Jefferson and Martin believe the iPads will be beneficial for everyone in the long run.

“Our goal is to target those prerequisite skills students must learn in the classroom,” Martin said. “These labs will be interest-oriented and hands-on. Teachers and students will receive training together.”

For more information on the training sessions call 874-1613.