Technology Plan Guidance

Transcription

1 Technology Plan Guidance Most local education agencies (LEAs) currently have an approved 2012 Technology Bridge Plan on file with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) that covers the period of July 1, 2011 June 30, School districts and charter schools who wish to remain eligible for federal technology funding such as the federal E-rate discount program, federal technology grant initiatives, and state telecommunications access aid need to develop their next technology plan to cover July 1, 2012 June 30, Completion of the technology plan and submission to MDE for approval will maintain eligibility for state and federal programs for Plan Development The MDE has compiled resources to assist with the technology planning process. Technology planning should be an integral part of the strategic planning process of LEAs; therefore, MDE is providing resources to assist LEA s with technology planning rather than prescribe a specific process. Plan Requirements There are some requirements imposed by the federal e-rate program which must be met for technology plans submitted to MDE for E-rate program eligibility. These are: 1. The plan must establish clear goals and a realistic strategy for using telecommunications and information technology to improve education services; 2. The plan must have a professional development strategy to ensure that staff know how to use these new technologies to improve education services; 3. The plan must include an assessment of the telecommunication services, hardware, software, and other services that will be needed to improve education or library services. 4. The plan must include an evaluation process that enables the school or library to monitor progress toward the specified goals and make mid-course corrections in response to new developments and opportunities as they arise. Page 1

2 In addition, school districts and charter schools should note the following additional requirements for federal e-rate program eligibility: 1. School districts and charter schools receiving E-rate discounts on Internet Access must be in compliance with The Children s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). CIPA requires a school district to have an Internet Safety/Acceptable Use policy in place that has had at least one public hearing and to be filtering Internet access in order to prevent students from accessing material that may be pornographic or otherwise harmful to them. 2. Technology plans need to include any E-rate eligible services on which a school district is seeking E-rate discounts. 3. The technology plan must be written and have a date of creation that pre-dates any E-rate Form 470s filed for services for the specific E-rate program year. The technology plan must also cover the entire E-rate program year. More information on the E-rate program can be found at Plan Submission and Review The Technology Plan may be submitted at any time until the end of the planning period which is June 30, For LEAs filing for E-rate in Funding Year 2012 (July 1, 2012 June 30, 2013) remember that the technology plan must be written by the time any Form 470s are filed. Form 470 s can be filed by LEAs any time after July 1 for the following program year. MDE will review Technology Plans as they are received, and approval letters will be issued. To view approved technology plans and approval letters, please visit the Data Center: Data Reports and Analytics: School Technology Plans and Approval Letters. The Technology Plan template that follows will be reviewed to determine if the LEA has made a good faith effort to address the essential components required for E-rate program eligibility. The LEA may be contacted for specific clarifications as needed for approval. LEAs should also post their full plan to their website and provide the link in the appropriate space in the template. The template can be submitted to mde.schooltechplan@state.mn.us. Page 2

3 Technology Plan Cover Sheet (July 1, 2013 June 30, 2015) ORGANIZATION INFORMATION District/Agency/School (legal name): SAUK RAPIDS-RICE SCHOOL District Number: 47 Technology Plan Status The District/Agency/School has an approved 2012 technology bridge plan: Yes X No Technology Plan Date of Creation: IDENTIFIED OFFICIAL WITH AUTHORITY INFORMATION Name Title Address DR. DANIEL BITTMAN SUPERINTENDENT 1833 OSAUKA ROAD SAUK RAPIDS, MN Phone Number & DANIEL.BITTMAN@ISD47.ORG TECHNOLOGY CONTACT INFORMATION Name Title Address Phone Number & SCOTT MCCABE NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR 1833 OSAUKA ROAD SAUK RAPIDS, MN SCOTT.MCCABE@ISD47.ORG Page 3

4 Technology Plan Template Instructions: Use the format below to complete your responses. 1. Technology Needs Assessment: Describe the processes(s) used to determine the technology needs for the LEA for and briefly summarize the needs that have been determined. Make sure to include any technology needs that will be supported through E-rate discounts, such as telephone, telecommunications access, Internet, and other E-rate eligible services. Technology needs for Sauk Rapids-Rice ISD #47 were determined by the following: Informal surveys with staff Conversations and interviews with technology users Input advisement from district administration Staff survey regarding technology knowledge and use for productivity and teaching Survey of students, parents and community members regarding technology use Inventory of equipment (age, compatibility, quantity based on demand) Design and implementation of district technology team hierarchy to aid in decision making and budgeting 2. Goals and Strategies: List the specific goals and strategies for that address how your LEA will use technology to deliver education and assist with school administration: Sauk Rapids-Rice District #47 District Goal 1 The district will create a culture of academic achievement by engaging students and parents. Technology related goals: Use technology to structure inquiries, solve problems, and gather, organize, validate, and communicate information. o o o Use information in an ethical manner Make informed, reasoned decisions Model appropriate digital citizenship Page 4

5 Build skills for students through integrated use of technology that reflect current teaching, learning, and assessment philosophies using sound, research-based educational practices and appropriate grade- and subject-area information. Provide parents with access to reliable, usable information regarding individual student academic achievement. Ensure the equitable distribution of instructional technologies throughout the school district. o Provide stable, long-range funding commitments for instructional technologies. o Implement a plan for the timely upgrading of instructional technologies. o Assure that common, necessary technology skills are taught at age appropriate levels to all students across the district. Sauk Rapids-Rice District #47 District Goal 2 The district will prepare all students for post secondary success by continuously assessing student progress and by evaluating and updating curriculum and instruction. Technology related goals: Use technology tools to aid in the assessment and monitoring of overall student progress. Build technology skills that allow mobility and emphasize the importance of various technolgies as students transition among and between multiple settings. Explore, acquire, and implement effective alternative learning strategies, technologies, and environments to best support curriculum and instruction. Sauk Rapids-Rice District #47 District Goal 3 The district will foster an informed and supportive public through increased communication and outreach. Technology related goals: Foster opportunities for parents to engage in their children s education and for community members to be actively involved with the district. Effectively communicate using organized, comprehensive resources with the community, students, and their families regarding district activities and events. Page 5

6 Strategies- The strategies listed below are based on current technologies and apparent trends in emerging technologies. However, it is recognized that technology is quickly changing. Consequently, the strategies identified below may need to be re-evaluated as new information becomes available. All users of technology were considered throughout the development of this plan. These users of all ability levels include, but are not limited to, faculty and staff, students from preschool through adult learners, community members and parents. 1. Increase infrastructure and network capacity. 2. Secure adequate and predictable funding for technology to purchase or maintain necessary equipment. 3. Continue support of tools necessary for data driven decision making. 4. Provide training for all employees to allow them to complete their assigned jobs. 5. Move toward readily accessible technologies to support learning and communication. 6. Create a culture where a variety of technology use is valued and expected. 7. Assist all users in becoming competent users of technology. 8. Research and implement effective technology-based methods for teaching and learning. 9. Identify and implement appropriate tools for communication. 10. Use technology as a tool for collaboration. 11. Investigate, implement and support technologies that increase operational efficiencies. 12. Update and/or create and implement associated curriculums (Technology Skills, Internet Safety, Research Strategies, Media Literacy, Core subject areas with embedded technology skills). 13. Provide technology access for everyone to meet all district goals. 14. Refine and implement a tiered technology leadership structure to aid in decision making. Page 6

7 3. Professional Development Plan: Describe the professional development strategies you have in place for to ensure LEA staff are prepared to use the technology infrastructure, software programs, and online resources provided: Professional Development within Sauk Rapids-Rice falls into 3 categories: 1. Large group formal training 2. Individual/Small group Just in Time training 3. Individual/Independent Learning Trainers for professional development include: Media specialists Grade level high-end technology users Building technology teams Curriculum leaders Outside vendors Participant configuration for training may include: Specialized group trainings (i.e. curriculum departments or grade levels) Differentiated, personalized, on-demand training Whole staff trainings Training is delivered in the following formats: Staff development time (late starts, etc.) Using technology--blogs, web sites, s, screen casts, Moodle Trainings supplied as part of new equipment acquisition Parent meetings-open House, etc. Train the trainer model to develop proficient users who will support other users Community Education course offerings Advanced training for technology team We will continue to investigate and deploy alternative professional development options as appropriate. These might include flexible staff development days, technology academies (summer), online learning for staff, user groups for apps/hardware, informal support groups, technology message board, etc Page 7

8 4. Evaluation: Explain the evaluation process for your technology plan for , including timeline, roles and responsibilities, and information gathered to assess how the technology plan goals and strategies are being met. The Technology Leadership Team will be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the progress of the Technology Plan and for making appropriate adjustments. In order to do so, the committee will: Meet at least three times a school year, at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the year to assess the implementation of the plan. Use surveys, observations, anecdotal data and focus group discussions to monitor progress. Monitor and adjust the plan as needs change, budgets allow and new technologies emerge. 5. Optional Links: Provide links to district strategic planning documents, survey instruments, policies, or other resources that were used to provide data and help prepare the technology plan. The following documents are linked here: Proposed 5 Year Technology Budget Plan Technology Team Structure District Acceptable Use Policy Student, Staff, Community Technology Surveys 6. Link to Current Technology Plan: Provide the link on the LEA website where the technology plan will be posted and updated throughout the planning period Children s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) This LEA has an Internet Safety/Acceptable Use Policy in place. Yes No If yes, please provide a link to access the policy at the LEA website. This school district deploys an Internet filter to protect minors from material that is pornographic or otherwise harmful to them. Yes No Page 8