McMinn County Schools Technology Plan

Transcription

1 McMinn County Schools Technology Plan A Plan for Improving the Integration of Technology into the K 12 Curriculum August, 2009 David Pierce, Superintendent Joe Gaston, Title 1 Director

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction... 4 Administrative Support... 4 Needs Assessment... 5 Stakeholder Involvement... 8 Vision... 9 Goals and Objectives... 9 Innovative Delivery Strategies Collaboration Among Educators Collaboration with Community Partners Steps to Increase Technology Accessibility Curriculum and Technology Strategies that Integrate Technology Infrastructure for Technology Evaluation and Accountability Family Engagement Collaboration with Adult Literacy Service Provider Children's Internet Protection Act Appendix Chart: Students to Computer Ratio by School Chart: TESS Scores Chart: Classrooms Connected to Internet for Student Use Chart: Total Computers Chart: Total Labs Chart: Student to Computer Ratio by Year Page 2

3 Graph: Percent of Classrooms for Student & Teacher Use Individual School Data Summer Training Survey Form Summer Training Registration Form ISTE-NETS: Educational Technology Standards for Students ISTE-NETS: Educational Technology Standards for Teachers ISTE-NETS: Educational Technology Standards for Administrators Page 3

4 Section 1 INTRODUCTION The use of technology has become common place in the business world and it would be hard to imagine an organization being able to compete or even survive without it. However, that is not the situation in the education arena. There are vast differences in the opportunities to utilize technology between systems and schools; we can find extremes even within the same school. Author Lewis Perlman is quoted: If American schools continue along the business as usual path in the next decade, we will find public schools have become technological ghettos for a predominant poor, disadvantaged, and minority population. The Tennessee State Board of Education recently adopted revised curriculum standards with increased rigor for all grades; included in the new standards are increased requirements for those courses related to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). As part of the Tennessee Diploma Project launched by Governor Bredesen last year, the graduation requirements for math and science were strengthened to require more high-level science and math classes for all students. In order to meet these expectations, there must be a greater emphasis in the integration of technology into the everyday practice of classroom teachers. At the national level, one of the cornerstones for educational improvement for President Obama s team is the more effective use of technology. In discussing the Obama/Biden Plan, says: Barack Obama and Joe Biden understand the immense transformative power of technology and innovation and how they can improve the lives of Americans. They will work to ensure the full and free exchange of information through an open Internet and use technology to create a more transparent and connected democracy. In order to accomplish this, education must be at the forefront in preparing our young people to become effective users of technology. The importance of this can be seen in looking at the criteria for new programs and opportunities coming out of Washington. This plan will outline the processes already in place and goals set forth to place the system in a leadership position in the utilization of technology. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT The McMinn County School system is committed to improving the use of technology to enhance the quality of instruction in its classrooms. Under the direction of Superintendent David Pierce and the rest of his leadership team at the central office level, there is an awareness and sense of urgency that the system needs to provide the resources and training to teachers as a way to engage the students of the 21st century. Mr. Joe Gaston, supervisor of federal programs, is constantly searching for the means to upgrade both the technology equipment and teacher skills necessary to effectively use technology. Principals of Title 1 schools have made--and continue to make--efforts to expand their technology equipment and offer time for Page 4

5 their teachers to attend training opportunities. The system last year hired on a part-time basis an additional technology specialist to assist and give leadership in the support for technology needs. In addition, the system hired, again on a ½ basis, an experienced educator and trainer to provide professional development for its staff. NEEDS ASSESSMENT A technology needs assessment was done during the school year Information identifying current technology was collected through a survey performed by the Center for Research in Educational Policy. The assessment was the Technology in Education Survey System (TESS) and was compiled for the Tennessee Department of Education. All schools in the McMinn County Schools participated in the process. System information is presented here and individual school information is attached in the Appendix. All information given is data. McMinn County Schools have 6229 students and employ teachers. The student-to-computer ratio (Mid/High Capacity Computers) is equal to that of the Tennessee average 3.0:1. Information given in the STaR Chart Reports (School Technology and Readiness Chart) included: McMinn County was rated to be Advanced in Teaching and Learning; the system was Developing in the categories of Educator Preparation and Development, Administration and Supervision, and Infrastructure. In Classroom Computer Access, the survey identified the following results for Total Computers: Office areas: 68 Classroom: 1115 Computer Labs: 365 Library: 146 Mobile carts/labs: 182 All locations: 1876 McMinn County had 74.5% of its classrooms with at least one computer connected to the Internet for student use, while 94.2% of classrooms were connected to the Internet for teacher use; this compared to Tennessee s percentages of 81.7% and 98.0%. In Home/School Communication, McMinn County had 33.3% of its nine schools that utilize the technology, while 70.4% statewide made use of it. There was no laptop or wireless computing capability for after-school computing in McMinn compared to 1.5% statewide. Online Internet Resources after school were available at 33.3% of the locations while the state average was 57.5%. Teacher-led courses were available at 33.3% of the schools in McMinn County while the state average was 13.9%. McMinn County had 53.44% of its students with Internet access at home, while the state average was 59.71%. The Page 5

6 percent of McMinn teachers with Internet access at home was 84.67%; the state average was 91.17%. Out of ten questions that sampled 8 th grade students skills on ISTE-NETS (International Society for Technology in Education-National Educational Technology Standards) Competencies, McMinn County was below the state average on eight. McMinn County relies totally on the ConnecTEN internet backbone to carry internet to each school building; at the state level, 33.3% of systems do the same. The technology coordinator is a full-time position here as it is in 87.6% of Tennessee school systems. The statewide average for computer to technician ratio is 628.5:1 while the average for McMinn is 938.0:1. At the state level, 66.0% of systems report having technology trainers to serve teachers as does McMinn County. The statewide teacher to technology trainer is 520.0:1 while for McMinn it is 387.5:1. In McMinn, students are not allowed to use at school; this is true for 62.0% of statewide systems. Additional data was compiled from surveys sent to the schools. As of September 1, 2009, the system had 119 interactive whiteboards. Most of these are SMARTBoards while a few are Promethean Boards. There are more than 100 additional teachers who have requested that an interactive board be placed in their rooms. Seven elementary schools have plans/goals to purchase additional interactive boards and/or computers during the school year The high schools have goals of buying additional computers, projectors, document cameras, and interactive boards. As a result of the data, the following needs were determined: Teaching and Learning: o continue to offer and increase opportunities for Virtual Schools; o continue to grow online formative assessment; o improve student use of technology in career planning; o enhance development and growth in technology to provide differentiated instruction; o improve the technology skills of students as outlined in the ISTE-NETS (International Society for Technology in Education-National Educational Technology Standards) Competencies; o explore the benefits of beginning to implement some of the social networking strategies into the classroom: (e.g. blogging, student capabilities, wikis). Educator Preparation and Development: o Increase opportunities for Staff Development in integrating technologies into the classroom. Topics should address: Page 6

7 interactive whiteboards; other hardware, as requested (e.g.: document cameras, digital cameras); computer-based software lessons; student career-planning; curricula mapping; the use of data for assessment, especially in the area of formative assessment; basic technology issues and trouble shooting;. o This should also be broad enough to add in Professional Development opportunities for additional technology topics as they are adopted by McMinn County Schools. Administration and Supervision: o Expand the use of technology for administrative tasks in order to become more efficient and make more effective use of time management issues. Principal use of electronic compiling and reporting of observation and evaluation sessions, both informal walkthroughs and formal observations. o Use of the STAR student management system for: tracking and compiling data related to attendance; tracking discipline incidents; course scheduling; reporting free and reduced lunches; reporting homeless and migrant students; tracking English Language Learners (ELL); reporting student grades and determining Grade Point Averages (GPAs); ascertaining teacher certification and licensing; Compiling student and parent demographic information. Page 7

8 Infrastructure for Technology: o Continue to equip additional classrooms with interactive whiteboards; o continue to upgrade and/or add classroom computers and computer labs for student use; o continue to maintain and upgrade broadband capabilities to all campuses; o improve wireless capabilities at each school; o expand the use of electronic alert and communication resources to all campuses; o improve the process for reporting and solving issues related to technical problems; o consider the possibility of adding additional technicians as the technology resources and demands increase. There were seven technology training sessions offered during the summer months of June and July, Topics offered included the following: SMARTBoard, PowerPoint, United Streaming, Virtual Fieldtrips, Excel, and Free Online Resources. There were over 100 teachers who attended the sessions, which included two topics for each day. The topics chosen for training were selected as a result of responses to a survey sent to teachers in the spring of A copy of that survey and a copy of the signup form are included in the Appendix. STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT Technology planning became a part of the strategic planning process in the McMinn County School System in 1996 and continues to be an integral part of the process. Representative members of the Technology Planning Committee include the following: Ronnie Creasman, Special Education Supervisor Hugh Pritchett, Technology Coordinator Angie Covington, Assistant Principal at Mt. View Elementary School Brent Tuggle, Teacher at Central High School Jonathan Pierce, Director of Career and Technical Education Rebecca Morgan, Assistant Principal at Central High School Karen Sliger, Parent/Librarian Page 8

9 Beverly Bishop, Consulting Teacher Shannon Woodall, Teacher at Niota David McDonald, Teacher at Calhoun Elementary School Dr. Philip Swanson, Director of Secondary Education Dr. Ken Phillips, Technology Facilitator VISION The vision of the McMinn County School System is to improve student learning and achievement as measured by state mandated assessments. The use of technology will be an important component in achieving our vision. The integration of technology will create a dynamic and challenging learning environment for all students in the McMinn County School System. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The McMinn County School System s primary goal is to improve learning in the core academic areas for all students. This goal became the primary goal of the technology plan adopted by the McMinn County School System. State summative assessment data (TCAP) and online formative assessments will serve as the benchmarks for measuring our progress toward improved student learning. In pursuit of this goal, three primary objectives have been established: 1. Provide high quality technology to enhance academic achievement for all students 2. Continued emphasis on Staff Development so that the system s professional staff will be able to enhance their effective integration of technology into the classrooms. 3. To provide greater access to technology for every student in the school system. First priority will be given to high-poverty schools. These schools have historically scored lower on state assessments. Goal 1: Provide high quality technology to enhance academic achievement for all students: Continue to provide system-wide United Streaming, Accelerated Reading, Brain Pop, Continue to provide system-wide United Streaming, Accelerated Reading, Brain Pop, Continue to provide system-wide United Streaming, Accelerated Reading, Brain Pop, Page 9

10 and Brain Pop Junior. and Brain Pop Junior. and Brain Pop Junior. Purchase 20 additional interactive boards for classroom use (SMARTBoards /Promethean) Purchase 20 additional interactive boards for classroom use (SMARTBoards /Promethean) Purchase 20 additional interactive boards for classroom use (SMARTBoards /Promethean) Upgrade Plato curriculum for High Schools and provide Plato Learning Lab access to all 7 th & 8 th grade classrooms Continue Plato curriculum for High Schools and Plato Learning Lab access to all 7 th & 8 th grade classrooms Continue Plato curriculum for High Schools and Plato Learning Lab access to all 7 th & 8 th grade classrooms Purchase Education City software for remediation of K 6. Continue Education City software for remediation of K 6. Continue Education City software for remediation of K 6. Increase the use of computer applications (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, etc.) for classroom instruction & learning. Increase the use of computer applications (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, etc.) for classroom instruction & learning. Increase the use of computer applications (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, etc.) for classroom instruction & learning. Increase the use of technology for student collaboration activities and group projects. Increase the use of technology for student collaboration activities and group projects. Increase the use of technology for student collaboration activities and group projects. Continue to offer Virtual School opportunities to students for advanced/accelerated or remediation/credit recovery needs. Continue to offer Virtual School opportunities to students for advanced/accelerated or remediation/credit recovery needs. Continue to offer Virtual School opportunities to students for advanced/accelerated or remediation/credit recovery needs. Continue to use technology to provide for student career Continue to use technology to provide for student career Continue to use technology to provide for student career Page 10

11 planning planning planning Continue to grow the use of online formative assessments Continue to grow the use of online formative assessments Continue to grow the use of online formative assessments Improve the teaching of the ISTE-NETS standards for student proficiency in technology skills Improve the teaching of the ISTE-NETS standards for student proficiency in technology skills Improve the teaching of the ISTE-NETS standards for student proficiency in technology skills. Explore the safe and effective uses for emerging technologies such as Wikis, Blogs, and mobile devices such as cell phones/pdas. Explore the safe and effective uses for emerging technologies such as Wikis, Blogs, and mobile devices such as cell phones/pdas. Explore the safe and effective uses for emerging technologies such as Wikis, Blogs, and mobile devices such as cell phones/pdas. Goal 2: To provide ongoing opportunities for Staff Development in the use of technology and strategies for integrating it into classroom instruction Technology facilitator available for training for individual schools and/or teachers. Technology facilitator available for training for individual schools and/or teachers. Technology facilitator available for training for individual schools and/or teachers. Make available training for other hardware such as document cameras, digital cameras Make available training for other hardware such as document cameras, digital cameras Make available training for other hardware such as document cameras, digital cameras Schedule 8 days training during the summer (4 each in June & July) Schedule 8 days training during the summer (4 each in June & July) Schedule 8 days training during the summer (4 each in June & July) Page 11

12 Send technology facilitator & others to the Tennessee Technology Conference Send technology facilitator & others to the Tennessee Technology Conference Send technology facilitator & others to the Tennessee Technology Conference Provide Interactive Board training (SMARTBoard and Promethean) Provide Interactive Board training (SMARTBoard and Promethean) Provide Interactive Board training (SMARTBoard and Promethean) Provide Plato Learning Lab training Provide Plato Learning Lab training Provide Plato Learning Lab training Provide School Cast training Provide School Cast training Provide School Cast training Provide for training in the following areas: online formative assessment, curriculum mapping, virtual school technology, credit recovery, and others as may be identified on an as-needed or requested basis. Provide for training in the following areas: online formative assessment, curriculum mapping, virtual school technology, credit recovery, and others as may be identified on an as-needed or requested basis. Provide for training in the following areas: online formative assessment, curriculum mapping, virtual school technology, credit recovery, and others as may be identified on an as-needed or requested basis. Provide training for new certified personnel. Provide training for new certified personnel. Provide training for new certified personnel. Begin to develop training sessions to be placed online Continue to develop training sessions to be placed online Continue to develop training sessions to be placed online Provide training for basic technology issues and minor troubleshooting Provide training for basic technology issues and minor troubleshooting Provide training for basic technology issues and minor troubleshooting Provide training as needed to administrators Provide training as needed to administrators Provide training as needed to administrators Page 12

13 Goal 3: Improve the infrastructure for accessing technology in the McMinn County School System Purchase/lease additional computers to meet the goal of having at least 2 computers with Internet access in each classroom. Purchase/lease additional computers to meet the goal of having at least 2 computers with Internet access in each classroom. Purchase/lease additional computers to meet the goal of having at least 2 computers with Internet access in each classroom. Pursue grant opportunities to upgrade T1 lines to fiber in elementary schools. Pursue grant opportunities to upgrade T1 lines to fiber in elementary schools. Pursue grant opportunities to upgrade T1 lines to fiber in elementary schools. Increase wireless capabilities to move toward the goal of school-wide wireless access. Increase wireless capabilities to move toward the goal of school-wide wireless access. Increase wireless capabilities to move toward the goal of school-wide wireless access. Provide for safe, closed access for student/teacher use. Provide for safe, closed access for student/teacher use. Provide for safe, closed access for student/teacher use. Continue to provide additional interactive boards for classroom use. Continue to provide additional interactive boards for classroom use. Continue to provide additional interactive boards for classroom use. Continue to provide a WEB server for each school. Continue to provide a WEB server for each school. Continue to provide a WEB server for each school. Continue to upgrade network software aligned with curriculum objectives established Continue to upgrade network software aligned with curriculum objectives established Continue to upgrade network software aligned with curriculum objectives established Page 13

14 by the TN SDE. by the TN SDE. by the TN SDE. Upgrade network servers as needed. Upgrade network servers as needed. Upgrade network servers as needed. Upgrade network and equipment including new cabling and network devices. :Upgrade network and equipment including new cabling and network devices. :Upgrade network and equipment including new cabling and network devices. Upgrade computer hardware for school administrators, faculty, and attendance personnel. Upgrade computer hardware for school administrators, faculty, and attendance personnel. Upgrade computer hardware for school administrators, faculty, and attendance personnel. Network all new classrooms and new computers to the network and Internet. Network all new classrooms and new computers to the network and Internet. Network all new classrooms and new computers to the network and Internet. Provide connectivity and technical support to Family Friendly Resource equipment, Pre-School Program and the Alternative School Program. Provide connectivity and technical support to Family Friendly Resource equipment, Pre-School Program and the Alternative School Program. Provide connectivity and technical support to Family Friendly Resource equipment, Pre-School Program and the Alternative School Program. Work with ENA to develop a plan for telephone service to move to Voice over IP. Work with ENA to develop a plan for telephone service to move to Voice over IP. Work with ENA to develop a plan for telephone service to move to Voice over IP. Centralize servers and management of them. Centralize servers and management of them. Centralize servers and management of them. Place a minimum of two computer labs with Internet access per school for student use and update these on a 3- Place a minimum of two computer labs with Internet access per school for student use and update these on a 3- Place a minimum of two computer labs with Internet access per school for student use and update these on a 3- Page 14

15 4 year cycle. 4 year cycle. 4 year cycle. District IT will keep all equipment in good working order and upgrade/replace as needed. District IT will keep all equipment in good working order and upgrade/replace as needed. District IT will keep all equipment in good working order and upgrade/replace as needed. Expand the use of electronic alert and communication resources to all schools Expand the use of electronic alert and communication resources to all schools Expand the use of electronic alert and communication resources to all schools Improve the process for reporting and solving technology issues and problems. Improve the process for reporting and solving technology issues and problems. Improve the process for reporting and solving technology issues and problems. Continue the process of replacing all MACSs with PCs. Continue the process of replacing all MACSs with PCs. Continue the process of replacing all MACSs with PCs. Standardize software across the school system. Standardize software across the school system. Standardize software across the school system. Identify new networking technologies to improve the speed of the delivery of content. Identify new networking technologies to improve the speed of the delivery of content. Identify new networking technologies to improve the speed of the delivery of content. Provide an online system for schools to report technical problems. Provide an online system for schools to report technical problems. Provide an online system for schools to report technical problems. Page 15

16 INNOVATIVE DELIVERY STRATEGIES One of the major strategies McMinn County will employ to improve academic achievement is the use of on-line standards-based assessments for all of our students and teachers. Students in grades 3 8 will go online three times during the academic year to take a standards-based assessment in Reading, Math, Science, and Language Arts; this will be a part of the Scantron Assessment component. Students in grades K 2 will utilize the Thinklink testing service for assessments in Reading, Math, and Science; this will also be done three times each year. All these tests will be used for formative assessments, with the first of the year providing a benchmark for the remaining sessions in addition to providing information about individual growth from the last session of the previous year. Students in grades 9 10 will also have an online formative assessment, testing in standards-based assessments in Reading, Language Arts, and Algebra 1. This program will also generate a study guide which will allow students and parents to go online to help students work on their identified weaknesses. By effectively utilizing these formative assessments, teachers will be better able to differentiate instruction and better plan lessons based on student needs. Teachers involved with these assessments have been trained or, if new to the program, will receive staff development in using these technologies. Another strategy McMinn County employs is the Plato Learning Lab; this is a computer-delivered curriculum program based on Tennessee academic standards. It can be used with accelerated students as well as remediation and re-enforcement of skills for those students who are struggling with particular academic standards. Labs have been set up at both high schools and four elementary schools. In addition, McMinn County uses Plato Credit Recovery Program, a computer-aided instructional strategy to improve academic progress for those students needing to accelerate credit progress in order to remain current with their cohorts; this is vital for McMinn County to continue to meet graduation requirements as set by the state and AYP goals. The Plato Credit Recovery Program was field-tested in the spring of 2005 with the 12 th grade class; involved teachers were provided staff development. Then, in the fall of 2005, the program was expanded for all students who qualify regardless of their grade levels. The program has been successful and plans are to continue it through All teachers involved in the program have been trained or will be trained using the Train the Trainer model. McMinn County has also began using a virtual school program in order to improve academic achievement, to offer challenging coursework (especially to gifted students), and to present an option in credit recovery; this allows students to take courses not provided at the local school. McMinn County uses services set up by Hamilton County to access the virtual school program. Typically, four to five students per semester take advantage of the virtual school option. Technology strategies are used to improve the transition from elementary schools to secondary schools and are especially helpful in determining the correct placement of students. This practice is intended to improve academic achievement by utilizing computer-based career aptitude assessments and creating a career Page 16

17 cluster profile for each student. There are a number of assessments being utilized. The system uses the Explore (8 th grade) and Plan (10 th grade) modules from A.C.T. The Career Scope program is another assessment used by our students. Our 7 th and 8 th grade students take the Kuder Career Assessment. Another online assessment is TCIDS (Tennessee Information Discovery System); training for teachers is set up for November 6. Staff Development for elementary counselors is set for November 4 to train them to use the American Careers 6-Year Plan. All are online career planning assessments and can be accessed by students and parents from their homes. Participating in these enables the system to make a more appropriate placement of students, whether the high school experience should be a traditional academic path or include a Career Technical approach. Programs of study have been established for all McMinn County Career Technical Education courses. This is proven effective as data informs us that those students who take at least three CTE courses graduate at a rate of 94.4% in McMinn County. An additional practice for McMinn County is that of curriculum mapping. This has been and is an ongoing process and is even more important now as Tennessee transitions to its new standards. The goal is to have these maps produced in an electronic format and made available online. This will allow students, parents, and teachers to know what the essential standards are for each grade level. Staff development will be on-going in this process. The No Child Left Behind Act (N.C.L.B.) has made our teachers more aware of accountability issues. They will be integrating more of this technology into their instruction and will be encouraged to continue this process with the addition of new technology hardware and software available to them. The priority for funding will be based on high poverty schools and schools which have been or may become targeted for improvement through N.C.L.B. assessment. COLLABORATION AMONG EDUCATORS In order for McMinn County to meet our goals and to implement our strategies, each elementary school has grade-level teams in grades K 2, 3 5, and 6 8. Each secondary school has data teams in the core academic areas. The purpose of these committees will be to implement the goals and strategies and to help identify technology needs. In order for McMinn students to improve Gateway scores, End of Course scores, and to meet the rigor of the new Tennessee Diploma Project at the secondary level, integration projects with the use of technology (mobile labs) will be established between traditional programs and Career and Technical Programs. A professional advisory committee was established to discuss and plan for staff development. Ongoing and sustained staff development is taking place in the following areas: on-line assessments; differentiated instruction; hardware (e.g. SMARTBoards; Promethean Boards; computer-based learning programs; computer-based credit recovery; Page 17

18 curriculum mapping. Funds for these activities are from state, local, and federal sources. COLLABORATION WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS The McMinn County School System is involved with an on-going strategic and consolidated planning process. This planning involves community input in the form of community leaders, parents, teachers, and school administrators. The McMinn County School System has formed a Parent Engagement committee; one of the focuses of the Family Engagement committee is technology in the homes of our students. We will be working with the McMinn County Education Foundation on needs that are identified from this process. Most schools now have a Parent Resource Room set up at the school; most have a computer and printer available in the room. Parent committees meet twice a year. The schools have been enhancing their ability to use technology in order to communicate with parents. is being utilized, as is the creation of WEB pages. A summary of the processes used at individual schools is included in the Appendix. The Career and Technical Division of McMinn County Schools will continue the use of a Professional Advisory Committee and Craft Committee for each program to guide the use of technology in our Career and Technical Education classes. Each of our schools continues to work on school improvement planning and consolidated planning as well as family engagement planning. A goal is to develop a more efficient and more effective system of technology to communicate with our stakeholders. STEPS TO INCREASE TECHNOLOGY ACCESSIBILITY In order for our technology plan to produce the desired results, we must increase accessibility to technology for our students, teachers, and parents. We will concentrate our efforts first with our high-poverty schools and schools which have become or are at risk of becoming targeted by failing to meet the N.C.L. B. benchmarks. The planning should focus all sources of revenue-- Title 1, Title II, Title II-D, ARRA, state and local-- to achieving the following goals: 1. Continue the introduction of interactive boards, mobile labs, wireless access, and additional computers. 2. Provide continuous technology training to the staff, concentrating on interactive board technology, formative assessments, curriculum mapping, and the use of career planning. 3. Provide computer training for parents though Family Engagement funds. 4. Provide a technology committee for the purpose of coordinating technology needs and purchases. This process is guided by the TSCPP and its purpose is to focus all available resources from all sources to meeting the goals and implementing the strategies outlined in this plan. To ensure equity of funding Page 18

19 for all our students, we will use the Title 1 formula to figure a per-pupil amount. This will ensure that our highest poverty schools receive more funding. Curriculum and Teaching Strategies that Integrate Technology All strategies employed/implemented by McMinn County School System will be aligned with Tennessee Academic Standards and I.S.T.E. Technology Standards. The ISTE standards are presented in the Appendix. We believe that all kids can learn. Therefore, in terms of curriculum and teaching strategies, our efforts must be to map the curriculum and to train our staff to use differentiated instruction. To accomplish both these goals will demand that we learn to more effectively integrate technology into our classrooms. Each school has created a curriculum team whose members have been supplied with laptops in order to work at aligning the curriculum to the new state standards, with the goal of placing them on the system WEB site. In Career and Technical Education, teachers are supplied with an up-to-date computer workstations. This allows them to align the competencies of each class into their curriculum and monitor the status of students as they progress through the standards. We are integrating technology into our efforts to differentiate instruction with the use of our on-line formative assessments, SMARTBoards and Promethean Boards, the use of virtual school technology, and our computer-based academic preparation program technology. At the present time we must use our sitebased labs to allow our students access to these technologies; however, we will continue our efforts to acquire mobile wireless technology and increase the number of available computers in the classroom. It is clear from present research that standards-based instruction that is differentiated to accommodate different learning styles will increase student academic achievement. There is growing evidence that the integration of technology is one way to accomplish this. Infrastructure for Technology In order to allow our teachers and students to more effectively use technology, we must maintain and even improve the system s infrastructure for technology. All schools are now connected to the Internet with high-speed broadband capabilities, with elementary using T1 lines; the two high schools have been outfitted with fiber optic cables. The system will explore funding sources to attempt to move all schools to fiber. According to the TESS survey, about 75% of our classrooms have at least one computer connected to the Internet for student use; we are working to improve that percentage. The federal E-rate program provides a crucial component in the ability of McMinn County to provide Internet service and phone services to our schools. We qualify for 74% discount through the program. Internet costs for all schools would be $19,525 per month; with the E-rate discount, the system cost is Page 19

20 $5,299 per month. Phone service costs are about $32,000 per year; we receive a refund check for 74% of that total, with which the system purchases additional computer equipment. Without the E-rate assistance, the county would have to increase tax revenues to make up the difference or the system would face the necessity to cut those services to our schools, which would drastically impact the learning opportunities through technology and the Internet for our students. Evaluation and Accountability The technology program will be evaluated as to its use and integration into the classroom by our principals and Central Office Administrators. On-line assessments, state competencies, and state assessments will be used to evaluate the instructional effectiveness. In addition, surveys will be completed each year to measure progress in technology areas and to document strengths and weaknesses, for both the system and the individual schools. Our instructional staff will be held accountable by formal and informal observations for integrating technology into classroom instruction; observations will be conducted by administrative staff. Family Engagement McMinn County is making renewed efforts at creating more extensive and more effective parent and community involvement. Those activities are coordinated through our Family Engagement Coordinator Wayne Williams. Title 1 schools have Parent Involvement facilitators for the campus. Much of the effort to engage families is done through the use of technology. The following is a summary of what each school is doing at the present time: CALHOUN ELEMENTARY: o Teachers use to communicate with parents. o The school WEB site is used for presenting information about the school. o Calhoun has a parent information center, offering information and pamphlets with WEB sites to help with study skills and other parent helps. E. K. BAKER: o The school has a WEB site o E. K. Baker has capabilities for communicating with parents. o The school has a family internet accessible computer in the front lobby. ENGLEWOOD: o The school has created a WEB site with links for parents to contact teachers. o Englewood uses a teacher WEB program. Page 20

21 o Plans to install LCD display screens (one in the office and another in the cafeteria) to scroll school information and announcements. MT. VIEW: o Offers a school WEB site for information o Offers teacher for communication o Plans to begin using School Cast for dispensing information to groups of people NIOTA ELEMENTARY: o The entrance of the school has two computers through which parents can check information about the school and upcoming events. o is used to communicate with parents. o Parents can use computers for A.R. and other learning games. o Parents receive the Morning Fax announcements and contact when school dismisses early. o Some teachers have online gradebooks which can be accessed by parents. o Some teachers have their own WEB pages for parents to see assignments and announcements. ROGERS CREEK: o The school has a WEB site. o is sent to parents at least once a month to announce events. o School events are posted on Channel 95. o School Cast will be upcoming soon. CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL: o is used for communication. o The school maintains a WEB site. o Central uses School Cast to communicate with parents. o Channel 95 is used to announce school events. MCMINN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL: o The school maintains its WEB site. o McMinn High uses Engrade; Engrade is an online grading system which enables parents to have access to check grades, missed assignments, and other grading-related Page 21

22 information. Through this program, parents can send messages to teachers. Teachers are required to post grades weekly. Collaboration with Adult Literacy Service Provider The Adult Literacy Program for Athens and McMinn County is coordinated by Winona K. Pless. The service works in collaboration with the school systems to provide educational services to adults eighteen and over. It is a division of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development and provides services free of charge except for the GED test fee. The Adult Learning Center is located locally in Athens and is open four days a week and two nights for evening classes. Only one of the six individuals working there is a full-time employee. All classes are geared to the individual needs of adult learners and are taught by certified teachers; classes include: Basic Skills: This course provides reading, writing, and math skills at the readiness level. Workforce Development: The goal is to enhance the knowledge and skills necessary for the Tennessee workforce. Distance Learning: Although regular attendance to class is encouraged, students can be given materials for independent study at home. GED Preparation: Individualized instruction is offered, presenting classes in writing, math, reading, and test-taking strategies. Athens is an official GED test site; the GED is given monthly. Local adult education enrollment from July 1, 2008 until September 17, 2009 was 435; however, approximately 500 additional people have been served in various ways that do not meet the criteria for enrollment into the accounting system. During the school year, 57 GEDs were awarded. Children s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) McMinn County Schools is in compliance with CIPA. Page 22

23 Section 2 APPENDIX Students to Computer Students to Computer Page 23

24 TESS Scores Teaching&Learning Score Ed Prep & Development score Admin&Support Serv Infrastrutur & Tech Page 24

25 Classrooms Connected to Internet for Student Use 30% 34.80% 50% 74% 80% 98.70% 37.10% 100% 100% 100% Classrooms connected to Internet for student use System Calhoun Central E.K.Baker Englewood McMinn Mt.View Niota Riceville RogersCreek Page 25

26 Total Computers Total Computers Total Labs Total Labs Page 26

27 Student to Computer Ratio Student to Computer Ratio % Classrooms Conneted to Internet % % 80.00% 60.00% 40.00% 92.70% 92.50% 96.20% 94.20% 83.40% 90.60% 82.20% 74.50% % % % Classrooms for Teacher Use % Classrooms for Student Use Page 27

28 Individual School Data CALHOUN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Data from the TESS state survey also included information about the individual schools in McMinn County. Calhoun had 392 students and 23 teachers. It had 4:0:1 student-tocomputer ratio (mid/high capacity computers). In the area of Teaching and Learning, Calhoun had a score of 1.82; the District score was 2.70 while the state reported a score of In the category of Educator Preparation and Development, Calhoun s score was 2.33, while the system score was 2.58 and the state score was For Administrator and Support Services, Calhoun was 2.0; the system score was 2.1 and state number was In the area of Infrastructure and Technology, Calhoun s result was 2.2 as compared to 2.35 for the system and 2.31 for the state. These data totals placed Calhoun at the Developing Stage in all categories. This can be compared to McMinn County System being Advanced in the first category and Developing in the last three; the State was in the Advanced Stage for the first two categories (Teaching and Learning, Educator Preparation and Development) and Developing for the last two categories (Administrator and Support Services, Infrastructure and Technology). For the TESS section that related to Eighth Grade Student Technology Literacy, the school reported that all 37 of its 8 th -graders were technology literate although there was no organized way to ascertain the information. All classrooms (20) have at least one computer connected to the Internet for teacher use while only 6 classrooms report having at least 1 computer connected to the Internet for student use. Calhoun has 1 computer lab. The school has a total of 77 instructional computers with High-Speed Data Connection. The school reported that it does not use electronic safety/emergency alerts to parents and/or students. Sixty percent of students were estimated to have Internet access from their homes while 90% of the teachers had it. At the beginning of the school year, the school reported that it had 14 SMARTBoards and 2 Promethean Boards. CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL: Central had 780 students and 50 teachers. It had 3:0:1 student-to-computer ratio (mid/high capacity computers). In the area of Teaching and Learning, Central had a score of 2.33; the District score was 2.70 while the state reported a score of In the category of Educator Preparation and Development, Central s score was 2.0, while the system score was 2.58 and the state score was For Administrator and Support Services, Central was 2.6; the system score was 2.1 and state number was In the area of Infrastructure and Technology, Central s result was 2.2 as compared to 2.35 for the system and 2.31 for the state. These data totals placed Central at the Developing Stage in all categories. This can be compared to McMinn County System being Advanced in the first category and Developing in the last three; the State was in the Advanced Stage for the first two categories (Teaching and Learning, Educator Preparation and Development) and Developing for the last two categories (Administrator and Support Services, Infrastructure and Technology). All classrooms (46) have at least one computer connected to the Internet for teacher use while only 34.8% of classrooms report having at least 1 computer connected to the Internet for student use. Central has 1 computer lab. The school has a total of 169 instructional computers with High-Speed Data Connection. The school reported that it does use electronic safety/emergency alerts to parents and/or students. Fifty Page 28

29 percent of students were estimated to have Internet access from their homes while 90% of the teachers had it. At the beginning of the school year, the school reported that it had 13 SMARTBoards. E. K. BAKER: E. K. Baker had 369 students and 21 teachers. It had 4:0:1 student-to-computer ratio (mid/high capacity computers). In the area of Teaching and Learning, E. K. Baker had a score of 2.0; the District score was 2.70 while the state reported a score of In the category of Educator Preparation and Development, E. K. Baker s score was 1.82, while the system score was 2.58 and the state score was For Administrator and Support Services, E. K. Baker was 2.0; the system score was 2.1 and state number was In the area of Infrastructure and Technology, E. K. Baker s result was 2.8 as compared to 2.35 for the system and 2.31 for the state. These data totals placed E. K. Baker at the Developing Stage in all categories. This can be compared to McMinn County System being Advanced in the first category and Developing in the last three; the State was in the Advanced Stage for the first two categories (Teaching and Learning, Educator Preparation and Development) and Developing for the last two categories (Administrator and Support Services, Infrastructure and Technology). For the TESS section that related to Eighth Grade Student Technology Literacy, the school reported that all 30 of 34 (88.2%) of its 8 th -graders were technology literate. Twenty classrooms (95%) have at least one computer connected to the Internet for teacher use while only 50% of classrooms report having at least 1 computer connected to the Internet for student use. E. K. Baker has 1 computer lab. The school has a total of 21 instructional computers with High-Speed Data Connection. The school reported that it does not use electronic safety/emergency alerts to parents and/or students. Fifty percent of students were estimated to have Internet access from their homes while 90% of the teachers had it. At the beginning of the school year, the school reported that it had 10 SMARTBoards. ENGLEWOOD: Englewood had 706 students and 46 teachers. It had 4:0:1 student-to-computer ratio (mid/high capacity computers). In the area of Teaching and Learning, Englewood had a score of 3.33; the District score was 2.70 while the state reported a score of In the category of Educator Preparation and Development, Englewood s score was 3.33, while the system score was 2.58 and the state score was For Administrator and Support Services, Englewood was 2.0; the system score was 2.1 and state number was In the area of Infrastructure and Technology, Englewood s result was 2.4 as compared to 2.35 for the system and 2.31 for the state. These data totals placed Englewood at the Advanced Stage in the first two categories and the Developing Stage in the last two categories. This can be compared to McMinn County System being Advanced in the first category and Developing in the last three; the State was in the Advanced Stage for the first two categories (Teaching and Learning, Educator Preparation and Development) and Developing for the last two categories (Administrator and Support Services, Infrastructure and Technology). For the TESS section that related to Eighth Grade Student Technology Literacy, the school reported that all 69 (100%) of its 8 th -graders were technology literate although there was no organized way to ascertain the information. Page 29