Pennsylvania Department of Education

Transcription

1 Pennsylvania Department of Education Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education 333 Market Street Harrisburg, PA Educational Technology Report Thursday, April 28, 2011 (Last Approved: Thursday, April 07, 2011) Entity: Northern Tioga SD Address: 117 Coates Ave Elkland, PA Phone: (814) Contact Name: Timothy Bowers

2 Mission The mission of the Northern Tioga School District is to provide all students with the knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to successfully meet the challenges of the future. Vision To develop productive citizens and successful leaders. Shared Values In order to enhance the district's mission statement and secure a broad base of schoolcommunity support for teaching and learning, shared values of the district are identified as a result of a consensus building process involving school board, staff, parents, and community. The shared values of the district are: WE BELIEVE 1. Learning is life-long. 2. Individuals learn differently. 3. Students share the responsibility for their education and development of life-long goals. 4. Family responsibility and community involvement are essential to each child s educational success. 5. Students benefit from and are encouraged to participate in a diverse offering of programs that enhance their educational experience. 6. All students have the capacity to learn when given the right conditions to accommodate individual differences. 7. Students learn to be creative thinkers, collaborative problem-solvers, and effective decisionmakers. 8. The community benefits from life-long learning opportunities. 9. Our community thrives from the educational successes of its children who become productive and responsible members of society. 10. The students, the community and the school district join forces to provide a safe, positive, drug-free, and smoke-free school environment. 11. A performance accountability system helps promote an effective and efficient education. 12. All staff and students become technologically literate. 13. The school district uses all financial and other resources in a responsible, efficient, and effective manner. 14. The community wants children to be successful. 15. In mutual respect for all beliefs and ideals.

3 Needs Assessment Reflections There are currently no reflections selected for this section. Overview Our district is comprised of five distinct buildings, all connected by a fiber optic Wide Area Network. This infrastructure hosts our telecommunication services as well as our data traffic. Our main telecommunications equipment and server farms reside at the Administration building with servers used for file storage and authentication located at each building. The Northern Tioga School District recognizes that our students live in a world of increasingly sophisticated technology and greatly enhanced communication. We further recognize that the availability of an ever-present and virtually unlimited information resource has profound implications for instruction. We have the infrastructure, vision, talent, commitment to professional development and sustained commitment to educational reform with the thoughtful integration of technology to meet the goals in this technology plan. What we are lacking are the financial resources locally to do all we know can be done to fully leverage technology in support of our district s goals. We will pursue grants, as we have done in the past, to supplement our technology budget and realize fully all this plan aspires to achieve. Current Status Since the last Strategic Technology Plan, significant progress has occurred on many fronts. The number of computers and servers has increased. Two additional desktop technicians were added to the technology department via a partnership with our local Intermediate Unit. Over 15 miles of fiber optic cable were run to migrate from legacy T-1 circuits to 1 Gbps circuits. All of our buildings are now connected via 1Gbps fiber WAN circuits. Additional accomplishments are: The electronic mail system was migrated from Microsoft Exchange 2003 to Microsoft Exchange All Local Area Network networking equipment has been upgraded provided 1 Gbps to every desktop. Power-Over-Ethernet (POE) infrastructure has been installed in each building. A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) has been implemented district wide. Internet bandwidth was increased from 4 Mbps to 15 Mbps. Implemented improved security features by installing a Cisco ASA firewall device. Barracuda Spam Filter was implemented. Migrated from an application based web filter (SmartFilter) to an appliance based system (M86), providing broader protection to the students of Northern Tioga School District. Challenges

4 Since the district has invested in the technology infrastructure, ongoing maintenance and expansion will become less of an ongoing challenge. However, district technology funding levels continue to be stressed as more computers, peripherals, software are purchased to support our growing utilization. The technology purchased during the period of the last technology plan will reach its end of life, and decisions will need to be made whether to replace that equipment. Additionally, execution of staff development and technology training continues to be a huge challenge as budgets and schedules are maximized. Future Needs Looking forward to future technology planning initiatives, the following needs have been identified in order to support the goals,strategies, and initiatives of the district s Strategic Technology Plan. Technology Skill Sets for Teachers definition of required technology skills and creation of targeted training programs. Projection Devices for Curriculum Delivery Hardware Replacement strategies Continued introduction and use of21 st Century Teaching Tools Additionally, the following infrastructure needs have been identified: Upgrade voice system to a Voice-Over-IP (VOIP) solution Implement videoconferencing technologies throughout the district Goals and Strategies Goal: Curriculum Improvement Description: To improve instructional delivery, the Northern Tioga School District will continue to utilize a curriculum improvement plan in each curriculum area and in conjunction with Learning Focus Schools student learning maps to be completed by September, Strategy: Introduction of 21st Century Teaching Tools Description: Implement 21st century teaching tools which facilitate the emergence of new approaches to learning that draw upon a range of insights into the human brain, the functioning of human societies, and learning as a community-wide activity Activity: Continue use of On-line Course Management System Description: Continue use of the online course management system which will aid in creating effective online learning opportunities. $1,000.00

5 Activity: Long Distance Learning Description: Improve the 21st century learning environment by implementing video conferencing solutions at each school buildings which eliminate most of the challenges created by the distance between locations. Utilizing distance learning equipment within the district will aide in providing a uniform curriculum throughout the three high schools in the district. This equipment will also provide extended opportunities beyond the physical borders of our district. Jeremy Loveland Start: 7/2/2012 Finish: 6/28/2013 Activity: Technology Integration $60, Description: Identify, evaluate and integrate the use of technology to achieve learning objectives that align with the PA state standards. $1, Goal: STUDENT ATTENDANCE (any school that does not graduate seniors) Description: Student attendance will meet a 90% threshold and/or show growth. Strategy: Increased Parental Involvement Description: Increase the involvement of parents with their children's education. Activity: Continued use of a school-to-home communication system Description: Continue to foster increased parental involvement in their children s education and improve each student s overall achievement by continuing the use of a school-to-home communication system which automatically calls or s the parents notifications about their children. $7,500.00

6 Status: Complete Goal: Technology Development Description: Increase technology integration into classrooms. Strategy: Provide and Maintain Adequate Computing Capabilities Description: Currently, the Northern Tioga School district provides a capable computing environment for students, teachers and staff. The district is going to expand on its foundation to provide an even better environment which fosters data-driven instruction by use of 21st century technology tools. Activity: Expand Districts Technology Resource Availability Description: Provide all of the districts technology resources availabe outside of the school districts buildings, allowing students, teachers and staff to utilize these resources securely while outside of physical boundaries of the school district. Jeremy Loveland Start: 7/2/2012 Activity: Smart Classrooms $11, Description: Continue to incorporate "Smart" learning environments through out the curriculum levels within the school district. A Smart learning environment includes an interactive whiteboard and ceiling mounted projection device. EETT and other grants will be used to supplement the districts current effort in achieving a 21st century learning environment. Status: Complete $30, Strategy: Provide and Maintain Technology Infrastructure Description: Determine the level of technology infrastructure needed to support the increasing and evolving use of technology during instruction.

7 Activity: Hardware Replacement Cycle Description: Implement a hardware replacement plan which replaces computer hardware at the end of its life cycle. Although this plan will need to be flexible to meet the district's budgetary needs, it will provide a guideline for the replacement of the districts technology resources. Activity: Internet Bandwidth $150, Description: Continue to provide adequate internet bandwidth for the district to satisfy educational and business needs. Internet bandwidth will be 50 MB or greater. The district will utilize e-rate funding. Activity: Maintain Wireless Voice Capabilities $139, Description: Maintain the districts current wireless voice capabilities which provide cellular phones to designated district employees to be used for official business. Activity: Upgrade Phone System $21, Description: Upgrade existing analog phone system to a Voice Over IP solution. Jeremy Loveland Start: 7/2/2012 $231,000.00

8 Budget Potential Budget for an AMENDMENT to the currently approved plan report that spans 7/1/2011 to 6/30/2014. Funding Source Total BUDGET $80, $226, $0.00 $306, erate $36, $192, $0.00 $228, Grand Total $116, $418, $0.00 $535, Goal: Curriculum Improvement To improve instructional delivery, the Northern Tioga School District will continue to utilize a curriculum improvement plan in each curriculum area and in conjunction with Learning Focus Schools student learning maps to be completed by September, Introduction of 21st Century Teaching Tools Total Funding Source Long Distance Learning Technology Integration $0.00 $60, $0.00 $60, BUDGET (Secondary) $ $ $0.00 $1, BUDGET Subtotal $ $60, $0.00 $61, Goal: STUDENT ATTENDANCE (any school that does not graduate seniors) Student attendance will meet a 90% threshold and/or show growth. Increased Parental Involvement Continued use of a school-to-home communication system Total Funding Source $2, $2, $0.00 $5, BUDGET (Secondary) Subtotal $2, $2, $0.00 $5, Goal: Technology Development Increase technology integration into classrooms. Provide and Maintain Adequate Computing 2014 Capabilities Total Funding Source Expand Districts Technology Resource Availability $0.00 $11, $0.00 $11, BUDGET Smart Classrooms $10, $10, $0.00 $20, BUDGET (Secondary)

9 Provide and Maintain Technology 2014 Infrastructure Total Funding Source Hardware Replacement Cycle $50, $50, $0.00 $100, BUDGET Internet Bandwidth $36, $36, $0.00 $72, erate (Secondary) Internet Bandwidth $10, $10, $0.00 $20, BUDGET Maintain Wireless Voice Capabilities Upgrade Phone System Upgrade Phone System $7, $7, $0.00 $14, BUDGET (Secondary) $0.00 $156, $0.00 $156, erate $0.00 $75, $0.00 $75, BUDGET Subtotal $113, $355, $0.00 $469, Grand Total $116, $418, $0.00 $535, Staff Development Staff development is the most critical component in any technology implementation. Simply purchasing and installing equipment is not the answer to the questions and challenges school districts face while preparing our students to become successful citizens in the 21 st century. Persistent and useful professional development will be made available to all district staff. Northern Tioga School District administrators fully understand and support this concept. This professional development has been designed into three levels, Educators, Administrators, and Professional Staff, which target areas of technology most likely to be utilized by their professional skills. All faculties will receive training in the fundamentals of using the school district's existing technology resources. This fundamental training is only considered a first step. Teachers will also have the opportunity to learn instructional best practices on the utilization of these existing technology resources. Administrators will receive training on the tools provided by the district to aid their management responsibilities. Professional Staff will also receive professional development on the tools and resources they will most likely utilize. In order for the teacher to effectively integrate technology into their classrooms, the administration must be able to build capacity for such action in their staff. Therefore, it is also critical that the administrative team participate in professional development for administrative functions using the district s technology resources. Administrators will develop a heightened ability to identify areas where technology could be integrated to encourage learning. On that same note, administrators will also be able to recognize ineffective integration of technology in classrooms.

10 The district will sponsor an aggressive and comprehensive approach to professional development to its educators. Teachers will be identified according to a four-tier system with varying levels of professional technology expertise. The tier system is as follows: Tier 1 Skill Building I am new to the area of technology. I do not feel comfortable using a computer or the tools and resources it provides. I need instruction on basic computing skills. Tier 2 Personal Productivity I have been using technology for a few years but need help in some particular areas. I often find that I have difficulty doing some intermediate level tasks within certain software applications. I utilize this technology to enhance my personal productivity. Tier 3 Teacher Integration I have been using technology for many years. I feel very comfortable using a computer and the tools and resources it provides. I utilize this technology to improve my instructional delivery. Tier 4 Student Integration I consistently incorporate technology in the delivery of my lessons. My personal productivity is enhanced through the use of technology. I actively offer my experience to other staff members about incorporating technology in the classroom. What I need is to develop activities that require students to utilize technology to meet my curricular objectives, and share them with other staff members. The technology department has on staff an ITS certified Technology Developmental Specialist who is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining this technology professional development plan as well as assisting classroom teachers in successfully integrating the use of effective strategies and multiple technologies in order to differentiate and enhance student learning. The Northern Tioga School District offers a multitude of training opportunities for its staff throughout the year, including summer academies, which offer technology courses. It offers various after-school workshops throughout the school year. It provides 30 minutes of common planning time where teachers facilitate these professional development activities. The Technology Development Specialist is also available to mentor and recommend best practices for incorporating technology into specific lesson plans. Monitoring Monitoring the education technology plan for a school district the size of Northern Tioga School District will take a coordinated effort. This effort will be satisfied by the district technology steering committee which is headed by the district network administrator. The district network

11 administrator will be the primary figure in the effort to maintain the execution of the identified strategies and associated activities within this plan. The steering committee will be responsible for monitoring the progress of this plan. In order to do so, the committee will: Meet a minimum of once per month to assess the implementation plan. Progress of activities against timelines will be reported Reassess the goals and activities of the technology plan to ensure that they remain current Review inventory of technology resources and associated level of utilization of this equipment Evaluate hardware and software systems using both technical and curricular criteria Assess the degree to which technology has been integrated into normal classroom teaching Assess the degree to which technology has enhanced communication between the school and community Assess the instructional use of provided Internet bandwidth With assistance from the network administrator, the task of monitoring technology integration in our classrooms and lesson plans falls under the guidance of our technology developmental specialist. In addition to the Needs Assessment that our professional development committee will be conducting, the technology developmental specialist is directly responsible for assessing our district s level of integration of technology into lesson plans. Teacher proficiency and growth will also be monitored by the district technology developmental specialist and building principals utilizing the tier system, information and guidelines presented at the various training opportunities provided by the school district, and semi-annual classroom observations. Evaluation The overall effectiveness of the Educational Technology Plan will be measured by the extent to which the district reaches its goals outlined in the action plan of the Strategic Plan. The primary measure of success for this plan will be student achievement. It is the intention of this plan to integrate technology to foster safe, effective, and rich educational experience for our students. To that end, all professional, administrative and support staff must achieve proficiency and acquire the expertise needed in the understanding and the application of technology to promote student achievement. Additional activities will be evaluated using criteria such as effectiveness of staff development, measure of technology skill sets, efficiency of district administrative operations, and long term sustainability. An essential element for the success of this plan will be an annual examination to adjust activities and strategies based on organizational needs. Also critical to the success of this plan will be attention to emerging technologies that may supersede the original aims of this plan, or allow for the completion of the goals in a more fiscally responsible manner.