Lewis County Schools. Technology Plan

Transcription

1 Lewis County Schools Technology Plan Mr. Benjamin L. Pace Director of Schools Ms. Pat Couch Supervisor of Teaching and Learning Mr. Dean Heady Supervisor of Student Support Services Darlene Johns/Penelope Tharp Directors of Finance and Administration Mr. Justin Hildenbrandt System Technology Coordinator 206 South Court St. Hohenwald, TN (931) Director of Schools 1

2 Lewis County Schools Technology Plan Philosophy Introduction There is one component, Title II D, Enhancing Education Through Technology, of the Public Law , No Child Left Behind Act of 2002, that designates funding for technology and technology professional development. Part of the provisions for this funding is dependent upon the development and implementation of a Technology Plan. This document contains a summary of the process and constituent components of the plan s content. Committee Members and Stakeholders The following individuals served as a Review Committee for the system Technology Plan: Pat Couch, Supervisor of Teaching and Learning Dean Heady, Supervisor of Student Support Services Darlene Tharp, Co-Director of Finance and Administration Justin Hildenbrandt, System Technology Coordinator Mike Taylor, Lewis County Elementary School Principal Trent Hill, Lewis County Intermediate School Principal Mary McDonald, Lewis County Middle School Principal Allen Trull, Lewis County High School Principal Cissy Riley, Lewis Co. Elementary Media Center Specialist Tara Tiller, Lewis County Elementary School Teacher Mylie McKissack, Lewis County Elementary School Teacher Sandra Thompson, Lewis County Elementary School Teacher Amanda Barnes, Lewis County Intermediate School Teacher Joyce Page, Lewis Co. Intermediate Media Center Specialist Sue Sharp, Lewis Co. Middle School Media Center Specialist Tom Jalomo, Lewis County High School Teacher Cindi Baxter, Lewis Co. High Media Center Specialist Rhonda Haygood, Special Programs Representative Anne Moore, Special Programs Director 2

3 Lee Carroll, Parent, Lewis County High School Nancy Workman, Parent, Lewis County Middle School Ken Crowell, Parent, Lewis County High School Jill Selby, Community Stakeholder Sandra Clayton, Parent, Lewis County High School Gwen Hinson, Parent, Lewis County Middle School STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION The State Board of Education addresses technology in the Master Plan For Tennessee Schools: Preparing For the 21 st Century. Goal: Technology will be used to improve student learning and meet performance goals. Current Status: There has been a major commitment by the state of Tennessee to implement networked technologies in order to provide students and teachers easy access to appropriate materials. With a network that now exceeds 100,000 computers online and secure Internet access, recent focus has been for teachers to reach performance competency levels in using available technology. This effort includes identifying resources and having them accessible to teachers in a timely and cost-effective manner to meet studentlearning needs. Strategies: Implement an educational information system that efficiently interfaces data requirements of local school systems to those of state and federal reporting requirements. Expand bandwidth capacity for school systems. Focus technology resources to improve student learning. Provide all students with access to networked computers in the classroom. Advance student learning in using technology to assure that all students are prepared for high skilled, high wage jobs and to support lifelong learning. Increase the development and use of web-based resources. Support opportunities for teachers and administrators to develop competence in using technology to meet instructional goals. 3

4 Obtain or develop on-line instruction to meet individual student and teacher learning needs and course requirements. Measures: Increase in student use of the Internet for learning as measured by the average number of hours per student per week (goal: 3 hours per week). Increase in the number of networked computers available in each classroom (goal: 5 students per computer). Increase in number of teachers and administrators trained in the use of technology and strategies for incorporating current technology in the instructional program. Increased interoperability of the education information system among school systems and the State Department of Education. Lewis County Board of Education Policies have been adopted by the Lewis County Board of Education, which direct and facilitate the use of technology in the schools learning environment. Through the adoption of budgets which fund technology adequately, these policies have been adopted. The Board s Five Year Strategic Plan emphasizes the role of technology: Vision Statement The primary vision of Lewis County Schools is to provide appropriate technology equipment, training, and support to Lewis County School s administrative and instructional program. Goal Area: Student Learning and Instructional Program 4

5 Goal: Computer based instruction is properly integrated into the instructional program. Technology based instruction is properly aligned with the school s improvement plan. Provide adequate technical assistance to administrative and instructional personnel. Provide adequate training for all administrative and instructional personnel. Strategies: Upgrade Internet speed to increase teacher usage in classroom and maximize use of Internet-based instruction. Implementing Distance Learning Classes at Lewis County High School by Video Conferencing Collaborative Projects at Lewis County Middle School by Provide professional development for new teachers, administrative staff, and on-going professional development for all educators and support staff which may include the following: System Acceptable Use Policy Internet Microsoft Office Power Point and Instructional Integration Strategies System Web Site Cell phone usage texting In addition to the planned technology training opportunities, custom training programs are developed at the request of administrators, and lab time is available with the Technology Coordinator and technology team members to assist faculty and staff with individual challenges and problems. Goal: Technology is used to provide greater efficiency in administrative areas. System can comply with state requirements for system data management at school and central office level. 5

6 Strategies: Continued implementation of System-Based Web Server, Server, and I-Mail Server. Implementation of State etiger EIS Student Management Database Program by Provide professional development for administrative staff which may include the following: Update networking hardware at school and system level Microsoft Office Techniques /File Attachments EIS/Student Information System Database System Web Site/Setup of Web Pages Processes OVERVIEW Lewis County Schools is a small rural school system and it is important that the process for developing and implementing a comprehensive technology plan be both practical and cost efficient. The plan should be easily understood and workable in order to provide the means to fuse all the components together forming a plan that moves our students toward computer literacy. STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVEMENT IN PLANNING The body of the draft was developed by a select committee of the total committee under the direction of the Title II D administrator. The draft was submitted to the whole committee for review and finally revised to include the approved changes. 6

7 TECHNOLOGY NEEDS ASSESSMENT During January of 2009, principals from each school completed the STaR Chart. Disaggregating the data revealed that schools throughout the county were functioning at a developing level of progress. In the spring of 20059, teachers completed a needs assessment survey that addressed technology from five different areas: hardware, software, training, usage, and support. The needs assessment survey indicated that the elementary school was lacking in sufficient number of computers to allow adequate student access, insufficient amount of update software to meet the needs of at-risk students, additional support was needed in order to meet the needs in a timely manner, and sufficient on-going professional development for use of technology. Faculty members recognized that even though great strides have been made for a small community, it was important to utilize all resources to the fullest potential. The greatest need indicated the training of technology implementation in the classroom environment. Educators, over all felt inadequately prepared to utilize technology in the classroom as a learning tool. RESPONSIBLE PARTIES Lewis County School System operates by policies that are developed by the Lewis County School Board of Education. The Superintendent is responsible to see that adopted policies are implemented. The Superintendent has several employees that are responsible for seeing that policies are carried out in each school. In the area of Technology the Director of Finance and Administration hand in hand with the System Technology Coordinator supervise\s the Technology Department. The Technology Department has representatives from each school that act as building level technology specialists. Other parties that take an active role in the implementation of technology policies are listed at appropriate places in this plan document. 7

8 Content OVERVIEW This plan contains elements identified by the State of Tennessee that serve as a guide to the Board, Superintendent, and Technology Staff for the continued development of technology in the Lewis County School System. VISION Technology exists in Lewis County Schools to provide appropriate hardware and software, on-going training, and support to Lewis County Schools administrative and instructional programs. GOALS, OBJECTIVES and STRATEGIES Goal: All students and teachers will be provided an educational learning environment with access to technology in order to support academic achievement. Objective Strategies: By October 2010, select computers from Lewis County Elementary School, Lewis County Intermediate School and Lewis County Middle School will be upgraded from Pentium III to Pentium IV or higher. Funding will be provided through Title IARRA, Title I, Title IIDARRA and GPS funds. By May 2011, Lewis County High School will implement distance learning for credit recovery and dual credit classes. Funding provided by RUS grant, general fund, and Title VI. Student to computer ratio will be five or less students per computer at the elementary level, and five or more hours per week at the intermediate, middle and high school levels. Innovative strategies include resourceful 8

9 scheduling of elementary students in order to provide maximum delivery of curricula through technology. Goal: All students will demonstrate technology literacy by the end of the eighth grade. By May 2011, Lewis County Elementary School student access to computers for Accelerated Reading and A+ software will increase by 10%. Continual collaboration with Vanderbilt Virtual Classroom. Increase participation by 10% by May of Strategy: The percentage of students, across all grade levels including high poverty and high needs, demonstrating grade appropriate computer literacy (as established by the Tennessee Curriculum Frameworks) will increase by ten percent of each year. Students from high poverty and high needs will be identified from TCAP data as well as county demographic information. Innovative strategies include integration of computer literacy skills into computer lab/classroom environment and curricula. Goal: All students will be taught by teachers qualified to use technology for instruction. Objective Strategies: By May 2010, faculty of Lewis County Elementary School will receive follow-up training before implementation of additional Academy of Reading software. Funding will be provided through Title IID and Title I A. By October 2009, professional development for new teachers and on-going professional development for current staff will be implemented in order to provide training for the new student information system. Training will be facilitated by system technology coordinator. 9

10 The percentage of teachers reaching the advanced stage of teacher use in technology will increase by ten percent each year. Professional development will be provided by system technology coordinator and Title IID funding. The percentage of teachers integrating technology into curriculum areas will increase twelve percent each year. E-Rate discounts will be used for increased efficiency of Internet speed. Ongoing and sustained professional development will be provided by system technology coordinator. Teachers in all schools will be required to receive on-going professional development in the area of technology. Professional development will be provided through use of Title IID funding and system technology coordinator. LEADERSHIP In order for a technology plan to be successfully implemented, it takes everyone to do his or her part. It is the leadership of the instructional staff that will provide the example and motivation to move a concept from an idea to reality. It is important that this technology plan have the support and backing of those individuals who are in leadership roles of Lewis County Schools. From the Board of Education, who provides guidance and funding, to the Superintendent and School Administrators who must support the concepts to the faculty and staff of each school who must implement the plan, there must be a unified voice and representation which articulates the vision and moves on the mission. This plan will become more than a paper document, but rather a blueprint for the success of Lewis County students as they enter the career or college arena. COLLABORATION AMONG EDUCATORS Technology teams will meet with the community stakeholders to discuss additions or revisions in the current technology plan. These stakeholders will offer expertise and information that will help individualize the 10

11 technology plan to meet the needs of each school in the district. Community members, parents, and students will be invited at various times to preview technologies, as well as bi-annual review meetings. In order to meet the goals, objectives, and strategies of this technology plan, opportunities for technology coordinators, administrators, staff, and educators will be provided to develop competencies in using technology. Peer collaboration will be utilized with the focus on providing the tools to integrate technology into the curriculum. These opportunities will be provided throughout the school year and during the summer at various sites and times. Formats will be one on one, small group, and large group sessions. The Supervisor of Instruction in collaboration with the principals, Supervisor of Student Support Services and the Technology Coordinator, will oversee the development of definable skills and benchmarks that all educators in the system will be expected to possess. COLLABORATION WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS The system will pursue grants, partnerships, and other available sources, in the community, that will support and continue to fund technology. Lewis County Elementary, Intermediate, and Middle School partner with individuals and businesses in Lewis County through the Adopt-a Class program. This program enables our school to use the community resources available to promote and improve our academic and technology program. The Lewis County Educational Foundation allows teachers to apply for mini-grants that can be used in the classroom. Some of these grants have been used to purchase hardware/software for grants. PROMOTION OF CURRICULA AND TEACHING THAT INTEGRATE TECHNOLOGY Supervisors of Instructions and principals realize that instructional materials now incorporate the use of multimedia and integrate the Internet in required research. Only curriculum/software that is scientifically researched will be 11

12 implemented into school curriculum. Documented research must be present in order for further evaluation of technology/software. Many work opportunities require employees to have certain levels of computer literacy in order to successfully accomplish a task. Ongoing professional development is implemented in order to align curriculum (all curriculum must be based on review of relevant research. with technology and provide instructors with directories with web sites that support the classroom academia. Data ( STAR, A+, Academy of Reading, TCAP, Student Management Systems) will be collected each nine weeks/ semester in order to assess student academic achievement, adjust curricular/technological usage, and implement future instructional improvements. The Lewis County School System will effectively prepare students to integrate technology according to Tennessee Instructional Technology Standards, into the educational experience in order to prepare them for college or career. To reach this goal, each classroom has at least one Internet connection. The elementary, middle and high school have at least one computer lab. The middle school lab is used as a community technology resource center. Teachers, when adopting new textbooks, are required to review and assess provided software and multi-media to decide if the material is scientifically based and will successfully support the written text. PARENT INVOLVEMENT The Lewis County Schools technology committee will meet annually in order to review revisions or amendments to the technology plan. This meeting shall be held in the spring of each year prior to presenting the plan to the school board. Parent stakeholders will take part in fall and spring technology meetings. During the school year, administrators and selected faculty will receive training in order to update individual school web sites. Each school will be responsible for posting pertinent information concerning calendar of events, special projects, and resources available for parents and students. Additional educational links will be available for academic support and parenting skills. addresses of all faculty members will be posted and parents will be encouraged to communicate via Internet. 12

13 Public access to technology is provided by extended school day programs and computer technology classes taught by school staff throughout the year. School presentations are done annually in order to inform parents of available technology. The Director of Schools participates in a weekly radio program informing the public of the latest technological and academic advances and opportunities. COLLABORATION WITH ADULT LITERACY SERVICES PROVIDERS Lewis County Schools partners with Even Start, to provide opportunities for adults to increase adult literacy in Lewis County. Through the Even Start program young children are cared for while parents learn parenting skills as well as skills to increase literacy and encourage life changes that will ensure the next generation a greater level of success. Students who are nearing adulthood at Lewis County High School and are emerging learners are provided remedial assistance through the use of A+nywhere learning software. This program has already proven to be an asset in achieving a regular high school diploma. INCREASING ACCESSIBILITY Currently, Lewis County Elementary School has one networked Internet connected computer in each Kindergarten and first grade classroom. There are two networked Internet connected computers in each of the second grade classrooms. The elementary school has two computer labs including one for the A+nywhere Learning Instructional Program and one for Academy of Reading. These labs were funded with IDEIA and Title II D funds. Lewis County Intermediate School has four student and one teacher networked Internet connected computers in each 3 rd grade classroom and four student and one teacher networked Internet connected computers in the fourth and fifth grade. Fourth and Fifth grade classrooms are 21 st Century Classrooms that utilize S Video and a TV monitor for teacher presentations. The special programs and Title classrooms have two student and one teacher networked Internet connected computers. There are three networked 13

14 Internet connected computers in the library. These computers were funded through 21 st Century Classroom Program, and BEP funds. Lewis County Middle School also has five student computers in the library. The sixth,seventh, and eighth grade classrooms have one teacher networked Internet computer and a student computer lab that has A+nywhere Learning software, Group Instructional programs, and a teacher training center. Lewis County High School has one networked Internet connected computer in each classroom and two computer labs. The first lab is located in the front hall. It is used for Information Technology classes and has twenty-two networked computers. Health Science classes have four student computers and access to Health Science Learning modules. The library has eight student workstations to allow students to research topics and complete credit recovery as well as research university options. Lewis County High also has one academic lab containing twenty-four networked Internet connected workstations that hosts software applications classes, web page development class, a teacher training center, and A+nywhere Learning software. These computers were funded through Goals 2000 Grant, BEP funds, and Vocational Carl Perkins Program Upgrade funds. Although what has been accomplished is encouraging, the world of technology is ever changing. Bandwidth, increasing accessibility of computers to students, and integrating new technology will continue to be a priority. INTEROPERABILITY Presently, Lewis County school system has 568 computers. Lewis County Elementary School has 80 computers that are networked with a Novell based server for login. The computers in the classroom are Internet connected with adequate local area network wiring and electrical systems. Lewis County Intermediate School has 140 computers with fourth and fifth grades meeting 21 st Century Classroom standards. Each computer is networked with a Novell based server for file sharing along with Microsoft Windows 98. Third grade classrooms have four student computers per classroom. Each classroom has a TV and VCR. Lewis County Middle School has 100 computers with a network that has a Novell based server for file sharing. Lewis County High School has 126 computers that are networked with Novell based file server. All teachers have a workstation and there are two 14

15 labs on campus. The CTE lab has 22 student computers while the Computer lab has 24 student computers. Connectivity for Lewis County provides two full T1s for the LEA. The intermediate, middle and elementary school have a fiber connection from the Central Office. The high school has a 2 full T1 s. All computers are connected through the school s network and are connected to the Internet through the state s routers and are filtered using the state s servers and N2H2 hardware and software. Individual classroom technology inventory will be completed by the System Technology Coordinator each year no later than May, and updated each fall no later than October. The inventory will be retained as an attachment in the System Technology Plan. EQUITY Lewis County School Systems does not discriminate in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices on the basis of race, sex, national origin, religion, creed, age, marital status, or disability as required by Title VI of the civil Rights Acts of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of All necessary accommodations are made for equitable participation by constituents without regard to race, gender, disability, economic status, or special needs as required by Section 427 of the General Education Provision Act Et P.L No Child Left Behind. Technology and technology services has and will continue to comply with these laws and the spirit behind these laws. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT The Lewis County School System is committed to allocating necessary resources to address the professional development needs. Training for new academic software at Lewis County Intermediate School will be provided through Title II D and Title I A funds. 15

16 Training for library automation will be provided through the Title II D funds and General Purpose funds. Training will be provided, for administration and support staff for a new web-based student information system database. This training is in inclusive in the purchase price of the software. On-going training will be provided, in house, for faculty members system wide. TECHNOLOGY TYPE AND COST Budget Goal I: LCES, LCIS, LCMS Rennaissance Learning Upgrading AR and Acc. Math to align with state academic standards and improve student academic achievement. Estimated Costs: $15, Funding Source: Title VI (09-10) Timeline: To be completed by 12/20/2009 Person Responsible: Pat Couch, Dean Heady, Justin Hildenbrandt 16

17 Goal II: Centurion Software (Blocks student access, resets to default setting) Estimated Costs: $3, Funding: Title IA ARRA Timeline: To be completed by 12/20/2009 Persons responsible: Justin Hildenbrandt and Pat Couch Goal III Upgrade student and teacher workstations for LCES, LCMS, and LCHS. (To improve academic achievement and teacher effectiveness) Estimated Costs: LCES: 127, LCMS: $25, LCHS: $39, FUNDING: LCES: TITLE I ARRA LCMS: TITLE I ARRA, TITLE I A LCHS: TITLE IID ARRA AND TITLE VI Timeline: To be completed by 5/20/2010 Persons Responsible: Dean Heady, Pat Couch, and Justin Hildenbrandt GOAL IV Renew annual Reading Counts for high school. Estimated costs: $5, Funding: General Purpose, e-rate Timeline: To be completed by 12/20/

18 Persons Responsible: Cindi Baxter, Justin Hildenbrandt Goal V Recovery Lab Laptops and Library Laptops for the delivery of specialized curricula Estimated Costs: $11, Funding: At Risk BEP 2.0 Timeline: To be completed by 9/1/2009 Persons Responsible: Cindi Baxter, Allen Trull, Justin Hildenbrandt Goal VI Professional development for teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, technology coordinators, and supervisors in the area of emerging technology in the classroom. (Technology Conference, Summer in-service, LEAD Conference, Title I Conference) Estimated Costs: $8, Funding: Title IID, General Purpose, Title IIA, Title IA Title IID ARRA Timeline: To be completed by 5/20/2010 Persons Responsible: Pat Couch, Dean Heady, Mike Taylor, Trent Hill, Mary McDonald, Allen Trull, Justin Hildenbrandt Goals for LCIS: Upgrade teacher workstations and student monitors. o Estimated costs: $44, Classroom projectors(125) 18

19 o Estimated costs: $250, Smartboards o Estimated costs: $3, each E-Beam Interactive White Boards o Estimated Costs: $1, each Library Booksys (Atrium software, Cordless scanner, server) o Estimated costs: $16, TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSESSMENT Select members of the total committee meet annually to provide input and representation from all schools in system. Evaluations of on-going telecommunications equipment and processes are assessed and recommendations are made based on evaluations. Included in evaluations and assessments are needs for services, hardware, new software and professional development as well as library automation services. Statistics from the Tennessee Electronic Library will be used throughout the year to assess usage of Internet and Technology in the field of research and to determine areas of future improvement. CHILDREN S INTERNET PROTECTION ACT COMPLIANCE Lewis County Schools is served by AT&T as an internet provider and AT&T provides adequate filters for web page contact and inappropriate use of computers based web-sites. At the beginning of each academic school year parents are given written notice of the proposed Technology Protection Measure and Internet Safety Policy. Students must return a signed Acceptable Use Policy before using any computer technology. This policy must also be signed by parent/guardian. The Acceptable Use Policies are kept in each school s office. REVIEW OF POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Policies for the Lewis County Board of Education are located in the Board Policy manual located in Central Office, school offices, and school libraries. Technology specific policies are: 19

20 Use of Internet Web Pages These policies are reviewed annually and more often as needed. Technology policies and procedures are reviewed periodically in technology committee meetings. EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT The technology plan is reviewed and updated annually. The technology plan is presented to the Board of Education for approval prior to April budget meetings. Technology committee meetings assess and evaluate the plan during developmental meetings. E-Tote STaR Charts are completed annually or as needed by each school principal. Assessment surveys are conducted to determine staff development sessions. EVALUATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY The technology committee members will meet in July of each year to assess and evaluate the implementation of new computer hardware and software. The committee will meet in January of each year for mid-year evaluations and adjustments to the plans. Finally, the committee will meet in May to prepare final evaluations and disaggregate collected data. Evaluation methods include needs assessment surveys, facility surveys, and TCAP data. Teachers and administrators will be required to complete a preand post-survey for each school. This assessment will include computer literacy skill achievement as described in state standards as well as academic achievement prescribed by tested state assessments. WEB SITE ADDRESS 20

21 This plan may be viewed at Lewis County Schools Technology Plan Table of Correspondences LEA Name: Lewis County Schools LEA Number: 510 Submitted By: URL District Technology Plan: Benny Pace Table of Correspondences for District Technology Plan Required Elements Located on Page # Paragraph 1. Needs Assessment 7 & Stakeholder involvement in planning Timeline 19, 20, Responsible parties 8 3 Content Elements 5. Vision Goals and Objectives Collaboration among educators Collaboration with community partners Curricula and teaching that integrate 13 1 technology 10. Increasing accessibility 15 & Equity Professional Development Budget 18, 19, 20, Interoperability Leadership Review of policies and procedures Evaluation 23 & 24 21

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