Three-Year Technology Plan July 1, 2012 June 30, Superintendent Dr. Edmond Heatley

Transcription

1 Clayton County Public Schools Jonesboro, Georgia Three-Year Technology Plan July 1, 2012 June 30, 2015 Superintendent Dr. Edmond Heatley Submitted May 1, 2012 Clayton County Public Schools Department of Technology 1380 Arnold Street Jonesboro, Georgia (770)

2 Table of Contents Background and Demographic Profile.3 I. Vision for Technology Use...4 II. Current Reality...7 i. Data Sources...8 ii. Overall Access to Technology...8 iii. Instructional Uses of Technology...11 iv. Instructional Gap Analysis...12 v. Administrative Uses of Technology...12 vi. Administrative Gap Analysis...13 vii. Parent/Community Uses of Technology...14 viii. Parent/Community Gap Analysis...14 ix. System Readiness/Support...14 x. Goals, Benchmarks, and Strategies...17 III. Communication and Marketing...29 IV. Professional Development...32 V. 8 th Grade Technology Literacy...36 Appendices...38 i. A. CIPA Compliance Requirements...39 ii. B. Board Policy for Internet Usage...40 iii. C. Acceptable Use Policy

3 Background and Demographic Profile Clayton County Public School District (CCPS) has an enrollment of approximately 50,000students in grades K-12, with additional programs for preschool and adult education. Clayton County Public Schools is comprised of 33 elementary schools, 14 middle schools, nine high schools, one K-8 and two K-2 schools, two charter schools, four programs to include alternative education and open campus, WORKTEC and an adult education program. From kindergarten through twelfth grade, Clayton County Public Schools strives to offer the best in educational programs and services so that its students are able to face the world fully prepared for college, business or other vocations. 3

4 Section I: Vision for Technology Use 4

5 I. Vision for Technology Use Compose an overall mission and/or vision which describes the steps the LEA is taking to ensure all students/teachers have increased access to technology. Include a list of specific vision statements for system educational improvement over a three year period. It is the mission of the Clayton County Public Schools Department of Technology to provide flexible and responsive direction for access to information systems, instructional technology, and technology services to enhance student achievement for all students. With a strong belief that technology enhances the pedagogical practices of instruction, the district is committed to providing adequate hardware and software, quality data, and apposite technology skill development. Over the next three years, Clayton County Public Schools Department of Technology will continue to concertedly plan to increase support services that deliver on time, on budget, and with quality, services that support student academic success for all students. The vision of Clayton County Public Schools Department of Technology is to become a recognized model school district both in the state of Georgia and nationally for the access and utilization of innovative technology and cutting edge strategies to ensure that students are prepared to compete globally in an ever-changing society. This plan was developed by a districting team consisting of an array of key stakeholders to include district administrators, principals, parents, and students. The plan content was created, reviewed, discussed, and finalized by the committee based on the annotations and survey outcomes of all involved in the plan review process. All teachers and students will be proficient in identifying and effectively using 21 st century skills, tools, methodologies, and standards. Administrators, teachers, media specialists, and central office curriculum staff will use technology resources to access data systems needed to improve and personalize instructional delivery for all students. All administrators will be empowered to observe, monitor, and recognize effective and impactful classroom instructional technology use by teachers and students. Central office and administrative staff will utilize appropriate technology tools to connect with teachers, parents, students, and community. 5

6 Parents will receive timely and up-to-date information about their child, the district s goals and initiatives, and general news through interactive online resources, such as teacher web pages, video and audio presentations, podcasts, and a parent portal. Teachers will have access to rigorous professional development workshops, activities, courses, and plans, which target successful classroom integration of digital content, 21 st century skills, tools, methodologies, resources, and learning assets. All district and school-level level stakeholders will have increased access to data in an effective and efficient manner in order to support sound data driven decisions that will positively impact student achievement. All students will be exposed to innovative and interactive educational environments that propel diverse learning experiences to include increased access to learning and support opportunities using emergent and existent technologies for distance learning. 6

7 Section II: Current Reality 7

8 II. Current Reality Identify your data sources. What data does your technology inventory survey tell you? Compose a narrative analyzing the gap in access to technology across the district. Address the following groups instructional, administrative, parent/community, system readiness/system support personnel/resources. i. Data Sources: identified data sources are collected and cited to determine system members current level of access to computer hardware, instructional software, and the Internet. Clayton County Public Schools uses the following data sources for technology planning and implementation: 1. State Technology Inventory 2. 8 th Grade Technology Literacy Assessment 3. Training Surveys for 21 st Century Digital Classroom Professional Learning 4. Locally Developed Pre and Post Teacher Technology Integration Assessment Tool 5. Laptop Training and Ed Jobs Survey 6. Internal Human Resources Desk Audit and Job Analysis 7. Annual Technology Budget 8. Gap Analysis Report ii. Overall Access to Technology The Technology Department maintains a detailed database of computer and peripheral equipment by school location and external centralized sites. Data such as serial numbers, parts and model numbers, age and life cycle status of the equipment are maintained by technicians and stored centrally for quick query access and for reporting. Access to technology in Clayton County Schools has progressively increased over the past five years. Our network and communications infrastructure enable the school system to provide exceptional bandwidth and reliability to all users. The current wide area network consists of a fiber optic infrastructure to all of our schools and administrative locations. All remote locations are provided with full-duplex 100 Mbps connections with a Committed Information Rate (CIR) of 20 Mbps. The locations are connected to the data center by three full-duplex 1 Gbps connections with a CIR of 250 Mbps. A 8

9 wired and wireless local area network is implemented within each school and administrative location providing high speed access to network resources. Instructional Access An analysis of data from the state technology inventory report regarding local school technology reveals excellent access to technology for students, teachers, and administrators. Each certified teacher receives a laptop and all instructional classrooms are equipped with interactive classroom equipment, including but not limited to the following: Interactive whiteboard or mobile handheld school pad unit Ceiling-mounted DLP digital projector integrated with TV Tuner, DVD/VHS combo Mounted universal sound system Student Response Clickers (at least one kit per grade level, with many schools purchasing additional units) Document Cameras (at least 5-10 per school) Networked printer At least one computer lab with 28 workstations One multi-purpose instructional lab and several CTAE computer labs in each high school Networked desktop computers (two or more, depending on the school and/or classroom; i.e. Read 180, Remediation, and Foreign Languages classes) A minimum of one mobile wireless laptop cart per school Digital content (software for interactive whiteboard, RM Easiteach, RM Math Frameworks, Thinkfinity, Turning Technologies, and locally developed lessons) Software and Digital Content RM Easiteach is a software application purchased to provide GPS-aligned technology resources for the core content areas. This software is installed on the county-issued laptops of all l kindergarten through twelfth grade teachers. In the middle and high schools, RM Easiteach Math Frameworks is also loaded on teacher laptops to target math achievement in secondary schools. Another important resource used in Clayton County for digital content is Thinkfinity a free, state partnered resource funded by Verizon Foundation. The charts below summarize the district s overall instructional and administrative ive access to technology, including System Readiness and Support as well as Personnel Resources. Administrative Access In addition to the instructional hardware and software listed above, results from our internal database reports illustrate adequate access to technology resources for administrative functions. Most administrative applications use a central database to insure single point of data entry. This approach 9

10 improves data accuracy and user efficiency. The student information system,, travel reporting, financial accounting, employee payroll reporting tool, and many other central operations are all supported by this centralized database tool developed in the AS400 application. A web-based based help desk service portal provides a centralized platform to log, analyze and assist in the resolution of helpdesk issues. Access to the State Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) provides authorized district stakeholders direct online access s to longitudinal student data such as students academic, attendance, and enrollment histories, state assessments, course grades, and online digital content catapulting opportunities to tailor instruction to improve student learning experiences. Administrators at all sites have access to either a desktop or laptop computer with docking station and a networked printer. In order to support remote needs for access, VPN and broadband mobile cards are provided as needed. The Department of Technology issues sues smartphone devices to designated school- based administrative staff and central office personnel. The Professional Learning Department houses video conferencing and distance learning equipment for remote meetings, classes, or activities. Below is a snapshot illustrating current instructional and administrative access within the Clayton County School system. This data is taken from the 2011 State Technology Inventory Report. Student Population: 50,366 Number of Classrooms Reporting: 3,202 Number of General Education Classrooms: 2,639/ Comp 10,145 Number of Vocational Education Classrooms: 153/ Comp 2,729 Number of Special Education Classrooms: 410 / Comp 1,258 Number of Mobile Wireless Labs: 67/1,177 Number of Stationary Labs: 2,321 Number of Media Center Computers: 700 Other Locations: 432 TOTAL number of classrooms/computers: 3,202 / Comp 18,762 Number of Teacher Laptops: 4,686 Number of Schools with High Speed Internet: 64 Number of Wireless Access Points: 5000 Number of Administrative laptops in the schools: 250/Comp 751 Number of Peripheral Devices in schools (includes clickers, 26,985/Admin 416 printers, cameras, interactive whiteboards, projectors, etc.): TOTAL DEVICES IN ALL Students per Modern (Technical support staff which includes 10field techs.) Instructional Computers

11 Parent and Community Access Clayton County Public Schools is committed to fostering an environment that positively promotes communication among all stakeholders. The District provides a centralized web-based based portal that allows parents of all elementary and secondary students, access to student s educational data including course schedules, grades, attendance, and bus-stop information. The District also has a district-widsystem, School Messenger that allows phone calls to be sent to all families. The district website provides information and resources for teachers, students, parents, and the community. The site is currently undergoing a redesign to make it an even more effectual resource. Every school has a parent liaison whose primary role is to serve as a pivotal resource to the administrators, teachers, parents, students, and the calling community. iii. Instructional Uses of Technology: include digital and online resources Technology in Clayton County Schools continues to focus on the district s Balance Scorecard/Strategic Action Plan to support a district-wide vision. Our schools are challenged to prepare students to navigate and excel in a global society with technology as a driving force. Support is provided for student success by understanding that curriculum, instruction, assessment, and standards drive all technology decisions in our district. All of our goals and initiatives support the department of Teaching and Learning in its efforts to ensure a quality and holistic education for all students Instructional use of technology in Clayton County Schools centers on utilizing technology to support and facilitate the curriculum. Students in every curricular area at every grade level are exposed to technology as a resource and optional tool for engagement in the learning process. Teachers are encouraged to plan at least two technology-rich lesson plans per week. Currently, all teachers receive a series of overview trainings on the basic functionality of available hardware and software and they also participate in several technology integration workshops. Because most middle school teachers have had access to 21 st century tools in their classrooms srooms for two full school years, middle school students participate in lessons that incorporate the use of document cameras for math and science courses and student response clickers for general formative assessment in all content areas. Additionally, most middle school teachers are comfortable providing instruction with the interactive mobile school pad units. Technology observation data results reveal that most teachers still use technology to employ teacher-led instruction strategies. 11

12 Only half of the elementary schools and the 9 th Grade Academies received digital classroom equipment this past year and their instructional use of technology is slowly developing as we continue to roll out training to these locations. In the spring of 2009, the remaining elementary schools and 10 th -12 th grade classrooms received their allotted technology equipment and are currently participating in training sessions. iv. Instructional Gap Analysis Although teachers in Clayton County Schools are empowered with 21 st century digital equipment in every instructional classroom, there is a profound need for a more rigorous training model to provide teachers with pedagogical strategies to meet the needs of students by: fostering 21st century learning skills, promoting critical thinking skills, encouraging higher-order thinking strategies, and cultivating a standards-based learning environment where technology allows students to explore higher levels of Bloom s Taxonomy.. Other system instructional needs include: Replacement of teacher laptops by Implementation of a systemic strategic planning process for instructional hardware and software purchases. v. Administrative Uses of Technology: include digital and online resources Operational uses of technology include using hardware and software resources for: payroll management benefits management and enrollment human resource management financial accounting and purchasing facility work order management transportation and bus routing food service point of sale professional learning course maintenance 12

13 School-based administrative uses of technology include using hardware and software resources for: library management student field trip information gradebook, attendance, and discipline data maintenance substitute teacher management student information recording Locally developed, the student information system runs on the AS400 iseries. The SmartWeb Technologies Classroom Management System interfaces with the AS400 system and allows teachers to maintain student attendance and grades. Additionally, the Technology Department uses a web filtering tool to manage Internet traffic for all locations. Firewalls and endpoint protection are used to secure the network. An archiving solution is maintained for all users. vi. Administrative Gap Analysis Although all administrative computers are equipped with the Microsoft Office Suite, the technology department is working on upgrading every user to the current Microsoft Operating system and office suite. In addition, several technology projects are in progress to upgrade the infrastructure and backbone of the district s technology resources. To date, Clayton County has configured an AS400 system to host the core administrative systems in the district to include student information, payroll, and human resources. While the AS400 offers a comprehensive Student Information and Management system, it lacks the rich user interface that allows district stakeholders to access the information they need via an intuitive, web-based interface which focuses on the needs of 21 st century school districts; hence, the district is currently exploring possible replacement to the system s current core systems. Additional administrative technology needs include: Need for centralized data warehouse or data mart tool Need to increase the web development team competencies for increased role of web interface. Need for disaster recovery location and process. Need for enterprise solution to address heavy paper-based processes. 13

14 vii. Parent and Community Uses of Technology Parents and community members use technology by interfacing with the district through , websites (both central and local schools), newsletters, and cable television shows to include CCS Today, The Superintendent Report, and the award-winning Hanging with Dr. Hendrix. viii. Parent and Community Gap Analysis Although Clayton County s award winning website provides very timely, up-to-date information to parents and community members, feedback from an informal focus group revealed the need for a more interactive web portal for all stakeholders. Currently critical data is housed in several separate databases or external applications. A survey on technology use was administered to eighth grade students as part of the 21 st Century Skills Assessment. The following data reflects the student responses ses to several questions related to technology access and use in and out of the classroom. ix. System Readiness and Support The following system support strategies are currently in place: 14

15 Security and web content filtering are on all machines and updated regularly. Strong network and communications infrastructure in place. Seven administrative sites have wireless capabilities. archiving solution provided for all users. Server virtualization is in place to maintain centralized management of school and administrative servers. Although the above list represents a strong focus on system readiness and support, there is a need for a disaster recovery process and external location for data back-up. 15

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17 x. Goals, Benchmarks, and Strategies x. Instructional Uses of Technology GOAL 1: INSTRUCTIONAL Improve and update the 21 st century digital classroom equipment and peripherals Strategies Benchmark Evaluation Method Funding Source/Amount Person Responsible Increase the number of classrooms equipped with Interactive Technology (document cameras, student clickers, digital camera equipment per teacher) All schools will have at least 1 component per 5 teachers Annual Technology Inventory Tool 2012:$350, : $350, : $350,000 SPLOST: $350,000 for one student clicker kit and document camera per classroom each year. Chief Operations Officer Director of Instructional Technology Provide schools with computer learning labs to decrease the student to computer ratio All schools will have at least 1-5 computer learning labs with machines per school Annual Technology Inventory Tool Media Specialist Survey 2012:$5.5 million SPLOST:$5.5 million Chief Operations Officer Provide each classroom with 6-10 ports per classroom. Ports used to support student and teacher network access in every classroom Annual Technology Inventory Tool SPLOST 2012: 1.5 million 2013: 1.5 million Chief Operations Officer

18 2014: 1.5 million Provide each school with 2-5 student computers per classroom All students will have access to 2-5 computers in every classroom Annual Technology Inventory Tool 2012:$4.3 million 2013:$4.3 million 2014:$4.3 million SPLOST: $4.3 million per year to add and reach 5 computers. Director of Technology For new school construction, install all Interactive Technology needed in classrooms (SAP 2) Annual Technology Inventory Tool 2012:$1 million 2013:$250,000 SPLOST:$1.2 million * Depending on future enrollment for 2012 Chief Operations Officer Director of Technology GOAL 2: INSTRUCTIONAL Use technology to improve student academic performance and increase technology literacy for students and teachers. Strategies Benchmark Evaluation Method Funding Source/Amount Person Responsible Expand and support learning opportunities beyond the classroom and school using distance learning resources. Increased virtual learning experiences Annual administration of technology surveys (i.e. LoTI). Local/SPLOST 2012:$500, :$500, :$500,000 Director of Instructional Technology Director of Technology Chief Operations Officer Clayton County Public Schools

19 Use Thinkgate to disaggregate data for the purpose of differentiating instruction and increasing student learning in all subgroups. Ensure that technology integration is an instructional component of every subject area Target grades 5-8 for mandatory technology course to ensure mastery of 8 th grade technology literacy competency Utilization of Thinkgate data in district and schoollevel meetings Teaching & Learning will work with Instructional Technology to develop technology connections for each subject area and embed into local district curriculum framework guides Teaching and Learning will work with Instructional Technology to develop technology courses for middle grades Focused discussions with local school leaders inclusive of KPI (Key Performance Indicator) reviews Teacher Lesson Plans and Observations Annual Technology N/A Literacy Assessment given at all middle school grades levels Funding source: Local funds (halo forms, scanner maintenance) N/A Teaching and Learning Department Department of Technology Area Superintendents Teaching and Learning Director of Instructional Technology Professional Learning Trainers Teaching and Learning Director of Instructional Technology Establish software/hardware advisory committee or clearinghouse to streamline District uses the locally developed observation tool as a part of the teacher observations Reduce the number of disparate software applications that are not aligned with the curriculum Principal Feedback Local Funds: $20,000 Teacher Lesson Plans with embedded technology resources Local Software Inventory N/A Hardware Inventory Teaching & Learning Chief Operations Officer Director of Technology Clayton County Public Schools

20 technology purchases by all departments and schools GOAL 3: INSTRUCTIONAL Work with the Professional Learning Department to develop a rigorous professional learning training model for technology integration and support for teaching and learning that aligns with local, state, and national standards. Strategies Benchmark Evaluation Method Funding Source/Amount Person Responsible Develop a researchbased training model for instructional technology courses. The Framework for Instructional Technology for Learning (FIT4 Learning) Align all technology courses with local, state, and national standards All instructional courses will fall into one of the categories: Instructional, Administrative, Technical, Leadership All technology courses will follow the FIT4 Learning Framework Course Evaluations Technology Integration Tool Course Evaluations GACE Competency Report for CCPS Teachers Classroom Observations N/A N/A Department of Instructional Technology Department of Professional Learning Teaching and Learning Teaching and Learning Director of Instructional Technology Department of Professional Learning Clayton County Public Schools

21 Administrative Uses of Technology GOAL 4: ADMINISTRATIVE Update the administrative computers and applications for schools and central office staff and provide in-house training for technical staff to support system readiness Strategies Benchmark Evaluation Method Funding Source/Amount Person Responsible Replace the computers that are used by administrative staff for job performance Increased number of updated administrative computers Annual Technology Inventory Tool 2012:$250, :$250, :$250,000 Local Funds:$250,000 each year. Director of Technology Purchase and install updated administrative software for key staff members : Integrated Core System Enhancements or Replacement Investigate and propose technical disaster recovery strategies; enterprise solutions for reducing paper processes; and personnel cost/needs analysis Based upon each approved requirements document, all tasks/ deliverables are completed Proposal and Implementation Plan for System Readiness to address: Disaster Recovery, and Paper Reduction Process, Project Requirements Document Approved/Completed Test Requirements 2012:$500,000 Core System Enhancements/Replacement 2013:$500,000 Core System Enhancements/Replacement 2014:$500,000 Core System Enhancement/Replacement Director of Technology Local/SPLOST/RT3: $1.5 million Review of the Proposals N/A Director of Technology Clayton County Public Schools

22 and Personnel Needs Analysis Implementation of a New building/site disaster recovery site in for disaster recovery the district to support vital data resources and technology Develop an enterprise data warehouse Consolidate number of printers used by implementing workgroup multifunctional printers Central repository of data from many sources All schools will have one printer per every 100 students Disaster Recovery Site Implementation Plan Site statistical reports Audits Tech Inventory Tool 2012: $4 million SPLOST: $4 million SPLOST/Local: $150,000 SPLOST Local School Funding Director of Technology Chief Operations Officer Director of Technology Director of Technology Clayton County Public Schools

23 Parent and Community Uses of Technology GOAL 5: Parent and Community Utilize technology to develop and implement a plan to ensure clear, concise, and accurate communication within the school system and throughout the community. We will also use technology to engage parents in the guidance and education of students. Strategies Benchmark Evaluation Method Funding Source/Amount Person Responsible Redesign district website to provide a more intuitive repository for stakeholder access to district resources and real-time information Develop and promote face-to-face and online technology learning opportunities for parents and community members Increase community access to online resources Increase the number of student, parents, and community members technology learning experiences Site Statistics Report Parent Survey Student Survey Teacher Survey Parent Survey Student Survey SPLOST Local Funding Local Funding Director of Technology Chief Operations Officer Communications Department Director of Instructional Technology/Professional Learning Director of Technology Communications Department Department of Federal Programs Clayton County Public Schools

24 System Readiness and Support GOAL 7: Use E-Rate Funding to continuously upgrade and provide support for user systems and district-wide needs. Strategies Benchmark Evaluation Method Funding Source/Amount Person Responsible Maintain services referenced in the E-Rate Funding Chart below. E-Rate Application and Audit Report reflects successful technology implementations for the district E-Rate Application and Audit Report 2012: $1,408, : $1,408, : $1,408, Projected E-Rate Reimbursement at 88% Director of Technology Wireless N technology implementation to enhance instructional wireless bandwidth. Increased bandwidth for all wireless devices Annual technology inventory tool 2013/2014:$6,000,000 projected 89% E-Rate, 11% SPLOST Director of Technology Wired network infrastructure implementation to enhance instructional wired bandwidth and Increased bandwidth; high availability of network resources Annual technology inventory tool Contingent upon E- Rate approval and based on current district E-Rate funding level 2013/2014: Director of Technology $15,000,000 projected 89% E-Rate, 11% SPLOST Clayton County Public Schools

25 availability. Upgrade Voice Communications Infrastructure Provide cost effective and efficient telecommunications??? Contingent upon E- Rate approval and based on current district E-Rate funding level 2013/2014: 1,000,000 projected 89% E-Rate, 11% SPLOST Facilities Maintenance Contingent upon E- Rate approval and based on current district E-Rate funding level Projected E-Rate Funding Service Total Cost E-rate Funding District Expense Local Telephone Service $256, $225, $30, Wide Area Network $693, $610, $83, Web Hosting $63, $56, $7, Long Distance $16, $14, $1, Cellular - Verizon $277, $244, $33, Maintenance $53, $47, $6, Internet Access $87, $76, $10, TOTALS $1,408, $1,239, $169, Clayton County Public Schools

26 Projected E-Rate Funding Service Total Cost E-rate Funding District Expense Local Telephone Service $256, $225, $30, Wide Area Network $693, $610, $83, Web Hosting $63, $56, $7, Long Distance $16, $14, $1, Cellular - Verizon $277, $244, $33, Maintenance $53, $47, $6, Internet Access $87, $76, $10, TOTALS $1,408, $1,239, $169, Projected E-Rate Funding Service Total Cost E-rate Funding District Expense Local Telephone Service $256, $225, $30, Wide Area Network $693, $610, $83, Web Hosting $63, $56, $7, Long Distance $16, $14, $1, Cellular - Verizon $277, $244, $33, Maintenance $53, $47, $6, Internet Access $87, $76, $10, TOTALS $1,408, $1,239, $169, Clayton County Public Schools

27 Clayton County Public Schools

28 Section III: Communication & Marketing

29 III. Communication and Marketing Describe strategies to share system progress, disseminate evaluation results, encourage broad stakeholder involvement, and market the role technology can have in helping students achieve in innovative ways. How are we sharing what we are doing? How can we show that the way we are sharing is meeting our needs? How are we encouraging more people to be actively involved with the system? Clayton County Public Schools Strategic Action Team recently developed a comprehensive plan with the following Performance Objectives and Goals for communication: PEFORMANCE OBJECTIVES: Increase Access to Accurate and Timely Information Enhance Management System of Communication in Crisis Situations Improve Consultation and Training in Communication and Community Relations Expand Community Involvement Enhance Two-Way Communication Among all Stakeholders Increase Communication Between The School, Parents, And Community Promote Parenting Skills Create a Welcoming Environment Develop Organizational Structures And Processes Support Student, Family, And Community Needs To meet those objectives, the district currently implements the following strategies: Communicates specific social and academic student needs and expectations. Shares opinions about participation in support efforts for schools Creates guidelines for schools and departments to share good news. Trains the communication contact person in the guidelines. Promotes good news on Channel 24. Organizes recognition and award events. Establishes committee to review policies and practices that may present barriers for volunteers and visitors. Selects school staff for participation in customer service training. Conducts ongoing evaluations of customer perception.provide accurate and best methods of communicating with schools. Designs parent surveys, collect contact data, determine best methods of contact. Designs publications and posters about volunteer opportunities for parents. 29

30 Establishes training for front office to ensure consistent and routine maintenance of student information. The Department of Technology will support these efforts by promoting the use of , our district website, school and community newsletters, and the cable television show (CCS Today and) to share system progress and encourage stakeholder involvement. Other specific strategies are: 1. Enhance our web presence by developing an interactive web portal for students, teachers, parents, and community members that highlights system successes and best practices 2. Support the use of School Messenger as the internal one-to-many messenger system 3. Establish showcase forum for teacher and student success: a. Power Up 4Learning (Regional Tech Fair) 30

31 Section IV: Professional Development 31

32 IV. Professional Development Describe how the local educational agency will provide professional development and ensure that specific funds like E Rate and other sources are spent on scientifically and/or evidence based practices in relation to the purchase of technology and technology tools. Clayton County Public Schools plans to provide a rigorous, high-quality, and research-based professional development program that prepares and supports educators in the effective integration of technology into the standards-based classroom by aligning all instructional technology courses to local, state, and national standards. In the previous technology plan, the professional development technology focus was to provide courses that were categorized into certification, managerial, skills, and instructional integration (2006). In an effort to progressively prepare educators and learners for the for the 21 st century classroom, the instructional technology professional development programwill focus on courses and workshops that: Model the development of standards-based curriculum unit and lesson plans through tightly aligned technology integration strategies and best practices. Provide teachers with 21 st century skills, knowledge, and methodologies for effective integrating technology as a tool to support curriculum, instruction, and assessment in all content areas. Give teachers the tools to create and enhance activities with digital content/resources to actively engage all learners (differentiated instruction). Increase the knowledge base and technical aptitude of all educators. In order to accomplish these goals all courses, workshops, online classes, virtual seminars, and video or digital learning resources will align with the system goals. With a staff of two Digital Classroom Support Specialists and five Professional Learning Trainers, learning opportunities will fall into the proposed FIT4 Learning Framework: 32

33 These are courses that support Teaching and Learning for all academic subject areas (providing strategies for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment) These These courses provide training on the applications that support the administrative functions of learners. Instructional Administrative F r a m e w o r k f o r In s t r u c t io n a l T e c h n o l o g y f o r L e a r n in g ( F IT 4 L e a r n in g ) Technical These courses increase knowledge base and technical aptitude of learners. Leadership These course offerings provide training to administrators and district leaders on leading change with technology. The categories and sample courses are defined below: Instructional: These hese are courses that support Teaching and Learning for all academic subject areas (providing providing strategies for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment) Examples of these courses are: 21st Century Digital Classroom Integration, Thinkfinity, Easiteach, Using Clickers in the Classroom Administrative: These hese courses provide training on the applications that support the administrative functions of learners. Examples are: Student Information Application training, SmartWebGradebook, ThinkGate Technical: These hese course increase knowledge base and technical aptitude of learners. Examples are: Microsoft Office Suite, A+ Certification training, Digital Classroom Equipment Orientation Clayton County Public Schools

34 Leadership: These course offerings provide training to administrators and district leaders on leading change with technology. Examples are: Understanding the NETS for Administrators, Software Selection Training, Monitoring/Assessing the Standards-Based 21 st Century Classroom 21 st Century Classroom Orientation 21 st st Century Classroom: Easiteach 21 st Century Classroom: Interwrite 21 st Century Digital Classroom Orientation Becoming a Digital Classroom Jedi Becoming One with ipods Beginning Photoshop in the Classroom Computer Basics Computer Basics- Community Class Conflict Resolution ebooks: How to Create and Publish a Children s ebook Film Making: Moving Creative Writers to Film Production Intel Teach to the Future Essentials Interviewing Skills Community Introduction to Microsoft Excel Introduction to Microsoft Powerpoint Introduction to Microsoft Word Keyboarding Laptop Distribution Learning Café Integrating Social Studies and Science with Learning Stations Monday Messenger Microsoft Office Suite Paraprofessional Training Photoshop Elements Podcasting: Create and Produce and Online Radio Show Publisher in the Classroom PowerPoint Interactive Assessments, Games and Presentations Stop Motion Animation: Bring Dolls and Lego Characters to Life! TurningPoint with PowerPoint/TurningPoint Anywhere (Part 1 and 2) Using SchoolDesk to Create Teacher Web Pages Using the ipod Touch to Promote Student Engagement Web 2.0 Tools Webpage Creations What s New with MS Office 2010 and Windows 7 Word Processing Workplace Skills: Dealing with Difficult People Workplace Skills: Delivering Exceptional Customer Service Workplace Skills: Diversity and Sensitivity in the Workplace Workplace Skills: Effective Oral and Written Communication (Part 1 and 2) Workplace Skills: Fundamentals of Supervision (Part 1 and 2) 34

35 Workplace Skills: Managers and Supervisors Academy (Part 1 and 2) Workplace Skills: Managing Emotions Under Pressure Workplace Skills: Time Management Workplace Skills: Working as a Team Workplace Skills: Conducting Quality Performance Evaluations Workplace Skills: Effective Documentation / Progressive Discipline for Supervisors Workplace Skills: General Legal Issue for Managers and Supervisors Funding for technology equipment, software, and training comes from a variety of sources including E- Rate, SPLOST, Title program funding, and local funds. Funding decisions for future years will be made by the ongoing Technology Planning Committee, Clayton County s senior leadership and Board of Education. Initiatives may be modified in future years based upon funding allocations. 35

36 Section V: 8 th Grade Technology Literacy 36

37 V. 8 th Grade Technology Literacy A description of how the LEA is addressing the 8th grade technology literacy by clearly outlining evidence of the tools and strategies defining technology literacy. Evidence of the tools and strategies the LEA is implementing to ensure that all students are technologically literate by the end of 8 th grade. An estimation of the students school-based experiences with developing technology skills and technology literacy at all grade levels. 8 th Grade Technology Literacy Assessment 2012 Number of 8 th graders Number Assessed Number of students who achieved mastery Percentage *Results calculated every December 4,634 3, % Clayton County Public Schools is addressing 8 th grade technology literacy by creatively implementing the following strategies: N/A Implement mandatory 5-8 grade tech literacy strategies Create National Education Technology Standards(NETS) campaign for all employees Assess all middle school students on the 8 th grade TLA Extend the strategies from year 2 Build an online course for teachers that targets aggressive technology integration for all subject areas Build and include tech integration resources in the EasiTeach repository for teachers 37

38 Appendices 38

39 Appendix A CIPA Compliance Clayton County Public Schools is committed to providing opportunities for students and staff to participate in learning experiences via various electronic technologies with the belief that all students and staff members must adhere to a set of standards relating to the appropriate and ethical use of technology. It is the policy of Clayton County Public Schools to: (a) prevent user access over its computer network to, or transmission of, inappropriate material via internet, electronic mail, or other forms of direct electronic communications; (b) prevent unauthorized access and other unlawful online activity; (c) prevent unauthorized online disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal identification of minors; and (d) comply with the Children Internet Protection Act [Pub. L. No and 47 USC 254(h)]. Clayton County Public Schools has Websense and SchoolDesk to help schools comply with CIPA

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