Blackstone Valley Prep, a Rhode Island Mayoral Academy Technology Plan Amended/Revised January 2012 for Plan Period 1/2012 6/2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction/Executive Summary... 3 Mission... 4 Goal(s)... 4 Technology Vision for BVP... 5 Technology Planning Process... 6 Technology Plan Objectives and Strategies... 7-8 Objectives... 7 Strategies... 8 Information Technology Assessment... 9 Current Program Status... 9 Needs Assessment... 9 Inventory of Techological, Communications and Service Needs... 10 Projected Budget and Schedule... 11 Evaluation Criteria... 11 2
INTRODUCTION/EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Blackstone Valley Prep, a Rhode Island Mayoral Academy (BVP) submits this Technology Plan as a critical component of our mission to prepare every Scholar for success in college and the world beyond and our vision of a day when all children in Rhode Island are bound for college success and demographics no longer determine a Scholar s educational, professional, or personal future. BVP will provide technology access for the BVP school community, and for its Scholars. This will permit a comprehensive implementation of BVP s curriculum and integration of Rhode Island s Common Core Standards that allows for every Scholar a rigorous, nurturing and supportive academic environment. Additionally, the BVP Technology Plan integrally supports BVP s Core Design which includes the following elements: Academic Rigor, Data-driven Decision-making, Exemplary Teachers, Longer School Day and Year and a Strong School Culture. This Technology Plan will also take into consideration, and will encumber, the rapid and aggressive growth trajectory in which BVP is currently engaged. 3
MISSION As stated in the Introduction/Executive Summary, Blackstone Valley Prep s mission to prepare every Scholar for success in college and the world beyond. Our official motto is Today we learn. Tomorrow we lead. GOAL(S) To achieve the mission, BVP s approach is an unwavering belief in the potential of every Scholar to learn and grow. Consequently, we believe every Scholar deserves a rigorous, nurturing and supportive academic environment that provides a rich and well-rounded education. Well-rounded means that BVP focuses on a solid academic foundation, one that includes art, music, and other areas too often cut out of school programs today. Our belief leads us to hold high expectations for ourselves as well as our Scholars we do whatever it takes to help our Scholars succeed in growing and learning. Our program draws on school design, program, and practices of the best high-expectations schools that have come before us. Our design choices are intentional and we will continue to challenge ourselves to be better. To achieve this end we will integrate technology as a delivery system and as a tool in the teaching and learning environment to extend curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices while encouraging applied learning. With this being set forth, our goals are: That each Scholar can meet our high expectations, challenging them academically while nurturing and supporting their growing skills, knowledge and confidence. That student achievement measures effectiveness and BVP assess and use data often to focus our professional development and teacher planning time on improving results. That each Scholar employs technology thoughtfully to enhance their academic experience and to understand the strengths and weaknesses of various technological tools and mediums. 4
TECHNOLOGY VISION FOR BVP In order to fulfill the mission and achieve the goals of BVP, it is paramount that BVP provide regular and frequent access to up-to-date technological information, training and tools, and fully integrate technology into the day-to-day curriculum. BVP is an aggressively growing network of charter schools, adding one grade level to each currently existing school for the next 2 years, then, subsequently adding 2 new schools (a middle and high school) and growing those campuses to full matriculation. At fullgrowth, BVP will have a network of schools comprised of 2 elementary schools, 2 middle schools and 1 high school. For the purpose of this Technology Plan term of 3 years, BVP s growth model resembles the following: ES1 (Elementary School 1) ES2 (Elementary School 2) MS1 (Middle School 1) 2011-2012 2012-2013 Grade Spans Grade Spans Currently K-2 K-3 Adding 3 rd Grade Currently Kindergarten K-1 Adding 1 st Grade Currently 5-6 5-7 Adding 7 th Grade 2013-2014 Grade Spans K-4 Adding 4 th Grade K-2 Adding 2 nd Grade 5-8 Adding 8 th Grade With the expansion of grade levels there will be an additional eighty-one (81) Scholars added per grade level, per school. Therefore, BVP is not only integrating technology as part of its curricular plan, but also is in need of keeping up with the aggressive rate of expansion. BVP Leadership envisions that all BVP physical locations are technologically integrated and equipped with full wireless systems which support access to shared servers, instructional software, online resources, and high-speed internet access for all faculty, staff, and Scholars. Specifically related to Teaching and Learning, Scholars, beginning at 3 rd grade, would have access to mobile labs for their classrooms equipped with either laptops or tablets. Teachers will have laptops or tablets and smart phones for instructional use and for tools to communicate regularly with families in addition to hosted web portals for scholar and family communications. Classrooms will be outfitted with ceiling mounted LCD projectors and document cameras. Additionally, an FM auditory system for one classroom, per grade level, will be provided for Scholars with auditory/cognitive impairments. Multi-purpose rooms that are used for school-wide events, professional development, family and public engagement, et cetera, are realized and provided with ceiling mounted LCD projectors, large scale projection screens and sound and lighting equipment for multi-media presentations. Multi-purpose rooms are truly functional in their name-sake; they allow for the necessary space for the engagement and interaction of the BVP Team and Family, which is essential to the BVP culture. The technology-enhanced learning environment envisioned in this plan is designed to be a powerful vehicle in aiding BVP in accomplishing its organizational mission. Technology is also important as a means of changing teaching and learning in order to provide students with the 21 st Century skills needed to be successful. The technology-based integration will expand the opportunities available to BVP Scholars to interact with, to understand, and to lead tomorrow. 5
TECHNOLOGY PLANNING PROCESS BVP s Technology Plan is designed to equip teachers, staff and Scholars with the technological and communication resources necessary to ensure professional, academic, and community success. The plan is shaped by three conditions unique to BVP and its goal to ensure the most efficient and effective use of funds while enhancing and increasing student achievement. These conditions include: 1. Structured Growth: BVP s strategic plan of defined network growth, as clearly laid-out in the BVP Strategic Plan, will see a growth of 60 staff from 70 to 130, and 486 Scholars from 500 to 986, through the 2013-14 school year. The technology needs will obviously expand accordingly. 2. Communication is Essential: BVP has a strong commitment to connect teachers, staff and families to ensure frequent communication to provide a strong support network for BVP Scholars. Additionally, the smooth vehicle of communication via technology is needed between colleagues as they design, refine, and prepare an interdisciplinary curriculum with continuous high levels of family involvement. 3. Data Driven Decision Making: BVP is deeply committed to rigorously analyzing data to improve student outcomes. BVP s technology infrastructure must allow for frequent access to a wide variety of data including interim formal and informal assessments, current classroom grades, behavior, family information, previous academic performance, quality of instruction, and confidential special educational needs. Data gathered by technological equipment and services is, and will be, used by teachers and staff to improve the quality of education offered to each individual Scholar at BVP. It will also be used by the Board of Directors of Black Stone Valley Prep, A Rhode Island Mayoral Academy (the Board) and Rhode Island Mayoral Academies (RIMA) to continue to strive, improve upon, and track the qualitative and quantitative measures of school progress. This element is of extreme importance to the longevity of the school because as a charter school, the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) conducts annual Performance Reviews of each charter school in the state. Accountability of student achievement is a pivotal factor in the renewal of a charter school s charter. Along with the three aforementioned conditions, coupled with the needs of BVP Scholars, BVP s organizational goals shaped the design of the Technology Plan. The plan requires a robust wireless system throughout every BVP network facility, high-speed data connections at each BVP site, an extensive deployment of computers throughout the schools that include mobile lap-top assemblies to serve all Scholars in critical core subject classes, a hearty system of cameras and video equipment to support instructional coaching and improvement, and projectors and document projectors in each classroom to enhance instruction and maximize Scholars exposure to technology. BVP works in tandem with RIMA to develop the annual E-Rate application and produce the necessary Request for Proposals (RFP). E-Rate funding is sought in order to aid BVP in the deferment of E-Rate eligible costs from the school budget. 6
TECHNOLOGY PLAN OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES OBJECTIVES BVP s Technology Plan and programs, for the entire network of schools, were developed with the following premises: Scholars will perform at or above grade level as measured by state and national standardized assessments, at the end of each academic school year. Scholars will enter, succeed in, and graduate from colleges/universities and become positive influences in their communities. Scholars and teachers will possess a positive relationship with technology and its applications. Scholars and teachers will view technology as a positive tool and have confidence in its uses. Scholars and teachers will access appropriate resources made available through the internet and relevant software applications. Scholars and teachers will have access to the most reliable, up to data technologies that have widespread deployment in schools and the civic and commercial sectors. Technology is and will continue to be embedded in core classroom instruction and is not a dedicated course at the elementary school levels. Technology will be offered as a dedicated course beginning at the middle school levels. Technology is used for blended learning. Technology is and will continue to be used with educational software for remediation work that can be executed throughout the summer and during Saturday school Opportunity Days. Technology will be available for on-line courses for faculty, staff and Scholars. Technology is and will continue to be used for behavior and instructional interventions in alignment with BVP s PRIDE system. (Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Discipline, Enthusiasm) Technology is and will continue to be used for family engagement through the use of on-line surveys, on-line lottery applications, and family portals to access relevant Scholar information. Technology will be used for family support with adult technology literacy courses. Technology will be used to explore the efficacy of flipped classrooms (students do homework in the classroom with a coach after watching lessons on video at home with key points of the unit available). Technology is and will continue to be used as a tool to recruit BVP faculty and staff. 7
STRATEGIES To meet the objectives enumerated in the Technology Plan, BVP s Operations, Technology, and Leadership teams will endeavor to: Research and implement age-appropriate, high quality instructional software that allows students to work independently, adapts to meet individual needs, and generates reports to track individual students progress according to school and state academic progress measures. Provide Scholars with lap-top cart assemblies, equipped with wireless internet capability and multi-media capacity to accommodate the instructional software implementation. Provide each classroom with wireless network access to facilitate ease of access for the Scholars and teachers alike. Provide each classroom with at least 2 computers (desk, laptop, or tablet), equipped with wireless internet capability and multimedia capacity to accommodate the instructional software implementation. Research and implement high-quality, scientifically researched professional development software and on-line resources to improve the quality of instruction. Provide each faculty and staff member with a smart phone so that all are accessible beyond the instructional day to communicate with Scholars, families, and colleagues. Provide each teacher with a laptop computer that has multimedia capacity and internet connectivity to accommodate professional development and data and instructional tools. Provide wireless capabilities within the teachers laptops to access the internet flexibly and provide display equipment such as LCD projectors to turn the laptop into a vibrant instructional tool (e.g. project images, streaming video stories, streaming audio stories, et cetera ) Conduct frequent surveys on the implementation of instructional software and online tools. Conduct frequent surveys on the implementation of tools, equipment, access, and capabilities. Conduct frequent assessments of student performance. Engage in site visits of other high-performing schools (charter and school district) to compare scope of instructional tools. Provide direct instruction in computing through a multi-tiered approach: o Scholars will use the computer with self-guided software applications. o Scholars will learn to touch-type to publish their written assignments as part of the ELA curriculum. o Scholars (middle school) will participate in an enrichment class dedicated to technology and computing as part of the required course curriculum. During an annual three (3) week summer professional development and training period, develop teachers use of technological tools, software, and infrastructure use, including all classroom and school wide resources. Provide an annual professional development stipend to pursue curriculum planning opportunities. 8
Additionally, BVP has selected Follet Software s Aspen X2 as its Student Information System (SIS). This system, which is currently under implementation, and is set to go-live in all three schools in March, will be home to the district s student records, contact information, and enrollment history. In addition to facilitating all state and local reporting requirements, the SIS will also be the district s primary source for attendance records, will integrate a district-wide grade book for teachers, will track individual student s assessment data on student, local, and internal assessments, and will manage our school s discipline system. BVP is also working to build capacity in implementing the state-wide IMS system, which will further align curriculum, instruction, and data use across all content areas, and in particular, RTI tracking and progress management. Together with the school s Aspen SIS, these systems will enable our schools to effectively track, report, and analyze data in a more efficient and accurate way to drive instruction and boost student achievement. 9
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT CURRENT PROGRAM STATUS BVP is currently housed between two (2) physical campuses secured through facility support provided by RIMA, with one campus located at 291 Broad Street and the other at 7 Fatima Drive, both in Cumberland, Rhode Island. Currently 291 Broad Street houses Elementary School One (ES1) while also incubating Elementary School Two (ES2) and 7 Fatima Drive houses Middle School One (MS1). Over the next two (2) academic years encompassed in this plan (2012-13 and 2013-14), BVP will add two (2) additional physical campuses to support the scholar growth outlined in our strategic plan. Both existing campuses are connected through a wide area network (WAN) and have robust high-speed internet connectivity, shared file and resource servers, full wireless systems to support faculty, staff, and Scholars, and core classrooms and multi-purpose rooms equipped with ceiling mounted LCD projectors, document cameras, and projection screens. Additionally all faculty and staff are supplied with laptop computers or tablets, and smart phones. NEEDS ASSESSMENT BVP s continued structured growth, coupled with our commitment to effectively use technology to help achieve high Scholar outcomes requires a continuous investment in our technological capacity both inside and outside the classroom. Through continued facility support provided by RIMA and use of the Universal Service Administrative Company s E-Rate program, BVP will continue to ensure that technology is employed effectively throughout our schools. These investments will continue to seamlessly connect faculty, staff, Scholars, and families to ensure a well-rounded education. Further, they will improve Scholar outcomes and school culture through continued high quality data gathering, management, and rigorous analysis with easy, secure access both on-site and from remote locations. The following table outlines BVP s facility strategy to accommodate increased Scholar enrollment and the necessary technological acquisitions: ES1 (Elementary School 1) ES2 (Elementary School 2) MS1 (Middle School 1) Early Learning Center 2011-2012 Facility Location K-2 291 Broad Street 9 Core homerooms Kindergarten 291 Broad Street 3 Core homerooms 5-6 7 Fatima Dive 8 Core homerooms 2012-2013 Facility Location K-3 291 Broad Street 12 Core homerooms K-1 7 Fatima Drive 6 Core homerooms 5-7 TBD1 11 Core homerooms New tech throughout 2013-2014 Facility Location 1-4 291 Broad Street 12 Core homerooms K-2 TBD1 9 Core homerooms 5-8 TBD2 14 Core homerooms New tech throughout ES1 Kindergarten 7 Fatima Drive 3 Core homerooms 10
INVENTORY OF TECHOLOGICAL, COMMUNICATIONS, AND SERVICE NEEDS PLANNING PROCESS AND FUTURE NEEDS ASSESSMENT At the end of each school year BVP staff will assess the impact of current technology in order to: 1. Evaluate the impact of implemented technology; 2. Determine the quality and scope of our implementation; 3. Assess progress towards BVP s stated goals, and 4. Identify needs for the upcoming year and incoming Scholars. PREDICTED TECHNOLOGY INVENTORY AND BUDGET BY CATEGORY Cost Existing 2012-13 Cost 2013-14 Cost Computers Staff laptops $1,000.00 70 30 $30,000.00 30 $30,000.00 Student laptops $750.00 60 60 $45,000.00 60 $45,000.00 Peripheral Equipment Copier Leases $28,000.00 7 10 $40,000.00 14 $56,000.00 Laptop carts $1,800.00 2 2 $3,600.00 2 $3,600.00 Projection devices $1,475.00 24 14 $20,650.00 16 $23,600.00 Document cameras $450.00 24 14 $6,300.00 16 $7,200.00 Digital cameras $250.00 2 2 $500.00 2 $500.00 Video cameras $750.00 1 2 $1,500.00 1 $750.00 FM System $1,400.00 0 8 $11,200.00 3 $4,200.00 Clickers $3,000.00 0 2 $6,000.00 2 $6,000.00 Software Microsoft Office $100.00 130 90 $9,000.00 90 $9,000.00 Instructional $100.00 60 60 $6,000.00 60 $6,000.00 SIS $10,000.00 $10,000.00 $12,000.00 Multimedia/graphics $100.00 5 5 $500.00 5 $500.00 Network (servers) $2,000.00 2 1 $2,000.00 1 $2,000.00 Network (email exchange) $2,000.00 0 0 $0.00 1 $2,000.00 Network Equipment File server $8,500.00 2 1 $8,500.00 1 $8,500.00 Server rack $850.00 2 1 $850.00 1 $850.00 48 Port managed switch $850.00 2 1 $850.00 1 $850.00 Rack mounted UPS $750.00 2 1 $750.00 1 $750.00 Router/wireless access $200.00 10 5 $1,000.00 8 $1,600.00 Telecomm Equipment and Services Voicemail system $12,000.00 1 0 $0.00 1 $12,000.00 Internet service $9,000.00 1 $13,500.00 1 $18,000.00 Telephones $100.00 20 0 $0.00 25 $2,500.00 Telephone Service $3,600.00 2 3 $10,800.00 4 $14,400.00 Smart phones $200.00 70 30 $6,000.00 30 $6,000.00 Smart phone service $50,400.00 70 100 $72,000.00 120 $93,600.00 Subtotal Annual Costs $306,500.00 $367,400.00 11
PROJECTED BUDGET AND SCHEDULE The overall goal of this plan is to design and implement technology that will support and improve teaching and learning, while preparing all Scholars for college with the necessary information technology skills. To make this possible BVP will seek support from the E-Rate program. The following table summarizes projected yearly technology expenditures: 2012-13 2013-14 Computers $75,000.00 $75,000.00 Peripheral Devices/Equipment $89,750.00 $101,850.00 Software $27,500.00 $31,500.00 Network Equipment $11,950.00 $12,550.00 Telecomm Equipment and Services $102,300.00 $146,500.00 Network Support Consulting $28,000.00 $45,000.00 Professional Development $5,000.00 $7,500.00 Sub Total $339,500.00 $419,900.00 PLAN TOTAL $759,400.00 EVALUATION CRITERIA As part of the annual needs and assessment and planning process, BVP will conduct an annual evaluation of the network technology plan. The team responsible for monitoring the technology program consists of the Executive Director, the Director of Operations, Heads of School, and a Lead Teacher Technology Committee. The Executive Director reports directly to the Board of Directors, which approves the annual school budget, including all technology expenditures. As a small but growing network of schools, BVP enjoys the ability to respond to emerging technology needs and user feedback quickly. Annual evaluation will consist of the following: A detailed inventory of all equipment, services, and capabilities actually implemented at each school; A comparison between actual implantation and the preceding Objectives and Strategies; A detailed review of student achievement results and teacher performance evaluations; A detailed review of faculty, staff, Scholar, and family surveys related to technology A review of surveys conducted with similar schools and their technology program and A detailed review of projected versus actual expenses. Based on the evaluation process, the team will make necessary changes and adaptations to the Technology Plan to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness of technological and communication resources at BVP. 12