2013-2016 Three Year District Technology Plan Pasco School District #1 July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2016
Development History August 2012 November 2012 December 2012 December 2012 February 2013 March 2013 April 2013 Current technology plan review and conceptualize 2013-2016 plan Technology standards review and update Professional development review First draft Review (standards and equipment) Review (professional development) Final Draft, Board approval, and submit to OSPI 1
Worksheet Vision Statement Introduction The following goals and vision statement are from Pasco School District s Strategic Plan, a document prepared through a process involving over 150 community members, staff, and students. The District Strategic Plan was a guiding document in updating the District Technology Plan. Pasco School District is committed to implementing solid technology solutions and platforms to support all students and staff in accomplishing the district s vision and goals within its strategic plan. Vision Statement Putting students first to make learning last a lifetime. Celebrating academics, diversity, and innovation. Goals Goal One: Teaching and Learning Employ effective research-based strategies that meet state learning standards and hold employees and students accountable to high expectations. Goal Two: Supportive Environment Cultivate relationships among all stakeholders to encourage respect, value diversity and ensure a learning environment where all students excel. Goal Three: Collaboration Ignite and intensify meaningful partnerships that focus on learning and support student achievement. Goal Four: Stewardship of Resources Align and deploy the financial, physical and technological assets necessary to support system-wide improvement to advance student achievement. 2
Worksheet E-rate Priority 1 Network & Telecommunications Plan E-rate Priority 1 Pasco School District will work towards its goal of increased system reliability and access to technology resources by planning and implementing a process to upgrade and expand the district s technology infrastructure. Voice, Data & Video The district will annually request E-Rate support for the following services: high speed internet, high speed wide area fiber network, cellular telephone, telephone (including PRI, DID, POTS and local and long distance), and web hosting. Continue to convert the district telephony system into an end-to-end VoIP solution and virtualize management systems. Maintain sufficient Internet bandwidth to allow fast and efficient access of online resources. Spread the district s Internet traffic throughout its multiple data centers, reducing bottlenecks and diversifying load. Maintain a flexible and resilient internal fiber network allowing fast and efficient distribution of resources and communications between all district sites. Monitor usage and increase capacity as needed. As usage increases, conduct a cost-benefit analysis of dark and lit fiber solutions. Maintain cellular and land-line telephone services, which promote communication between staff, students, and parents. Maintain a user-friendly web-hosting solution that allows district staff to easily communicate information to students, parents, and the broader community. The district will monitor existing and new eligible services to ensure the most cost effective and productive solutions are being used to assist the district in meeting its strategic goals. How will these services support your district s learning goals? The services above will ensure that staff and students have access to reliable telecommunication systems and capabilities with adequate speed, capacities, and performance in support of curricular needs. The services will allow for more instantaneous and efficient access to information in the educational setting and encourage more communication between staff, students, and parents. The services will enhance students educational experience and increase their opportunities for academic achievement. 3
Worksheet E-rate Priority 2 Network & Telecommunications Plan E-rate Priority 2 Provide a modern and reliable network by maintaining, upgrading, replacing, and supporting Pasco School District s network infrastructure at a standard level, to include data pathways, hubs, routers, switches, wireless access points, servers, uninterruptable power supplies, and management systems and software. Internal Connections Update and maintain the district s network infrastructure to support the increased use of networked devices, reduce latency and connection issues, and maximize the use of information systems and resources. The district network will be upgraded to the following standards: Upgrade or replace existing Wireless LAN s to provide high density/performance coverage to support multiple mobile devices and platforms simultaneously in a single classroom or common area. Upgrade switching infrastructure to 1G to the desktop and high density PoE. Upgrade fiber backbone to 10G from Main Data Closets to the Intermediate Data Closets, including connectors and panels. Increase to 40G backbone in the data centers. Upgrade to CAT6 cabling where appropriate. Replace uninterruptable power supplies, where appropriate, to support switch upgrades. In order to protect the district s investment, and achieve maximum availability, basic maintenance technical support services will be maintained on all eligible district equipment and services. Maintenance will consist of phone, email, and remote support, as well as software patches and updates. How will these services support your district s learning goals? Providing a reliable and stable network ensures that staff and students have access to telecommunications systems and capabilities with adequate speed, capacities, and performance in support of curricular needs. The services will allow for more predictable and efficient access to information in the educational setting, helping to support, extend, and individualize learning opportunities for all students. The services will enhance students educational experience and increase their opportunities for academic achievement. 4
Worksheet Technology Needs Assessment (District Technology Standards) District Technology User Standards An increased emphasis has been put on maintaining a hardware replacement cycle and removing old, outdated technology from the district s inventory. As technology advances, users expectations for system performance change, as does the district s technology standards. Technology should enhance, not inhibit, learning and productivity. District Standards for Technology & Maintenance Network Infrastructure 10G fiber internal building backbone, gigabit Ethernet to desktop, 802.11n high density wireless Servers dependent upon hosted application. Virtualized when possible. Telephone Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Computing PC-Core2 3.1GHZ with 4G RAM and 120G Hard Drive Standard Software Microsoft Windows 7 Microsoft Office 2010 Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Explorer Forefront Antivirus Mozilla Firefox GIMP IrfanView Teacher Workstations may include: SMART Board software SMART Board Notebook Epson Interactive Investigations *In addition, miscellaneous specialized software packages are used throughout the district. Peripheral and Multimedia equipment wall mounted short-throw projector, document camera, desktop and network printer. Miscellaneous interactive tablet and boards. Infrastructure Software HyperV (VMware when necessary) Microsoft System Center Citrix 5
Worksheet Technology Needs Assessment (Maintenance & Tech Support) Equipment Plans Technology and network maintenance schedule. Complete transition to an end-toend VoIP telephony solution Complete a network refresh cycle, bringing all district equipment inline with current networking equipment standards (see standards on page 4) Begin the newly created peripheral equipment replacement cycle and maintain computer replacement cycle Continue the move to a virtualized server infrastructure and spread services between data centers to reduce latency and diversify load Conduct a cost effectiveness analysis of a document management platform implementation Continue leveraging Virtual Desktop Infrastructure How will these services support your district s learning goals? Timeline Maintenance and Technical Support The Information Systems Department has a staff of 14 individuals, including a Systems Engineer, Network Engineer, Programmer, Help Desk Technician, and 8 Workstation Technicians. The staff is constantly monitoring network equipment and devices and responding to help-ticket requests. It is the department s goal to have a median response and resolution time of less than 24 hours. In addition to district support personnel, the district maintains third party technical support contracts for equipment and services as an advanced, second line of support. Replacement/Refresh Cycles Teacher, administrator, and student lab machines are on a 5 year replacement cycle. Network equipment refresh is dependent upon need and technological advances, but generally occurs every 6-8 years. Peripheral equipment is replaced every 5-6 years (document camera, projector, printers, etc.). Server infrastructure is replaced every 3-5 years dependent upon whether systems are mission critical. Telephone handsets (VoIP) are replaced as needed. Cellular phones are replaced every 2-3 years dependent upon usage, vendor credits and warranties. Major operating system releases are thoroughly evaluated and not implemented until it has proven to function with the district s standard software and management systems. Operating system refresh typically takes place during the summer months. New versions and releases of standard district software are evaluated and typically implemented immediately dependent upon user impact (i.e. additional training for new interface or functions). Large releases are typically implemented in the summer months. Ensuring a well maintained, reliable network with maximum up-time is critical in offering staff and students access to telecommunication systems and capabilities in support of curricular activities. The services will allow for more predictable and efficient access to information in the educational setting, giving staff maximum opportunity to increase student achievement. 6
Worksheet Professional Development Equipment Plans & PD Strategy Pasco School District has established an Educational Technology Advisory Group (ETAG) that is charged with designing a course catalog of professional development focused on increasing technology proficiency and the use of technology to improve instruction. Identify technology skills embedded in the Common Core State Standards, create a pacing chart, and incorporate into professional development. Technology is not a subject, but a tool that can assist student learning in the core subject areas. Maintain technical proficiency of Information Systems staff by increasing collaboration, team mentality, and access to industry leading seminars and conventions. Timeline Pasco School District Strategic Plan action item 4.3.3 states that by 2014, the district will increase student and employee capacity in the uses of current technology. In the 2013-2014 school year, the district will offer a technology training catalog. Courses contained in the catalog will target both instructional and non-instructional staff and will be designed at varying degrees of skill level. Annually, send Information Systems department personnel to conferences such as Microsoft Management Summit and Cisco Live. How will these services support your district s learning goals? The district s greatest resource is its personnel. In order to fully utilize its technological assets, staff and students must be trained and comfortable in the use of both hardware and software. In the classroom, technology has proven to increase student engagement; the district s efforts will be focused around capitalizing on that engagement to increase student achievement. 7
Worksheet Technology Plan Review & Update Strategies for Review & Update Technology integration, training, and effectiveness are in a constant state of monitoring. However, Pasco School District will consider the following pieces of information in the review and update of its Technology Plan: Analyze work ticket data to determine response and resolution times, customer service levels, and cost of ownership for aging equipment. Evaluate staffing versus support call volume in order to determine appropriate support levels. Evaluate support areas for work ticket requests in order to identify training and professional development opportunities. Evaluate and monitor server, network, and information systems uptime to ensure users expectations are met. Evaluate attendance data for technology-related professional development opportunities in order to gauge interest and adjust professional development topics. Monitor student access to wired and open-wireless network to determine patterns of usage and the type of devices being used. Keep abreast of new technologies (hardware and software) in order to adjust minimum technology standards and procurement. Conduct staff perception surveys on student technology literacy and the use of technology for student-centered learning in order to adjust professional development and procurement. Review training session evaluations in order to adjust professional development course content and scope. Monitor student to computer ratios by school and grade-band, compare against State ratios to ensure positive trajectory. Compile usage data for: email accounts, network accounts, information systems, and electronically hosted curriculum resources (e.g. Safari Montage) to inform professional development, procurement, and bandwidth requirements. Monitor building bandwidth (internal and external) usage relative to student grade and population in order to ensure equitable distribution of technology resources and predict future bandwidth needs. Solicit student and staff feedback on new and existing technologies in order to guide procurement. Analyze student assessment performance relative to building technology levels and training in order to gauge the effectiveness of training sessions and technology integration. Person or Team Responsible Director of Information Systems will lead the Technology Plan evaluation in collaboration with the Educational Technology Advisory Group, the Director of Professional Development and Curriculum, and the Instructional Technology Coach. Timeline Monitoring and data collection happens throughout the year with greater focus toward the end of the school year. In the summer months, the data is reviewed and the Technology Plan is revised as necessary. 8