Park Community Charter School Kaukauna Area School District Information Technology Plan 2011 2014 (July 1, 2011 June 30, 2014) Park Community Charter School Information Technology Plan 2011-2014 Page 1
Executive Summary: Park Community Charter School (K-4) is an autonomous school in which teachers have the opportunity to fully utilize innovative teaching practices that include student centered instruction, inquiry based learning, and authentic community connections. Being aware of how to access and use information is critical for success in the classroom and throughout life and is seamlessly integrated into PCCS s curriculum. To make certain that our students have the information literacy skills they need to achieve their personal and academic goals is the focus of the Park Community Charter School and this Technology Plan. The Information and Technology Plan extracts from the talents of the teachers, media specialist, technology coordinator, school administrators, parents, students, and governing board members that takes a systems approach to capitalize on learning in the comprehensive, standards-based educational program. It is a plan that will offer staff the skills they need to support effective learning while encouraging leadership at all levels of the school. Additionally, it is a plan committed to offering timely access to quality technology and information resources for everyone within the school community. Goals Overview: Above all, this plan displays Park Community Charter School s (PCCS) commitment to progressively moving forward. Its design allows PCCS to maintain its focus on the outcomes that show success in the area of student learning, instead of focusing completely on the technologies that will assist PCCS to reach their specific goals. All stakeholders, within PCCS and the community, plan to meet the goals outlined in this plan through the understanding that the academic success of all the students is the definitive goal. Background Kaukauna is a community of long Wisconsin heritage and beauty along the Fox River. Park Community Charter School (PCCS) serving K-grade 4, is an innovative place-based learning community for elementary students that values its small town roots while building the foundational capacity in students to be global learners and leaders. Park Community Charter School blends three pillars of school design with five innovative curriculum tenets into its personalized learning community. Increased parent and community involvement, evident in its Charter School Governance Council and implemented through its place-based community partners will be a continuing hallmark of Park Community Charter School. Pillars of School Design Place-based Education: Where community connections provide ample opportunities for student engagement and projects, field studies, service learning, and environmental initiatives to take place. A charter school where community elders and experts will be called upon as resources to enhance the student s learning. Park Community Charter School Information Technology Plan 2011-2014 Page 2
Respectful Climate: Embedded teamwork, multi-age learning opportunities and leadership development in a climate of respectfulness and inclusivity. Community Connections of Caring: Nurturing students of character through integrated community learning and service experiences that will foster civic responsibility. Curriculum Innovations Global understandings contributing to the curriculum. Math, reinvented and reinvigorated, by combining strong foundational math skills with math thinking processes applied in science and social studies projects. School as a Wellness Community Technology Infused Environment Field study partnerships with Main Street businesses, 1,000 Islands Environmental Center, Kaukauna Utilities, and The Grignon Mansion. Park Community Charter s Vision Statement Park Community Charter School strives to develop knowledgeable, responsible, compassionate children with the skills and conscience to adapt and contribute to the changing world, by addressing each child s social, emotional, physical and academic needs through a rigorous place-based curriculum delivered in collaboration with the community. Park Community Charter School s Guiding Principals 1. Our learning environment is safe, caring, and respectful 2. Our passion and commitment to work together provides an exceptional learning environment 3. Our students are valued, active, contributing members of our learning community 4. All students can learn and high expectations maximize student achievement 5. Our students feel a sense of purpose and belonging through community connections. Therefore, the program of PCCS is based upon the philosophy that each student should be provided with the opportunity to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills, attitudes and appreciations, and to experience the personal and social relationships necessary to realize the greatest fulfillment of their potential. PCCS Technology Services Staffing The Kaukauna Area School District currently employs a full time Director of Instruction, and has a technology staff. As an instrumentality of the Kaukauna Area School District PCCS has equal access to these human resources. The building Library Media Specialist is also an integral part of the technology support infrastructure as she provides assistance with staff integratation of technology into the curriculum. Park Community Charter School Information Technology Plan 2011-2014 Page 3
Collaborative Initiatives The PCCS participates in several collaborative, technology-related initiatives. PCCS has established community partnerships to enhance the instructional offerings for our students as well as provide value to the citizens of our district. Goals and Objectives Goal 1: Improve Student Achievement through technology-infused education Teachers engage in teaming, collaboration, real-world applications, and production of high quality, state-of-the-art products that would immerse them in the kind of activities their students should experience. Develop a collaborative curriculum design process to create a high quality model of teaching and learning, including the use of technology. Goal 2: Provide staff development in the effective and efficient use of information and technology so that all staff are able to use it to support instruction. Teachers will be provided with the latest information on technology related to education. Current Status/Needs Assessment Technology is a tool used to achieve curriculum goals, communicate and collaborate with stakeholders, and assess student learning. This plan is far more comprehensive in scope and not merely geared to technology, but rather balanced by including important instruction based initiatives. Integration of Technology No. Objective Status Evidence 1 Students will use technology to be actively engaged in their learning by using the technology appropriately. 2 Students will use technology to collaborate on at least one academic project a semester that contributes to student mastery of a common core state standard. ongoing Second quarter reward (2012) ongoing Fourth grade partners are participating in a research project Park Community Charter School Information Technology Plan 2011-2014 Page 4
3 Students will use technology to learn from real world experts at least once a quarter that contributes to student mastery of a common core state standard. ongoing Bookflix Integrating technology into classroom instruction means more than teaching basic computer skills and software programs in a separate computer class. Effective tech integration must happen across the curriculum in ways that research shows deepen and enhance the learning process. In particular, it must support four key components of learning: active engagement, participation in groups, frequent interaction and feedback, and connection to real-world experts. Effective technology integration is achieved when the use of technology is routine and transparent and when technology supports curricular goals. http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-introduction Physical Technology for 2011-2012 1 Provide remaining classroom with needed technology: 2 Elmos 2 Laptops 2 Docking station 2 Projectors 2 Mimios with capture Labor for projectors 2 Provide specialists with needed technology: 1,420 1,560 1,000 2,000 2,444 1,400 1 Mimio with capture for computer lab 1 Elmo for library 1 AV Cart for library 1,222 710 580 3 Provide technology to support common core state standards: 15 Camera cases Software purchase for lab (Insight site license) 30 ipads ipad cart Apps 350 3,500 16,500 1,800 150 Park Community Charter School Information Technology Plan 2011-2014 Page 5
4 Provide technology to support classroom instruction: purchased 10,884 30 Netbooks 200 Headphones Other technologies 5. Total $45,520 Physical Technology for 2012-2013 1 Provide a computer lab for our students that provides an optimal learning environment: March 2012 12 computer tables Labor 3,000 400 2 Create learning environment at platforms of learning: Battery operated amplification system 3 Provide technology to support common core state standards: March 2012 800 March 2012 30 ipads ipad cart Apps 16,500 1,800 2,000 4. Communication of student learning: March 2012 Flat screen 1,000 5. Total $25,500 Professional Development 2011-2012 1. Tech assessment to determine staff development needs By the end of 2011-2012 school year Free Park Community Charter School Information Technology Plan 2011-2014 Page 6
Professional Development 2012-2013 1 Technology Integration Consultant to support existing technology in the classroom: $50 per hour Consultant will provide individual feedback and will structure individual professional development around his/her needs based on tech assessment. Each grade level/specialist s team will meet with consultant to integrate technology into curriculum using new technology such as the Polycom system. Each certified staff will be provided with a monthly allocated amount of time for individual professional development during classroom instruction or prep time Research best practices for technology usage to support common core state standards Release time for staff to meet with consultant Professional Development 2013-2014 12 hours a month 36 hours per month 12 hours per month Total: $24,000 $90 (24 days a year) Total: $2,160 1. Tech assessment to determine staff development needs: KASD technology department will provide school-wide feedback 2. Once a month afterschool professional development for 30 minutes on school-wide needs determined by tech assessment. Free Free Recommendations 1. PCCS will offer professional development opportunities that incorporate and require technology into the daily lives of educators. 2. PCCS will offer professional development opportunities to help teachers become proficient in planning and designing learning experiences that effectively use technology. 3. PCCS will provide support for innovative teachers who are implementing technology- Park Community Charter School Information Technology Plan 2011-2014 Page 7
supported strategies. Instructional Technology Resources and Support: A hardware and software inventory system has been created. All instructional media equipment is currently inventoried through the Library Media Center automation system and is handled by the district library media staff. Most maintenance and repair for computer or media equipment is handled within the district with routine maintenance checks being conducted annually. Implementation outline Activities or Resources Integration of technology: Person Responsible Timeline: Start Finish Students will use technology to be actively engaged in their learning by using the technology appropriately. Students will use technology to collaborate on at least one academic project a semester that contributes to student mastery of a common core state standard. Students will use technology to learn from real world experts at least once a quarter that contributes to student mastery of a common core state standard. Classroom teachers 2011-2014 Physical Technology purchases for 2011-2012 Ken Kortens March 2012 Physical Technology purchases for 2012-2013 Ken Kortens September 2012 Professional Development 2011-2012 Tech Assessment Bob Summers March 9 th 2012 Professional Development 2012-2013 Hiring of tech consultant Governing Board Summer 2012 Professional Development 2012-2013 Each grade level/specialist s team will meet with consultant to integrate technology into curriculum Each certified staff will be provided with a monthly allocated amount of time for individual Technology Integration Coordinator 2012-2013 School year Park Community Charter School Information Technology Plan 2011-2014 Page 8
professional development during classroom instruction or prep time Research best practices for technology usage to support common core state standards Release time for staff to meet with consultant Professional Development 2013-2014 Tech assessment Bob Summers September 2013 Professional Development 2013-2014 Once a month afterschool professional development for 30 minutes on school-wide needs determined by tech assessment. Ken Kortens 2013-2014 School year Park Community Charter School Information Technology Plan 2011-2014 Page 9