Wilmington Public School District 5-Year Technology Plan 2013 through 2018 Neal Ellis OIT
Table of Contents 5-Year Technology Plan... 0 MISSION STATEMENT... 3 VISION... 3 CURRENT STATE OF TECHNOLOGY WITHIN WILMINGTON... 3 Benchmark 1: Commitment to a Clear Vision and Implementation Strategies... 3 Benchmark 2: Technology Integration and Literacy... 5 Benchmark 3: Technology Professional Development... 6 Benchmark 4: Accessibility of Technology... 6 Benchmark 5: Virtual Learning and Communications... 8 Benchmark 6: Safety, Security, and Data Retention... 8 THE CURRENT EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY ORGANIZATION... 9 WILMINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT COMPUTING INFRASTRUCTURE... 11 APPLICATIONS... 12 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT... 12 RECOMMENDED MINIMUM DISTRICT HARDWARE DISTRIBUTION... 13 Elementary Schools (Wildwood, Boutwell, Shawsheen, Woburn, North and West)... 15 Middle School... 15 High School... 15 Wilmington Public Schools vs. State-Wide Benchmarks for Hardware Distribution... 20 Wilmington Public School District Wireless Network and 1:1 Initiative Plan... 20 Methods of Achieving a 1:1 Program... 21 TimeLine... 22 Infrastructure Plan... 23 Design Considerations... 24 KEY GOALS AND ACTION PLAN FOR 2012-2013 THROUGH 2017-2018... 24 GOAL #1: PROVIDE RELIABLE CONNECTIVITY AND ACCESS... 25 System-Wide Needs... 25 Internet Access... 25 Wide Area Network (WAN)... 25 Wilmington Public School District 5-Year Technology Plan 2013-2018 1
Fiber Optic Wide Area Network... 26 Local Area Network (LAN)... 26 Wireless Infrastructure... 26 Voice Infrastructure... 27 Security Infrastructure... 27 Video Infrastructure... 28 GOAL #2: PROVIDE ADEQUATE EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE... 28 Wilmington High School... 28 Wilmington Middle School... 30 Elementary Schools... 32 West Intermediate School (Grades 4-5)... 32 North Intermediate School (Grades 4-5)... 33 Woburn Street Elementary School (Grades 1-3)... 34 Shawsheen Elementary School (Grades 1-3)... 35 Boutwell Early Childhood Center (Grades Pre-Kindergarten Kindergarten)... 35 Wildwood Early Childhood Center (Grades Pre-Kindergarten Kindergarten)... 36 Special Education Office (Located at Wildwood Elementary School)... 37 Roman House (Administrative Office)... 37 GOAL #3: PROVIDE SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS... 38 GOAL #4: PROVIDE TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES... 40 Technology Trainers (Off-hours Model)... 41 Technology Integration Specialists (Full-time Model)... 41 GOAL #5: PROVIDE TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES... 42 GOAL #6: INTEGRATE TECHNOLOGY INTO THE CURRICULUM AT ALL GRADE LEVELS... 42 Library and Media... 43 Electronic Textbooks... 43 Additional Netbook Carts at the Middle School... 43 FIVE-YEAR BUDGET AND PC REPLACEMENT SCHEDULE... 45 WILMINGTON DISTRICT TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE (TASK FORCE) MEMBERS... 47 Appendix... 48 APPLICATIONS... 48 Index... 52 Wilmington Public School District 5-Year Technology Plan 2013-2018 2
MISSION STATEMENT The Wilmington Public Schools (WPS) Office of Information Technology (OIT) aims to provide reliable, efficient, current and accessible technology to maximize educational opportunities and communication for students, teachers and staff. By fulfilling our mission in a timely, caring and professional manner, we will build a technological foundation for learning and fostering administrative productivity. VISION Our vision is to implement educational technology in every classroom as a part of an overall framework of technology integration. Wilmington Public School s students will enter higher education, the workforce, or both, with the technological tools to help them be productive. We also have a vision of implementing new technology into our infrastructure to maintain a productive and communicative environment for our district to operate in an efficient manner. This includes technical support and response to technical problems and issues as quickly as possible. The Office of Information Technology will build and support tools to help all staff accomplish the ultimate goal of educating the students of Wilmington. CURRENT STATE OF TECHNOLOGY WITHIN WILMINGTON The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has established guidelines for what they expect school districts in Massachusetts to obtain within a five-year period. These guidelines do not necessarily have to be accomplished in this timeframe but are set as goals to be ultimately achieved by a district. The state of technology in Wilmington is as follows: Table 1 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Benchmarks Mass DESE Benchmarks 1 Wilmington Has Delivered Achieved Benchmark 1: Commitment to a Clear Vision and Implementation Strategies A. The district's technology plan contains a clearly stated and reasonable set of goals and implementation strategies that align with the district-wide school improvement plan. The district is committed to achieving its vision by the end of the school year 2014-2015. B. The district has a technology team with representatives from a variety of stakeholder groups, including school committee members, administrators, and teachers. The technology team has the support of the school superintendent to implement the plan. WPS Technology Plan WPS Technology Task Force C. Needs Assessment 1. The district assesses the technology products and services that will be needed to improve teaching and learning. Yearly review of online services and curriculumspecific software and hardware 2. The technology plan includes an assessment of the services and products that are currently being used and that the district plans to acquire. The Tech Plan does address services and products 1 The Local Technology Plan Guidelines can be downloaded from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website (http://www.doe.mass.edu/edtech/techplan/10-15guidelines.pdf). Wilmington Public School District 5-Year Technology Plan 2013-2018 3
D. Budget 1. The district recognizes that technology plays a critical role in achieving its goals. The district has a budget that will ensure the implementation of its long-range technology plan. 2. The budget includes staffing, infrastructure, hardware, software applications, professional development, support, and contracted services. 3. The district seeks funding for technology programs from federal, state, and private resources, as well as from academic departments that are supported by technology. The district explores ways that technology can reduce costs and create efficiencies in other areas of the district budget. 4. For districts that plan to apply for E-rate reimbursement, the technology plan specifies how the district will pay for the nondiscounted portion of their costs for the services procured through E- rate. E. Evaluation 1. The district routinely consults with technology staff before purchasing technology items, to ensure that the items are appropriate, cost-effective, and sustainable. 2. The district's technology plan includes an evaluation process that enables it to monitor its progress in achieving its goals and to make mid-course corrections in response to new developments and opportunities as they arise. WPS School Budget WPS School Budget WPS Operating Budget, Parent Action Committees (PAC), Erate Reimbursement when applicable, Wilmington Education Foundation (WEF) Grants, Analog Devices Grants, Free InterlinkONE Work Order Management System, Rotary Grants WPS School Budget WPS Office of Information Technology (OIT) Policy WPS Tech Plan Wilmington Public School District 5-Year Technology Plan 2013-2018 4
Benchmark 2: Technology Integration and Literacy A. Technology Integration 2 1. Outside Teaching Time - At least 90% of teachers use technology every day, including some of the following areas: research, lesson planning, organization, administrative tasks, communications, and collaboration. Teachers explore evolving technologies and share information about technology uses with their colleagues. All teachers are required to use their computer for daily administrative tasks. Aspen Student Information System 2. For Teaching and Learning - At least 90% of teachers use technology appropriately with students every day to improve student learning of the curriculum. Activities include some of the following: research, multimedia, simulations, data analysis, communications, and collaboration. Teachers integrate evolving technologies that enhance student interest, inquiry, analysis, collaboration, and creativity. Observationally, at least 90% of teachers are using the technology in their classrooms. B. Technology Literacy 1. At least 90% of eighth grade students show proficiency in all the Massachusetts Technology Literacy Standards and Expectations for grade eight 3. Curriculum supports benchmarks 2. 100% of teachers are working to meet the proficiency level in technology, and by the school year 2014-2015, 90% of teachers will have mastered 90% of the skills in the Massachusetts Technology Self-Assessment Tool (TSAT) 4 WPS Professional Development Goals We are working toward this goal. Currently 90% of teachers participating in the survey have mastered 73% of skills in the TSAT No 2 The Massachusetts Department of Education defines technology integration as the daily use of technology in classrooms, libraries, and labs to improve student learning. 3 The Massachusetts Technology Literacy Standards and Expectations are available on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website (http://www.doe.mass.edu/edtech/standards.html). 4 The Technology Self-Assessment Tool is available on the DESE website (http://www.doe.mass.edu/edtech/standards/sa_tool.html). Wilmington Public School District 5-Year Technology Plan 2013-2018 5
C. Staffing 1. The district has a district-level technology director/coordinator. 2. The district provides one FTE Instructional Technology Specialist (ITS) per 60-120 instructional staff to coach and model. 3. The district has staff specifically dedicated to data management and assessment. Benchmark 3: Technology Professional Development A. At the end of five years, at least 90% of district staff will have participated in high-quality, ongoing professional development that includes emerging technology issues, technology skills, universal design, and research-based models of technology integration. B. Technology professional development is sustained and ongoing and includes coaching, modeling best practices, district-based mentoring, study groups, and online professional development. C. Professional development planning includes an assessment of district and teachers' needs. The assessment is based on the competencies listed in the Massachusetts Technology Self-Assessment Tool. 5 D. Administrators and teachers consider their own needs for technology professional development. 6 Benchmark 4: Accessibility of Technology A. Hardware Access 1. By 2014-2015, the district has an average ratio of one highcapacity, Internet-connected computer for each student. (The Department will work with stakeholders on a regular basis to review and define high-capacity computers) 2. The district provides students with emerging technologies appropriate to their grade level. 3. The district maximizes access to the general education curriculum WPS Director of Information Technology Currently there are 463 staff members and a total of 2.2 FTE staff members to support the integration of technology into the curriculum. District ratio is 1 ITS to 210 staff members. See Figure 1 District Assessment Data Coordinator, District Elementary Math and Reading Curriculum Coordinators, Supt. and Asst. Supt. for Assessment Professional Development in technology Majority of staff have participated in PD. Tech PD is sustained, ongoing and growing. PD based upon results of the TSAT TSAT administered and taken by staff The District average ratio is 4.425 students to 1 computer. We have met this goal as a district but not at the individual school level. We have plans for a 1:1 program. The district provides many emerging technologies appropriate to grade-level. We work toward the goals daily. There is still room for No In Progress In Progress 5 Details are available on the Department s web site (http://www.doe.mass.edu/edtech/standards/sa_tool.html). 6 A sample administrator technology self assessment tool is available on the Department s web site (http://www.doe.mass.edu/edtech/standards/tsat_sampadmin.html). The Technology Self-Assessment Tool (TSAT) for teachers is also available as a printable document and as an interactive tool on MassONE (http://www.doe.mass.edu/edtech/standards/sa_tool.html). Wilmington Public School District 5-Year Technology Plan 2013-2018 6
for all students, including students with disabilities, using universal design principles and assistive technology devices. 4. The district has procurement policies for information and instructional technologies that ensure usability, equivalent access, interoperability and SIF compliance 7. 5. The district provides technologyrich classrooms, with access to devices such as digital projectors, electronic whiteboards, and student response systems. 6. The district has established a computer replacement cycle of five years or less. B. Internet Access 1. The district provides connectivity to the Internet in all classrooms in all schools including wireless connectivity. C. Networking (LAN/WAN) D. Access to the Internet Outside the School Day 2. The district provides bandwidth of at least 10/100/1 Gb to each classroom. At peak, the bandwidth at each computer is at least 100 kbps. The network card for each computer is at least 10/100/1 Gb 1. The district provides internal wide area network (WAN) connections from the district to each school between schools of at least 1 Gbps per 1,000 students/staff. 2. The district provides access to servers for secure file sharing, backups, scheduling, email, and web publishing, either internally or through contracted services. 1. The district provides access to its computer labs before and after school to ensure that students and staff have adequate access to the Internet outside of the school day. improvement. OIT policies for hardware and software procurement. Cooperation with building principals and OIT for procurement District goal to provide a mounted projector in every classroom. Interactive whiteboards are in several classrooms in the district, as are Student Response systems. We have worked for the last six years toward a five-year replacement cycle. Every computer in the district has an internet connection or wireless in areas where needed. OIT Hardware Policy of 1 Gbps wired NIC in all equipment is standard and switching equipment with matching rate. Wireless NIC policy is N capable. District has an internal WAN fiber optic loop providing 1 Gbps between schools and district admin building. See Figure 2 Access for sharing at every building, backups nightly ( OIT Backup Routine Standard Operating Procedures ), Email via Exchange 2010 in-house, web publishing to hosted website Labs are open after school in elementary. Wilmington extended day (C.A.R.E.S.) programs and Wilmington Public Library See Table 7 In Progress 7 For more information, see the website for the SIF Association (http://www.sifinfo.org/us/index.asp). Wilmington Public School District 5-Year Technology Plan 2013-2018 7
2. The district disseminates a list of up-to-date list of places where students and staff can access the Internet after school hours. E. Staffing 1. The district provides staff or contracted services to ensure that its network is functioning at all times. 2. The district resolves technical problems within 24 hours, so that they do not cause major disruptions to curriculum delivery. The district provides clear information about how to access technical support, which can be provided in person or remotely. 3. The district provides at least one FTE person to support 400 computers. Technical support can be provided by dedicated staff or contracted services. Benchmark 5: Virtual Learning and Communications A. The district encourages the development and use of innovative strategies for delivering high-quality courses through the use of technology. B. The district deploys IP-based connections for access to web-based and/or interactive video learning on the local, state, regional, national, and international level. C. Classroom applications of virtual learning include courses, collaborative projects, field trips, and discussions. D. The district maintains an up-to-date website that includes information for parents and community members. Benchmark 6: Safety, Security, and Data Retention A.The district has a CIPA-compliant Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) regarding Internet and network use. The policy is updated as needed to help ensure safe and ethical use of resources by teachers and students. B. The district educates teachers and students about appropriate online behavior. Topics include cyberbullying, potential risks related to social networking sites and chat rooms, and strategies for dealing with these issues. 10 After-hours document posted to website 8 Office of Information Technology Technology Liaison in every school, online Work Order Management System for repair tickets, processed in a timely manner. General computer issues are resolved in 24 hours. Overall Tech support per PC is 1:256. Desktop support technicians per PC is 1:427 9 Students are using Virtual High School online courses. Several subscribed and free media sources are available. Available via classroom computers. www.wilmington.k12.ma.us Electronic Use Policy Currently revising Classroom and library classes cover ethics. Also, ethics is a part of our integration specialist position 8 After-hours access is posted at http://www.wilmington.k12.ma.us/internet%20access%20after%20hours.doc 9 Roles for desktop support are dynamic. At peak times, more staff will be dedicated to desktop support to improve work order completion times. 10 To learn more about teaching students about safety and the Internet, see Net Cetera: Chatting with Kids About Being Online, a free guidebook produced through a partnership of federal agencies and the technology industry (http://www.edgovblogs.org/duncan/2009/12/online-safety-guidebook-for-parents/ ). Wilmington Public School District 5-Year Technology Plan 2013-2018 8
C. The district has a plan to protect the security and confidentiality of personal information of its students and staff. 11 D. The district complies with federal and state law 12, and local policies for archiving electronic communications produced by its staff and students. The district informs staff and students that any information distributed over the district or school network may be a public record. Secured and encrypted storage The District complies with federal and state law including the FRCP 13 for communications archiving THE CURRENT EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY ORGANIZATION The Technology Organization of the Wilmington Public School District is provided below in Figure 1. Figure 1 Neal Ellis Director of IT (1 FTE) Office of Information Technology (OIT) Christine McMenimen Middle School Principal Eric Tracy High School Principal Network Administrator (1 FTE) Mark Morency OIT Secretary (.65 FTE) Dana Burnham Library/Media Coordinator (.2 FTE) Heather Peachey Systems Administrator (1 FTE) Trish Volpe Desktop Support Technician (2 FTE) Jared Camerlengo, Thomas Smulligan District ITS Staff (.2 FTE) Teacher Trainer Jennifer Judkins Elementary Teacher Trainer Traci Jansen Technology Education Staff (4 FTE) Middle School Carol Trulli Middle School Kathryn Downer Middle School David Pinette Middle School Kevin Welch ITS Staff (2 FTE) Middle School Brenda Lomanno High School Russell Carroll The Office of Information Technology currently supports a total population as follows: Table 2 Support Population Population Type PreK-12 Student Population 3619 Total Administrators 27.88 Total Instructional Staff 279.416 Total Instructional Support Staff 10.48 Total Instructional Support and Non-Special Education Staff 2 Instructional Support and Sp. Ed. Staff 5.5 Instructional Support and Sp. Ed. and Non-Sp. Ed. Shared Staff 7.5 Paraprofessional Staff 59 11 To find out how state agencies in the Executive Branch must protect personal information, as well as to find training tools related to this effort, see the Commonwealth s website (http://www.mass.gov/?pageid=afsubtopic&l=6&l0=home&l1=research+%26+technology&l2=it+policies% 2c+Standards+%26+Guidance&L3=Legal+Guidance&L4=Privacy+%26+Security&L5=Executive+Order+504&sid =Eoaf ). 12 Information about state regulations is available from the state s Record Management Unit (http://www.sec.state.ma.us/arc/arcrmu/rmuidx.htm). 13 Information on the Federal Rules for Civil Procedure can be found at (http://www.uscourts.gov/rules/civil2007.pdf) Wilmington Public School District 5-Year Technology Plan 2013-2018 9
Total Special Education Related Staff 13.1 Medical/Health Services 11.2 Office/Clerical/Administrative Support 27.6 Food Services 20 Total Population 4082.7 Total Computers 1280 Total IT Support Staff 5 Total Desktop Support staff 3 Total Ed Tech Staff 14 12.05 Ratio of entire Ed Tech Staff to Total Population 1:339 Ratio of Desktop Technicians to Total Population 1:1361 Ratio of Desktop Technicians to Computers 1:427 Note: These employee count numbers represent Full Time Equivalents (FTE), not headcount. The Director of Technology is responsible for technical and administrative needs for the district. This role is responsible for managing the Office of Information Technology on a daily basis. The Office of Information Technology consists of 5.65 FTE staff as follows: 2 Desktop Technicians, 1 Lead Technician/Systems Administrator, 1 Network Administrator,.65 Secretary and 1 Director of IT. The Director role includes the purchasing and specification of hardware and software, as well as implementing the installation of these purchases in the district through project management and distribution of resources. Educational technology duties are shared with each of the Curriculum Coordinators to deliver technological opportunities to staff and students. Budgetary responsibilities include the yearly creation of a budget and the proper appropriation of those funds toward upgrading the district s technical resources and maintaining current resources. Occasionally, network administrative duties are shared with the Network Administrator. The Library Coordinator position has been created for the 2012-2013 school year with the dedication of.2 FTE to the position. This position is responsible for the Library/Media Center curriculum with a focus on modernizing library/media center functionality in the 21 st century. The Library Coordinator position is under the direction of the Director of IT which has become an increasingly common practice in Massachusetts. The Instructional Technology Specialists (ITS) provide instruction, training and resources to facilitate the use of technology in the classroom. These specialists work in the classroom with teachers to develop curriculum material and lesson plans that take advantage of technology to more effectively educate our student population. The ITS staff are certified as Instructional Technology Specialists by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and oftentimes have a teaching background. The district ITS staff (after-school teacher trainers) are hired at the district level and funded through a stipend to provide courses in the subject of using technology in education. This is a combined effort with the Director of Professional Development (Asst. Supt.) in the district to offer teachers an opportunity to learn from other teachers who have a wealth of knowledge in the area of technology. The Network/Desktop Support Technicians are responsible for keeping the network and desktop computers running in the district and occasionally providing training opportunities to staff. They are 14 Even though this number is 12.05 for total ed. tech. staff, and is used to determine an overall ratio of population to ed. tech. staff, it does not accurately reflect the actual ratio of technology education staff to the overall population. As demonstrated in the Technology Organization Chart (Figure 1), several of the staff are dedicated to a particular building or function within the district. Wilmington Public School District 5-Year Technology Plan 2013-2018 10
also responsible for telephone systems, cabling, printers, projectors, interactive whiteboards, software issues and other computer peripherals. The Network Administrator is responsible for maintaining and implementing district-wide network resources. Work orders that are beyond a desktop repair are pushed to this position. This position is responsible for keeping the network running on a day-to-day basis while planning for upgrades. The Systems Administrator position is also a new position for the 2012-2013 school year. This position is desktop tier 2 support as well as systems administration. Much of this role is dedicated to the daily functioning of our Student Information System (SIS), Aspen by Follett Software, as well as the many other integral software programs used on a daily basis by our staff and students. This role is also responsible for distribution of work orders based on priority and location to the desktop technicians, network administrator or director of IT. The OIT Secretary is responsible for the daily administrative support for the department. As of the 2012-2013 school year, this role is also responsible for the electronic state reporting to the DESE for such reports as the Student Information Management System (SIMS), Education Personnel Information Management System (EPIMS) and the Student Course Schedule (SCS). The Technology Education Staff are teachers providing hands-on opportunities for students to use technology in a classroom setting. Some of this education is related to physics and electronics as well as typing, graphics, writing, mathematics and other core subjects using technology as a tool to accomplish assignments. WILMINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT COMPUTING INFRASTRUCTURE The current network backbone consists of a fiber Wide Area Network (WAN) built by Comm-Tract and Hub Technical Services for the purposes of transmission of data from one public school building to another. This network operates on a 1 Gbps transfer speed. This network was built at the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year. Plans to upgrade some of the connections on the fiber optic loop to 10 Gbps are scheduled for the 2013-2014 school year. The fiber has been run in a loop around Wilmington in order to create redundancy and shorter paths from building to building. Internet connectivity is provided individually by Comcast at the Shawsheen and Woburn Street elementary schools, the North and West Intermediate Schools, and the Boutwell and Wildwood Early Childhood centers. At the Middle and High Schools, a Comcast internet connection is used as a secondary connection and for the transfer of email. The primary connection for internet at the Middle and High Schools is via a Verizon FiOS connection. The Roman House Administrative Office Building receives internet connectivity through the High School s internet connection. There are plans to upgrade the Roman House to its own internet connection in the 2012-2013 school year. E-mail is provided to all schools through a 2010 Microsoft Exchange Server on premises. It is distributed through the WAN in-district and through a secure web portal outside the district, as well as through the Outlook client using secure protocols. The system is also available on mobile devices through users client email programs. File sharing and backup is provided through file servers located in two different locations in the district, specifically the Middle and High School server rooms. These servers provide redundant service of files to clients using the Distributed File System (DFS) method. This provides failover 15 for files in the event that one server is unreachable for some reason. All students must comply with district-wide regulations governing the use of computers, software, internet and other electronic communication. 15 In computing, failover is automatic switching to a redundant or standby computer server, system, hardware component or network upon the failure or abnormal termination of the previously active application, server, system, hardware component, or network. From Wikipedia. "Failover" <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/failover>. Wilmington Public School District 5-Year Technology Plan 2013-2018 11
Figure 2 APPLICATIONS A list of supported software applications can be found in the appendix at the end of this document. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT In the past two years we have made great strides in Professional Development (PD). In order for our teachers to reach their potential using all of the technological tools currently available in the district, we need to train them on the use of these tools. The WPS have worked to create PD opportunities for staff throughout the district. The PD standards expected by the state can be difficult to match. Therefore we have used some of our Curriculum Improvement days with the staff to focus on technology in the classroom. In the last three years we have been able to provide at least 12 hours per staff member for technology-based training using this method. The district also has created two stipended positions specifically for Teacher Trainers. The Teacher Trainers create after-school classes for teachers in the area of technology integration. These classes have been very popular and many teachers have enrolled in these classes. One Teacher Trainer is oriented toward teaching elementary teachers and the other toward secondary teachers. Recognizing that different tools and methods of technology integration are appropriate at different grade levels, we try to provide classes that would appeal to both elementary and secondary teachers. Some classes will focus on secondary only, some on elementary only and some are grade independent. Wilmington Public School District 5-Year Technology Plan 2013-2018 12
Another step we took toward ensuring that our teachers become better acquainted with technology was adding a clause to the teacher contracts that requires teachers to take 12 hours of technologyrelated PD within their first three years in the district. This step brings our new teachers up-to-speed with technology and aligns with the district goals of technology integration. One last important piece that WPS has done toward a goal of getting our teachers more tech savvy is to make suggestions to the boards of institutes of higher learning about the technology exposure their students get while being trained as teachers. As a district, we have seen several teachers begin their careers here without a background in using technology in the classroom or at any basic level. This year we are building the Professional Development (PD) module of the Aspen Student Information System. This module provides the ability for teachers to build their Individual Professional Development Plans (IPDPs) right from their grade books in Aspen. It also allows the teacher to browse upcoming professional development and enroll in classes. The instructor of the class can use Aspen to communicate with the enrolled teachers as well. The PD module also tracks credits and classes taken by the teachers and the teachers can review their PD information at any time. RECOMMENDED MINIMUM DISTRICT HARDWARE DISTRIBUTION The Office of Information Technology recommendations for Minimum District Hardware Distribution are not necessarily standards that we have achieved in the school district but rather guidelines which we hope to achieve in the future. It is important to set a standard for infrastructure items such as desktop and laptop computers. In order to meet the guidelines set forth by the DESE for computer quality, 16 the district has to know what it has and what it needs to have in order to properly budget for these goals. The state has been working with the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) 17 in order to ready the state s school districts for online assessment. In terms of hardware requirements, they are outlining a very aggressive timeline for districts to meet certain technology standards. Essentially, the state would like to conduct the MCAS examinations online and would like the schools to provide the technology and infrastructure capable of administering these examinations. At this time, it is not clear when the state will decide that the districts need to follow these guidelines in order to administer online state-wide assessments however, PARCC s goal is to have these guidelines in place by the 2014-2015 school year 18. Table 3 is a list of the Wilmington-prescribed minimum hardware distribution. Table 4 shows the current and projected status of the schools related to the number of students in each school and the ratio of the students to computers, as well as some notes on the computing environment. Table 5 shows the current hardware distribution and ratios broken out by building. This gives statistics on the most prominent and needed technology items. Lastly, Figures 3 and 4 show the ratio of students to computers as a bar graph, and the student population versus student computers as a line graph respectively. Table 3 - Standard Minimum Hardware Requirements Elementary Schools (Wildwood, Boutwell, Shawsheen, Woburn, North and West) 1 teacher laptop per classroom 1 laptop per principal 1 laptop per building for instructional use 16 Defined in the Individual School Technology Profile document for High-End computers available online at: http://www.doe.mass.edu/edtech/techplan/profile.pdf 17 The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers website: http://www.parcconline.org/ 18 http://www.parcconline.org/assessment-administration-guidance Wilmington Public School District 5-Year Technology Plan 2013-2018 13
1 laser printer per every other classroom 1 laser printer per main office location 1 laser printer per guidance department 1 laser printer per library 1 laser printer per Sp. Ed. department 3 desktop computers per library 1 presentation device in each classroom including interactive whiteboard (IWB) 1 digital projector in each classroom including projector mounting 1 digital projector in each library including projector mounting 1 color laser printer per elementary school 1 fast automatic feed scanner per elementary school 1 digital sign per elementary school Wireless access coverage throughout school Middle School 1 teacher desktop or laptop computer per classroom (Currently 1 desktop computer per classroom) 1 laptop computer per principal (Currently 1 desktop per principal) 1 laptop computer per building for instructional use 1 laptop computer per assistant principal 1 laser printer per every other classroom 1 laser printer per main office location 1 laser printer per guidance department 1 laser printer per library 1 laser printer per Sp. Ed. deptartment 1 interactive whiteboard per classroom 1 digital projector in each classroom including projector mounting 1 digital projector wall or ceiling mounted in library 1 fast automatic feed scanner per floor 2 color laser printers in building 2 digital signs Wireless access coverage throughout school Maintain 12 computers in library High School 1 teacher laptop computer per teacher 1 laptop computer per principal 1 laptop computer per assistant principal 1 laptop computer per building for instructional use 1 laser printer per every other classroom 1 laser printer per main office location 1 laser printer per guidance department 1 laser printer per library 1 laser printer per Sp. Ed. department 25 student desktop computers per library 1 interactive whiteboard per classroom 1 digital projector in each classroom including projector mounting 3 mobile laptop computer carts including 1 mobile writing lab 2 digital signs 1 digital production studio Wireless access coverage throughout school 1 foreign language lab (virtual or physical) 1 multimedia audio system per classroom Student charging systems or outlets for BYOD devices Wilmington Public School District 5-Year Technology Plan 2013-2018 14
Table 4 School Hardware Status and Projected Status Standard 2009 2012 2017 Elementary Schools (Wildwood, Boutwell, Shawsheen, Woburn, North and West) 1 teacher laptop computer per teacher 1 desktop computer per classroom 1 desktop computer per classroom 1 laptop per teacher 1 laptop per principal 1 desktop per principal 1 laptop per principal 1 laptop per principal 1 laptop per building for instructional 100% 100% 100% use 1 laser printer per every other 100% 100% 100% classroom 1 laser printer per main office location 100% 100% 100% 1 laser printer per guidance dept. 100% 100% 100% 1 laser printer per library 100% 100% 100% 1 laser printer per Sp. Ed. dept. 100% 100% 100% 3 desktop computers per library 100% 100% 100% 1 IWB per classroom 10.4% 46.1% 100% 1 projector per classroom (not library) 33% 93.4% 100% 1 projector mounting per classroom 10.4% 57.4% 100% 1 projector per library 33% 33% 100% 1 color laser printer 100% 100% 100% 1 scanner per school 0% 100% 100% 1 digital sign per school 0% 50% 100% Wireless access points 0% 0% 100% Middle School 1 laptop computer per teacher 1 desktop per classrm 1 desktop per classrm 1 laptop per teacher 1 laptop computer per principal 1 desktop per principal 1 laptop per principal 1 laptop per principal 1 laptop per bldg. for instruct. use 100% 100% 100% 1 laptop computer per asst. principal 0% 0% 100% 1 laser printer per every other 100% 100% 100% classroom 1 laser printer per main office 100% 100% 100% 1 laser printer per guidance dept. 100% 100% 100% 1 laser printer per library 100% 100% 100% 1 laser printer per Sp. Ed. dept. 100% 100% 100% 1 IWB per classroom 3.3% 19.7% 100% 1 projector in each classroom 18% 100% 100% 1 projector mounting per classroom 6.6% 100% 100% 1 projector wall or ceiling mounted in 0% 100% 100% library 1 fast auto feed scanner per floor 0% 100% 100% 2 color laser printers in building 100% 100% 100% 2 digital signs 0 digital signs 1 digital sign 2 digital signs Wireless access points throughout 0% 100% 100% school Maintain 12 computers in library 100% 100% 100% High School 1 laptop computer per teacher 1 desktop per classroom 1 desktop per classroom 1 laptop per teacher 1 laptop computer per principal 1 desktop per principal 1 laptop per principal 1 laptop per principal 1 laptop per bldg. for instruct. use 100% 100% 100% 1 laptop computer per asst. principal 100% 100% 100% 1 laser printer per every other 100% 100% 100% classroom 1 laser printer per main office 100% 100% 100% 1 laser printer per guidance dept. 100% 100% 100% Wilmington Public School District 5-Year Technology Plan 2013-2018 15
1 laser printer per library 100% 100% 100% 1 laser printer per Sp. Ed. dept. 100% 100% 100% 25 student desktops per library 100% 100% 100% 1 (IWB) per classroom 13.8% 46.2% 100% 1 projector in each classroom 66.2% 84.6% 100% 1 projector mounting per classroom 7.7% 66.2% 100% 2 mobile laptop computer carts 1 cart 3 carts 3 carts 2 digital signs 2 digital signs 2 digital signs 3 digital signs 1 Digital production studio 0% 0% 100% Wireless Access Points throughout 0% 40% 100% school 1 foreign language lab 0% 0% 100% 1 multimedia audio system per 0% 0% 100% classroom Student charging systems or outlets for BYOD devices 0% 10% 100% Wilmington Public School District 5-Year Technology Plan 2013-2018 16
Table 5 - Current Hardware Distribution and Ratios School Grade Level Student Population Student PCs Teacher PCs Stu./ All PCs Stu./ Stu. PCs IWBs 19 IWB/ Classrm Projectors Projector/ Classrm Mounted Projectors Boutwell PreK-K 144 10 15 5.8:1 14.4:1 4 0.40:1 6 0.60 4 0.40 Mounted/ Classrm Wildwood PreK-K 173 12 16 6.2:1 14.4:1 4 0.40:1 6 0.60 4 0.40 Shawsheen 1-3 385 28 48 5.1:1 13.8:1 7 0.25:1 22 0.92 13 0.54 Woburn 1-3 459 27 47 6.2:1 17.0:1 17 0.71:1 29 1.21 16 0.67 West 4-5 246 29 42 3.5:1 8.5:1 16 0.76:1 17 0.81 16 0.76 North 4-5 322 29 40 4:1 11.1:1 6 0.29:1 21 1.00 14 0.67 Middle 6-8 891 311 85 2.3:1 2.9:1 12 0.20:1 68 1.11 61 1.00 High 9-12 940 307 114 2.2:1 3.1:1 30 0.46:1 55 0.85 26 0.40 19 Interactive Whiteboard Wilmington Public School District 5-Year Technology Plan 2013-2018 17
Table 5 - Continued School Computer SRS 21 Labs 20 School Computing Environment Boutwell 1 0 10 PC Computer lab in library, 1 teacher PC per classroom, 1 mobile projection device for directed instruction and presentations, 4 mounted projectors for classroom instruction, 4 interactive whiteboards, high speed internet Wildwood 1 0 12 PC Computer lab in library, 1 teacher PC per classroom, 1 mobile and 4 mounted projection devices for directed instruction and presentations, 4 interactive whiteboards, high speed internet access, wireless access in library Shawsheen 1 2 23 PC Computer lab, 1 teacher PC per classroom, 9 mobile and 13 mounted projection devices for directed instruction and presentations, 7 interactive whiteboards, high speed internet access, 2 student response systems (SRS) Woburn 1 1 24 PC Computer lab, 1 teacher PC per classroom, 13 mobile and 16 mounted projection devices for directed instruction and presentations, 17 interactive whiteboards, high speed internet access, 1 student response system West 1 3 26 PC Computer lab, 1 teacher PC per classroom, 1 mobile and 16 mounted projection devices for directed instruction and presentations, 16 interactive whiteboards, high speed internet access, 3 student response systems North 1 2 26 PC Computer lab, 1 teacher PC per classroom, 7 mobile and 14 mounted projection devices for directed instruction and presentations, 6 interactive whiteboards, high speed internet access, 2 student response systems Middle 9 (2) 28 Seat (1) 27 Seat (1) 12 Seat (3) 25 Seat (2) 15 Seat High 10 (2) 23 Seat (1) 24 Seat (6) 25 Seat (1) 12 Seat 1 (2) 28 PC Computer labs are used for both integration and classroom instruction, (1) 27 PC Computer lab is used mostly for integration and some instruction, 12 library PCs for student use, each classroom has 1 teacher PC per classroom and from 0-5 student PCs, 1 small mobile lab of laptops used for science experiments, (3) mobile labs consisting of 25 laptops each, (2) 15 PC tech-ed/engineering labs, 7 mobile and 61 mounted projection devices, 12 interactive whiteboards, high speed internet access, wireless network throughout 2 (2) 23 Seat labs for business and general use, (1) 24 seat lab for programming and general use, (5) 25 Seat labs consisting of (1) lab for business and general use, (1) lab for Graphics/Animation, (1) mobile lab of laptops for the History Dept. (1) lab of 25 PCs in the library for research and instruction, (1) mobile lab of 25 laptops for use with the 1:1 pilot in the Adams St. Wing, and (1) mobile lab of 26 laptops for the English Dept for writing, (1) 12 Seat lab for physics experimentation and Foreign Language 20 Computer labs in this case are defined as 10 or greater computers that can be used with a whole class at that grade level. 21 Student Response System or Classroom Participation System sometimes referred to as Clickers are usually handheld devices that send a response from the student to a receiver so that the teacher can immediately use the data digitally. Wilmington Public School District 5-Year Technology Plan 2013-2018 18
Figure 3 Ratio of Students to PCs District-wide Figure 4 Student Population vs. Student Computers Wilmington Public School District 5-Year Technology Plan 2013-2018 19
Wilmington Public Schools vs. State-Wide Benchmarks for Hardware Distribution The State of Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has established some benchmarks that act as guidelines for the effective use of technology within a school environment. Although benchmarks are helpful, they often do not represent the manner in which effective teaching can occur. However, benchmarks can often serve as important data points for comparison to existing conditions. These benchmarks are identified in Table 6 below. Table 6 WPS vs. State Benchmarks Ratios # of Students/PC Instructional Technology Specialist/ Teacher DESE Benchmark Wilmington School District Tech Support Staff/ total number of student PCs in the district 1.0 22 1:60-120 23 1:400 1 24 14.4 Boutwell 14.4 Wildwood 13.8 Shawsheen 17.0 Woburn 8.5 West 11.0 North 2.9 Middle 3.1 High 1:219 1:330 1 District IT Director/ Coordinator Based on the comparative data in Table 6 above, the number of computers per student is far from where the state would like us to be by the 2014-2015 school year. By that time, which is two school years from the date of this tech plan, the state expects us to have one device for every student in the district. There is only one way to possibly meet this goal by that time and that is to establish a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) plan of hardware distribution. The ratio of tech support per number of student PCs is good; however, if you consider that there are more staff machines than student machines, the ratio of technical support dedicated to just student machines falls short. It pushes the technician to student PC ratio closer to 1:650 which is greater than the allowed state benchmark. We are definitely lacking in our technology integration staff. The district is very aware of this fact and has planned to increase the number of ITS staff in the coming years. The Wilmington Public Schools has requested through the budget process for an elementary integration specialist for the coming 2013-2014 school year which has not yet been approved by the town. Wilmington Public School District Wireless Network and 1:1 Initiative Plan A 1:1 Initiative is a program to create a ratio of one student to one electronic device. The concept of a 1:1 Initiative is that a student lives with a device either all day at school or twenty-four hours per day. It enables a student to find quick solutions to problems that occur every day by allowing for the 22 Benchmark 4 Accessibility of Technology Section A.1. of the Local Technology Plan Guidelines (http://www.doe.mass.edu/edtech/techplan/10-15guidelines.pdf) 23 Benchmark 2 Technology Integration and Literacy Section C.2. of the Local Technology Plan Guidelines (http://www.doe.mass.edu/edtech/techplan/10-15guidelines.pdf) 24 Benchmark 2 Technology Integration and Literacy Section C.1. of the Local Technology Plan Guidelines (http://www.doe.mass.edu/edtech/techplan/10-15guidelines.pdf) Wilmington Public School District 5-Year Technology Plan 2013-2018 20
immediate exploration of information and the ability to create information on the go. From a practical standpoint, 1:1 devices can make the life of a student much simpler. Imagine not having to carry your books home every night. You wouldn t need to if all of your books were on computer files loaded onto your device. There would be less paper to fill up your locker, since your virtual locker would be online. All of your homework could come in and out of an online storage locker and be handed into the teacher electronically. The 1:1 device can make the leap to a paperless world much easier. For example, say you are a Middle School student who is advanced in mathematics and you would really like to take a math class offered at the High School. That would be difficult since the bus doesn t come whenever you want it and you don t drive yet. Using your electronic device, transportation becomes unnecessary since the student can watch the lesson being taught at the High School over video conferencing. The student could take the class with headphones in the library. The lesson could be archived online for other students to watch or re-watch whenever needed. Teachers would also be included in the 1:1 Initiative. If you are a teacher, you would have a device that you could bring home. You could create assignments on a laptop for example and post them to the web or your Aspen student accounts for the students to download. These assignments could be stored there for use every year. You would have a dedicated machine to enter your grades. You would move around the building on a wireless connection and connect anywhere. If you are performing duties, just bring your device and you can do both at the same time. If you have a planning period and you want to enter grades for the term, sit outside on a bench with a cold drink and enter them in. I ve heard people say that students unplug to go to school and then plug back in when they leave. For modern students, schools are behind in their ability to mirror modern life and times. For instance, imagine if you worked for a delivery company and drove a shiny new Ferrari to work every day. When you arrive at work, your boss tells you to take a horse and carriage out of the stable and deliver packages around the city. Then at the end of the day, you get back in your Ferrari and drive home. If this was the case, you would seriously start to wonder if your boss knew what he was doing! Now is the time to bring the Wilmington School District up to speed with the modern way of life of its students and teachers. Methods of Achieving a 1:1 Program Typically, there are two scenarios for implementing a 1:1 program in school districts. The first involves purchasing devices for every student in the district or targeted grade levels and the second incorporates devices already owned by students. There are pros and cons to both schemes; however, I think there is only one choice for Wilmington given the budget restrictions that the entire state is experiencing. Purchasing devices for every student can be an incredibly costly proposal. This scenario would require the town to purchase a device at roughly $500-1500 per student depending on what type of device we wanted to purchase. Currently, for the money, I think that the most efficient device that accomplishes all of the district goals and allows the student to create materials and media is a netbook or low-end laptop. These can be had for about $400 when purchased in large quantities. The district has approximately 3,600 students at the current time. Doing the math, that comes to $1,440,000.00. Additionally, we would need to purchase about 100 spare units and replacement parts for the 3,600 in the field which adds another $40,000.00. If we buy the devices, then we have to supply tech support for those devices which would require the hiring of an additional three technicians at a cost of about $40,000.00 per technician which equals $120,000.00 without medical coverage. This brings us to almost $1,480,000.00 in non-salary and $120,000.00 in salary costs. The district would need to purchase new devices at least every three years given the durability of such devices and the quick increase in technology needs. This would break down the program cost by a factor of three which would mean we would need a funding source of $493,333.00 plus the three technicians for a total of $613,333.00 yearly. Wilmington Public School District 5-Year Technology Plan 2013-2018 21