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Teaching & Learning in Roanoke County:

Forward Thinking, Forward Moving

The mission of Roanoke County Public Schools is to ensure quality learning experiences designed to equip all students with skills to adapt and thrive in a changing global environment.

As a school district that is not just Forward Thinking, but Forward Moving, RCPS is committed to nurturing a culture of innovative teaching & learning practices that prepare students to communicate effectively, collaborate to solve problems, think critically, exercise creativity, and accept responsibility for their learning.

The mission of Roanoke County Public Schools is to ensure quality learning experiences designed to equip all students with skills to adapt and thrive in a changing global environment.

As a school district that is not just Forward Thinking, but Forward Moving, RCPS is committed to nurturing a culture of innovative teaching & learning practices that prepare students to communicate effectively, collaborate to solve problems, think critically, exercise creativity, and accept responsibility for their learning.

DISTRICT & SCHOOL CULTURE

Teachers need … to to knowknow their subject their subject to know to know how how to teach their subjectto teach their subject the the toolstools to teach and how to use them effectively to teach and how to use them effectively

Collecting data and researchVisiting classrooms to determine training

needsParticipating in webinars: Project RED, New

Tech NetworkConference calls with other districtsOn-site visits (Mooresville, NC; Anson, NC;

Oradell, NJ)Meeting with vendorsCreating rubric for evaluating new devicesConducting needs assessment

Step 1 – Inventory equipment in every school, every room

Step 2 – Calculate testing needs by school using largest grade, pull out needs, and testing window (minimum need)

Step 3 – Ensure minimum needs met by school with equipment under warranty

Step 4 – Define recommended technology for integrated instruction and expected use of digital resources

Step 5 – Calculate cost options (buy vs. lease)

Servers, routers, switches (“the backbone”)

Teacher laptopsStudent laptopsComputer labsLaptop cartsDesktop computers in the

classroomsWireless equipmentCameras (new this year)

IP telephony phonesAncillary technology (iPads,

iPods)Interactive white boards

State technology grant ($726,000)Existing media services budget

($832,454)Major-minor capital reservesLaptop reserves (self-insured)Warranty reimbursementsStudent insurance feesBudget reductions in other areas

Issue RFP based on RCPS laptop specs

Continue evaluating teacher needs for training

Revise and implement strategic plan with professional development focus on innovative teaching and learning