of the local school district technology plan · "e-rate," must first prepare a technology...

1

REQUIRED SUBSTANTIVE COMPONENTS

OF THE

LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT TECHNOLOGY PLAN

Schools, school districts, and libraries that want to apply for Schools and Libraries support, commonly referred to as

"E-Rate," must first prepare a technology plan. Beginning with FY2011, technology plans are required only for

Priority 2 services (Internal Connections and Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections). An approved technology

plan sets out how information technology and telecommunications infrastructure will be used to achieve educational

goals, specific curriculum reforms, or library service improvements.

A technology plan designed to improve education should cover the entire funding year (July 1 to June 30) but not

more than three years. The plan must contain the following elements:

Goals and realistic strategy for using telecommunications and information technology

A professional development strategy

An assessment of telecommunication services, hardware, software, and other services needed

Ongoing evaluation process

Policies

The technology plan must be approved by a USAC-certified technology plan approver before discounted services

can begin. The state is the certified technology plan approver for libraries and public schools. www.usac.org,

August, 2011.

Charter Name: Bear Grass Charter School

Charter Number: 58B

Principal’s Name: Donna Moore

Principal’s Signature:

Local Board Chair’s Name: Delmas Cumbee

Local Board Chair’s Signature:

Person of Contact: Donna Moore

Telephone: (252) 789-1010

Contact Email: [email protected]

http://www.usac.org/

2

Bear Grass Charter School Technology Plan

2014-2016

Draft November 2013

Final July 2014

3

Table of Contents

Vision Page 5

Strategic Priorities Overview Page 6

Priority 1: Shared Services Model Page 7

Priority 2: Universal Access to Personal Teaching and Learning Devices Page 11

Priority 3: Access to Digital Teaching and Learning Resources, Including Digital

Textbooks Page 14

Priority 4: Model of Technology-Enabled Professional Development Page 17

Priority 5: 21st Century Leadership for Your LEA Page 21

Appendices Page 24

4

Bear Grass Charter School

Technology Committee

Member Job Title/Position

Donna Moore Principal

Charlotte Griffin Director, Charter School Board

Brittany Cobb Teacher

Richard Weir Teacher

James Coda Teacher

Karen Coltrain Media Coordinator

Matt Kalmowitz IT Coordinator

Frank Beck Community Volunteer

Alan Harrison IT Consultant

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Bear Grass Charter School

Technology Plan

2014-2016

Vision Statement

Vision Statement

The vision of Bear Grass Charter School is to provide an educational environment that promotes

the use of technology resources to enhance the quality of life of all students by ensuring they

possess the competencies to achieve success in a global economy.

6


Strategic Priorities

2014 - 2016

Strategic Priorities Overview:

It is the responsibility of Bear Grass Charter School leadership to provide the best strategic plans

to ensure equity is achieved using State School Technology Funds, other state funds, federal

funds, and local funds, the Constitution of the State of North Carolina, in Article VII, mandates

that“...equal opportunities shall be provided for all students.”

In order to develop the BGCS’s 2-year strategic plan for the integration of technology in all

aspects of the education environment the following strategic priorities and goals were utilized:

Shared Services Model for Platforms and Infrastructure

- Utilize the School Connectivity Initiative (Shared Services - NCREN)

Universal Access to Personal Teaching and Learning Devices

- Develop a sustainable funding formula and implementation plan for personal teacher

and learner devices. (1:1 BGCS Initiative)

Access to Digital Teaching and Learning Resources, Including Digital Textbooks

- Utilize available digital teaching and learning resources provided by NCDPI and

other entities. (BGCS currently utilizes e-textbooks)

Model of Technology-Enabled Professional Development

- Provide innovative professional development that promotes technology-enabled

instruction.

21st Century Leadership for Bear Grass Charter School

- Develop partnerships with state and local leaders that foster 21st century teaching and

learning.

7

Strategic Priority 1: A Statewide Shared Services Model

Current Status and Moving Forward:

Bear Grass Charter School currently participates in the School Connectivity Initiative by taking

advantage of the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN) and the tools and

services provided by MCNC such as firewall, web security. By electing shared services such as

internet connectivity the school is able reduce cost plus obtain a level of consultative service that

has been useful in determining our technology needs both during start-up in 2012 and as the

school completes its second year of operation.

Moving forward, Bear Grass Charter School would like to identify and participate in other

shared services available from NCDPI and other vendors offering these types of discounted

services such as NC Wise Owl and NCED-Cloud. BGCS will continue to strive to incorporate

cost effective solutions for learning through technology resources.

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Using the chart below, briefly describe/explain how your LEA/Charter plan will utilize and align with the strategies in place in other

plans/ initiatives being implemented in your LEA.

Alignment to Other Plans and Initiatives:

Strategic Priority 1: A Statewide Shared Services Model

Bear Grass Charter School will utilize and align with the following key initiatives/plans to reach for the vision and complete the strategic priorities

of our plan...

ACRE

By participating in the shared services model offerings, BGCS will better prepare for the transition to online assessments, digital textbooks and

universal access to personal teaching devices.

Career and College Ready, Set, Go!

Put more technology into the hands of students and teachers to increase individualized learning options

Home Base Implementation

BGCS will continue to implement all aspects of Home Base and provide professional development to all teachers

Other LEA initiatives/plans


1. Statewide Shared Services Model

Goals should be precise and measurable. See notes/guidelines regarding evaluation.

Suggested Goals/Targets Year 1

July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015

Year 2

July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016

Yearly Evaluation

Evaluation

Method(s) DPI Use

Provide equitable and

additional access to mobile

devices

Provide 1:1 computing devices

for all students in grades 6-12.

(Charter Board and Technology

Committee)

Continue to provide computing

devices for all students in grades

6-12 as well as implementing a

BYOD policy


Committee)

AMTR

9

Provide equitable and

additional access to digital

resources

Research the benefits of utilizing

NC Wise Owl and educational

Apps as digital resources for

faculty and students.

(Technology Committee)

Research the benefits of utilizing

NC Wise Owl and educational

Apps as digital resources for

faculty and students.


Student and

teacher

feedback

Reduce operating costs by

facilitating a more strategic

budgeting model utilizing

blended funding and reducing

isolated programmatic

spending

Evaluate the way funding is

currently being utilized to

achieve the technology goals of

the school and determine if new

processes can be implemented to

improve and optimize spending

based on available resources.


Committee)

Evaluate the way funding is

currently being utilized to achieve

the technology goals of the school

and determine if new processes

can be implemented to improve

and optimize spending based on

available resources.


Committee)

Expenditure

Reports

Cost-Benefit

Analysis

Promote/maintain innovative

funding model by utilizing

NCEdCloud offerings, Home

Base and/or comparable

alternatives

Research/Evaluate/Purchase if

feasible and beneficial NCEd-

Cloud Services


Research/Evaluate/Purchase if

feasible and beneficial NCEd-

Cloud Services


NCEd-Cloud

Opt-in

Agreements

Maximize E-Rate in support of

instructional programs

Continue to monitor E-Rate 2.0

eligible services guidelines for

potential Funding Requests

including potential Broadband

eligible services and equipment


Continue to monitor E-Rate 2.0

eligible services guidelines for

potential Funding Requests

including potential Broadband

eligible services and equipment


Eligibility for

E-Rate

Funding

10

Provide content filtering in

accordance with the Children's

Internet Protection Act (CIPA).

Continue to provide content

filtering through MCNC


Research the use of the NCED-

Cloud for content filtering;

continue using current content

filter.


MCNC

Agreement

Filtering

Reports

11

Strategic Priority 2: Universal Access to Personal Teaching and Learning

Devices

Bear Grass Charter School currently provides universal access to personal teaching and learning

devices to all teachers and students so there is full integration of technology in the curriculum.

BGCS has provided netbooks to all students in grades 6-10, tablets for grades 11-12 and

laptop/docking stations for all teachers. In order to achieve this 1:1 computing initiative the

school elected to provide a full wireless campus available to teachers, staff, students and the

community to help foster technology in the classroom.

Reviews and evaluations of our current computing infrastructure and computing devices will

drive how these systems will be provided and upgraded in the future. BGCS will continue to

strive for meeting the goals and objectives of the NC State School Technology Plan.

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Strategic Priority 2: Universal Access to Personal Teaching and Learning Devices

Bear Grass Charter School will utilize and align with the following key initiatives/plans to reach for the vision and complete the strategic

priorities of our plan...

ACRE

Evaluate and update technology infrastructure needed to support curriculum


Provide resources and tools to better develop students to be globally competitive lifelong learners.

Home Base Implementation

Continue to provide technology and professional development resources needed to achieve the objectives of Home Base



Priority 2: Universal Access to Personal Teaching and Learning Devices



July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015

Year 2

July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016

Yearly Evaluation

Evaluation

Method(s) DPI Use

Develop a comprehensive

sustainable Charter plan for

universal access. Resources:

NCDPI, NCLTI, Educator

Effectiveness, and District &

School Transformation

Further develop, implement and

modify a plan for universal

access to digital learning devices.


Further develop, implement and

modify a plan for universal access

to digital learning devices.


AMTR

NCLTI Self-

Assessment

13

Communicate your plan to all

stakeholders.

Share all aspects of the plan at

school sponsored meetings and

make the plan available at the

school and on school website so

all stakeholders have access for

review.


Share all aspects of the plan at

school sponsored meetings and

make the plan available at the

school and on school website so

all stakeholders have access for

review.


STNA

Public

Meeting

Minutes

Website

Increase overall access to

personal learning devices.

Continue to provide devices to all

staff and students.

(Board and Technology

Committee)

Continue to provide devices to all

staff and students.

(Board and Technology

Committee)

AMTR

STNA

Utilize Personal Learning

Devices to promote student

owned learning.

Continue to provide professional

development to staff to promote

the use of technology in the

classroom.

(Principal and Technology

Committee)

Continue to provide professional

development to staff to promote

the use of technology in the

classroom.

(Principal and Technology

Committee)

Local

professional

development

plan

14

Strategic Priority 3: Statewide Access to Digital Teaching and Learning

Resources, Including Digital Textbooks


Bear Grass Charter School currently provides e-textbooks for approximately 80-85% of all

courses offered at the school. The e-textbooks were the most feasible option for the school

during initial start-up in August of 2012. However, e-textbooks are not without technology

challenges which drive the decision making process for device selection as well as e-textbook

selection. There are trade-offs to every device and e-textbook. Due to some of these challenges

and internet connectivity at home BGCS purchased textbooks and e-textbooks on a 6 year

contract term. This gives the teachers and students the flexibility they need to be successful in

the classroom and at home.

BGCS will continue monitoring and evaluating e-textbook development and the platforms in

which e-textbooks operate. BGCS will also research digital teaching and learning resources that

are available to supplement the traditional textbook and now e-textbooks. Some of the learning

resources that BGCS will consider include NC Wise Owl and Discovery Education.

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Strategic Priority 3: Statewide Access to Digital Teaching and Learning Resources, Including Digital Textbooks



ACRE

Update the analysis of the technology infrastructure needed to support a 21st century curriculum and assessment system and to move additional

testing to appropriate technology formats. This analysis will allow the transition from a paper-based assessment system to one that takes greater

advantage of technology.


Increase virtual learning opportunities so every child no matter where they live can reach his or her potential. Put more technology into the

hands of students and teachers to increase individualized learning options.

School Initiative

Provide and support student, teacher, administrator access to Learner Management System, Learning Object Repository, and web collaboration

tools. Ensure teachers and staff understand the new Standard Course of Study, including the Common Core and Essential Standards, and

related assessments.



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3: Statewide Access to Digital Teaching and Learning Resources, Including Digital Textbooks



July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015

Year 2

July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016

Yearly Evaluation

Evaluation

Methods(s) DPI Use

Continue to transition from

traditional print and paper-

based resources to current,

affordable online resources

Continue to utilize both

traditional textbooks and e-

textbooks.

(Principal, Assistant Principal,

Technology committee)

Continue to utilize both

traditional textbooks and e-

textbooks.

(Principal, Assistant Principal,

Technology committee)

STNA

Utilize procured resources such

as NC WiseOwl, Home Base

and other open education

resources

Research and evaluate NC

WiseOwl, Google Apps, Home

Base, Edmodo and other digital

resources available from the state

and outside vendors.


Procure and implement NC

WiseOwl, Google Apps, Home

Base, Edmodo and other digital

resources available from the state

and outside vendors.


STNA

AMTR

Use digital content aligned

specifically to Common Core

and NC Essential Standards

Utilize Learn NC/NC WiseOWL

and other resources and digital

assessment tools.

(Technology Committee and

Teachers)

Utilize Learn NC/NC WiseOWL

and other resources and digital

assessment tools.

(Technology Committee and

Teachers)

STNA

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Strategic Priority 4: A Statewide Model of Technology-Enabled Professional

Development


Bear Grass Charter School promotes digital teaching and learning. Currently, BGCS provides

net books and / or tablets to all students and teachers are provided with laptops. Students have

access to hard copy and electronic textbooks. BGCS offers a STEM lab through Paxton and

Patterson. The program delivers a contemporary curriculum of technological content and

scientific inquiry through a balanced use of multimedia, video and hands-on activities. BGCS

recognizes the importance of building 21st century skills. Web-based collaborative resources

such as Edmodo, Padlet, Kahan Academy, Rubistar, etc. are utilized as instructional tools. We

believe increasingly that digital learning is no longer something that needs to be integrated into

traditional school environments, but rather, it is the goal for how all schools need to operate on a

day to day basis. From equipment acquisition to curriculum design and implementation, our

digital learning and 21st century skills resources can help you successfully transition to a digital

learning environment. We strive to increase student engagement and achievement with

innovative, cutting edge resources and practices. Administrators and staff seek out opportunities

to attend and deliver effective professional development to ensure that we possess the

competencies to achieve success in a global economy.

18




Strategic Priority 4: A Statewide Model of Technology-Enabled Professional Development



ACRE

Create a comprehensive, customized professional development system to provide teachers and administrators with the skills and

understandings needed to use data to inform instructional practice and make formative assessments a daily practice in the classroom.


Increase the use of technology for providing professional development opportunities for teachers.

School Initiative

Provide professional development to all levels at the school on supporting and evaluating the 1:1 initiative.



4: A Statewide Model of Technology-Enabled Professional Development



July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015

Year 2

July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016

Yearly Evaluation

Evaluation

Method(s) DPI Use

Implement a plan for

embedded technology-enabled

professional development for

teachers and administrators.

Implement annual calendar of

professional development that

supports a technology-enabled

environment.


Implement annual calendar of

professional development that

supports a technology-enabled

environment.


STNA

19

Support models that assist all

school personnel in creating

technology-enabled instruction

that transforms educational

practice and improves student

learning

Continue providing a 1:1

computing initiative.


Continue providing a 1:1

computing initiative.


STNA

Prepare media specialists and

instructional technology

facilitators to support digital

reform.

Provide professional

development opportunities for

the media coordinator and IT

position.

(Principal)

Provide professional development

opportunities for the media

coordinator and IT position.

(Principal)

Training Plan

Deliver Common Core and

Essential Standards training to

teachers using integrated

technology as a model for

further classroom integration.


development opportunities

through available state resources

and private entities.

(Principal)


opportunities through available

state resources and private

entities.

(Principal)

Training Plan

Prepare staff for online

assessment delivery.

Provide training in online testing

including the IIS.

(Principal)

Provide training in online testing

including the IIS.

(Principal)

Training Plan

Prepare students for online

assessment delivery.

Provide online assessment

training for students.

(Principal, Teachers)

Provide online assessment

training for students.

(Principal, Teachers)

Testing

Calendar

Online

Testing

Results

20

Provide ongoing support and

professional development

necessary for use of data to

inform instruction.


development opportunities

through available state resources

and private entities.

(Principal)


opportunities through available

state resources and private

entities.

(Principal)

Training Plan

STNA

Provide support for teacher

and administrator progress

and evaluation according to

MCREL standards.

Provide training in MCREL

standards.

(Principal)

Provide training in MCREL

standards.

(Principal)

PowerSchool

21

Strategic Priority 5: 21st Century Leadership for All Schools and Districts

Current Status/Moving Forward:

Bear Grass Charter School’s leaders are prepared to lead and create a vision for 21st century

education. As leaders we will prepare our students to be successful, contributing citizens in the

context of today’s global society. Plans are being developed to reach for the vision and implement

21st century learning objectives. BGCS administrators seek out professional development

opportunities to prepare teachers to create 21st century learning environments.

22

Briefly describe/explain how your LEA/Charter plan will utilize and align with the strategies in place in other plans/ initiatives being

implemented in your LEA.


Strategic Priority 5: 21st Century Leadership for All Schools and Districts



ACRE

Provide professional development customized to the needs of teachers and administrators.


Increase the use of technology for providing professional development opportunities for teachers.

School Initiative

Provide professional development that is consistent with our charter school goals, curriculum and technology.


5: 21st Century Leadership for All Schools and Districts



July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015

Year 2

July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016

Yearly Evaluation

Evaluation

Method(s) DPI Use

Create and lead a vision for 21st

century education

Establish a work group to review

and develop a plan for 21st

century education.

(Board, Principal, Teachers)

Continually improve the plan for

21st century education.

(Board, Principal, Teachers)

STNA

23

Create 21st century learning

environments

Identify what a 21st century

environment looks like and

develop a plan to train and

educate teachers.

(Board and Principal)

Provide resources to achieve 21st

century learning environments.


Training

Resources

STNA

Prepare teachers and

administrators to lead 21st

century learning environments

Identify all available professional

development opportunities that

assist the teachers in achieving

21st century learning

environments.

(Board, Principal)

Identify all available professional

development opportunities that

assist the teachers in achieving

21st century learning

environments.

(Board, Principal)

Training

Resources

STNA

Develop strategic partnerships

with community and business

to promote 21st Century

learning.

Identify and utilize all available

community and business

resources that can assist with

implementing 21st century

learning objectives.


Identify and utilize all available

community and business

resources that can assist with

implementing 21st century

learning objectives.


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Appendix A: Policies and Procedures


Policy, Procedure, & Guidelines Implementation Chart

Policies, Procedures, & Guidelines

All Policies, procedures and guidelines should be updated to include the fundamentals

of 21st Century Education and Information & Technology Essential Standards.

Policies should be translated into predominant languages of students and parents.

Policies, procedures and guidelines should be displayed along with the STP and other

referenced LEA/Charter plans. Make sure links have navigations that are user friendly.

LEA Policy

Code or

Procedure

LEA

Adoption,

Implementati

on or

Revision

Date

Policies (Required)

A. Materials Selection Policy including internet resources (GS §115c-98(b)) In Progress In Progress

B. Disposal of Equipment / Replacement of Obsolete Equipment (GS §115c-518) In Progress In Progress

C. Hardware and Software Procurement (GS § 115c-522, 115c-522.1) In Progress In Progress

D. Copyright and Plagiarism Policy (PL §94-553, 90 Stat. 2541), In Progress In Progress

E. Acceptable Use Policy (PL §106-554) (including existing 1:1, bring your own device) In Progress In Progress

F. Equipment/Materials Donation Policy (GS §115C-518) In Progress In Progress

G. Data Privacy Policy (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99 (FERPA)) In Progress In Progress

H. Inventory Control Policy (GS §115c-539, 115c-102.6A-C(5)) In Progress In Progress

I. Access to Services Policy (GS §115c-106.2) In Progress In Progress

J. Online Assessment and Instruction Policy In Progress In Progress

K. Advertising and Commercialism Policy (GS §115c-98) (Procurement and gifts ethics) In Progress In Progress

L. Internet Safety and Ethical Use including Cyberbullying and Harassment

(Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act, CIPA, FERPA, GS 115C-407) In Progress In Progress

M. (Locally identified policies) In Progress In Progress

Procedures

A. Hardware and Software Deployment August 2012

B. Equipment maintenance and repairs August 2012

C. Outdated Resources and Equipment Replacement August 2012

D. Disaster Recovery of Data and Hardware August 2012

E. Administration of Online Courses In Progress

F. Administration of Online Assessment In Progress

G. (Locally identified procedures) In Progress

Guidelines

A. Policy Translation In Progress

B. Use of Digital Media and Resources August 2013

C. Instructional Use of Videos August 2013

D. Development of Online Resources In Progress

E. (Locally identified guidelines) In Progress

http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/enactedlegislation/statutes/pdf/bysection/chapter_115c/gs_115c-98.pdf



http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/enactedlegislation/statutes/pdf/bysection/chapter_115c/gs_115c-522.1.pdf

http://www.copyright.gov/title17/circ92.pdf

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-106publ554/pdf/PLAW-106publ554.pdf


http://ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/finrule/2004-2/042104a.pdf

http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_115C/GS_115C-539.pdf

http://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bysection/chapter_115c/gs_115c-102.6a.html

http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_115C/GS_115C-106.2.html


http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0819/FCC-11-125A1.pdf

http://www.usac.org/sl/applicants/step10/cipa.aspx

http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html

http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2009/Bills/Senate/PDF/S526v5.pdf

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