technology plan update 4-15-12

7/29/2019 Technology Plan Update 4-15-12

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Technology Plan UpdateBy: Ryan Land/Brant Murry

Narrative:

Calhoun City Schools is a small, rural school system in NW GA. We have

approximately 3550 students and 4 schools. We have roughly 1200

desktops/laptops, 300 iPads, and many other servers, printers, softwares and

wireless access points. Calhoun City Schools Technology Plan was last updated on

July 1, 2009 and is currently in the final year of its projected three-year plan.

Technology changes very rapidly in todays society, so our tech department does

their best to stay as updated as possible while following the current plan. So to

clarify, our tech department does not necessarily evaluate the tech plan on an

ongoing basis; however, they evaluate and reconstruct it on a three-year cycle

consistently. Our technology plan functions as a framework in order to maximize

the efficient and effective integration of technology.

Overview of Strengths/Weaknesses of Current Plan:

Overall, our assessment of our systems technology plan yielded exemplary

results. Our technology plans vision statement, goals, objectives, professional

development of goals and activities, engaged learning goals and activities, technical

support, timeline, and acceptable use policy all exhibited exemplary results

according to the rubric we created. However, two areas that need to be addressed

are staff development and budgeting of resources. Our current model for staff

development training on specific areas of technology is properly emphasized.However, the methods of delivery fall short of an exemplary standing.

Outline of Changes:

The problem with current staff development is that it introduces the staff to

new and current technologies, but is missing the crucial next step of

implementation. In order to make our staff development truly effective, technology

trainings need to be an ongoing process. In the current model, staff members are

introduced to new technologies/software, but are often not compelled to carry it

beyond introduction. The current tech plan monitors using these methods, butseems to lack the ongoing training based on observation/evidence of strengths and

weaknesses. In order for these changes to occur, some members of the system

would have to take on the added responsibility of analyzing the evidence/data

collected on each staff member. They would also assume the responsibility of using

that data to design appropriate additional training. That is no small task, and may

even require that additions be made to the technology staff for that specific purpose.

Many of these tasks are currently the responsibility of those wearing too many hats.


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While they make the best effort and work diligently toward that end, it is a job unto

itself. If properly implemented, staff development would likely lead to a more

consistent and pervasive use of technology for all CCS employees.

In addition to improving staff development, another area that fell short of

exemplary marks was budgeting of resources. Although our system does a good job

of budgeting its resources, our findings prove that we may not be maximizing ourresources to its fullest extent. Our rubric indicates the proper amount of emphasis

is placed on budgeting for technology, and our system maximizes our monetary

resources in this area as well as possible. However, we feel more inventive methods

could be employed to overcome budgetary limitations. In several ways, this

problem is linked to the prior issue with staff development.

Detailed Explanation of Resulting Improvements:

In Staff Development:As stated above, the problem with our current model of staff development is

not whether the staff receives technological training, but rather how they are

trained on its use. In the updated tech plan, staff members would receive an initial,

introductory training on some tool/software/etc. Then each member of the staff

would participate in an ongoing, progressive training in the use/application of the

technology. Staff members proficiency with the technology would be monitored,

over a period of time, by peers and administrators. Methods for gathering evidence

of proficiency could include, but is not limited to: peer/administrator observations,

technologically infused lesson plans, and assigned professional readings. Evidence

of strong/weak use of the particular technology would be used to design additional

technological training tailored to the individual proficiency of the staff members.Then further progress monitoring would take place to assess growth.

In Budgeting of Resources:

While our school system is working on a limited budget, there may be more

effective ways to allocate those funds. Currently, it seems that much of the

technology budget is tied up in the acquisition of new and better technology. It goes

without saying that having the technology is very important. But there is also a lot

to be said for maximizing the use of technology currently in place. Perhaps, rather

than buying a slew of new ipads for students/teachers, monetary resources be put

toward the salary of someone to teach, monitor, assess, and continually train staff

members in the optimal use of current technologies. This would allow for more

thorough monitoring of how well and consistently technology is used by staff

members and thus, lead to a more productive use of monetary resources in the

technology department.


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Suggested Section for Technology Plan:

Broad-Based Support

System Tech Coordinator

-oversees the planning/integration of the CCS technology Plan

-works closely with the superintendent and other tech dept. staff to provideequitable technology access to all Calhoun City Schools students/staff

System-wide Tech Support Staff

-available to all staff members throughout the system to troubleshoot, maintain

and address general technology needs

School level Tech Specialist

-on site tech coordinator for individual school (media specialist at each school)

-serves as the liaison to the system-level tech dept.

-disseminates important tech information to staff at their respective school

Technology Better Seekers Teams

-committee of teacher-leaders at each school in the system

-meet regularly to assess tech integration at the school

-introduce other staff members to emerging/useful technologies

After reviewing the previous technology plan, administrators, media specialists,

technology personnel, system-level and building-level school improvement teams

(Better Seekers), teachers, parents, and business leaders who have a vested intere

in the Calhoun City Schools (CCS), participated in various committees and sub-

committees in determining educational goals and technology needs. These

committees included: the system leadership technology committee, system-level a

school-level administrative committees, media and technology committees at each

school, and school level parent advisory councils (school councils).

Needs Assessment:

Gap analysis is continually renewed, comparing the vision to the actuality of

technology. The Calhoun City Schools staffhas been polled as to the needs for

completing system technology goals. This selection process was based on research

the needs of the stakeholders and the community through interviews and surveys.

Gaps were identified in various technology uses and are being addressed according

in the technology plan.

The school year begins with orientation for new teachers as well as for new studen

Principals along with media specialists in the respective schools discuss the uses of

technology and the various technological amenities available. Each faculty membe

presented a handbook with information concerning available technology and its us

Parents are sent letters explaining the use of technology at school and a contract f


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permitting their student to use the Internet and software on the school LAN. The

Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is printed in teacher and student handbooks and is

published on the Web http://www.calhounschools.org. Numerous group and

individual sessions are held each year demonstrating the use of technology in the

classroom. News concerning the use of technology is emailed to each staff membeand teacher. Technology news is included in individual school newsletters sent to

parents from each school in the system.

Classes in the use of technology will be shared with all staff members. Web pages have been prepared and are updated regularly to share

technology information with Calhoun City Schools stakeholders.

System video portal showcases student work and aids teacher professionaldevelopment.

Mission

Calhoun City Schools is committed to providing current technology, quality

professional development, and reliable support to inspire all stakeholders to belifelong learners in the pursuit of excellence.

Vision

Calhoun City Schools will strive to meet our technological goals by adhering to the

following:

Continue to provide home access to staff and students with Citrix Provide professional development and drive teacher implementatio

of 21st Century skills Web 2.0, blogs, etc.

Interactive learning in ALL classrooms Wireless capabilities for professional learning of all staff at each

building Promote parent-school relations with the use of technology and

support this relationship through courses offered via Community

Education

Refresh policy for computers Regular meetings with technology committee to address system lev

technology issues

Upgrade and improve technology infrastructure Implement and maintain the components of the Thinkgate suite in

order provide benchmark data to teachers and parents for

improvement purposes

Continue to provide rigorous academic courses with the use of Plato Continue to use GA Virtual Schools for credit recovery.

Goals and Objectives Instructional Uses of Technology


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Goal 1: Calhoun City Schools educators show competency using current available

technologies to enhance classroom instruction.

Goal 2: Calhoun City Schools will enhance learning opportunities through

technological resources.

Administrative Uses of Technology

Goal 1: The Calhoun City Schools will employ technology to improve, organize a

manage system procedures.

Goal 2: The Calhoun City Schools will utilize technology to analyze and

disaggregate data for the purpose of improving academic achievement.

Parent/Community Uses of Technology

Goal 1: The Calhoun City Schools will use technology to more effectivelycommunicate with parents, community and other stakeholders.

System ReadinessGoal 1: Calhoun City Schools will provide the training necessary to implement

effective technology.

Goal 2: Calhoun City Schools will use updated technology to be effective.

**View table in Action Plan below for a detailed description of how CCS inten

to meet these goals**

Action Plan/Multi-

year Planning

Instructional Uses of Technology

Goal 1: Calhoun City Schools educators show competency using current available


Strategies Benchmarks/

Evidence

Evaluation

Plan

Budget Responsibility

List

Training and

ongoing

support usingWeb 2.0 and

other online

resources

increase

participation

by 20% eachfiscal year

Training logs

Lesson Plans

None Instructional

Tech Coaches

TeachersSchool leaders

Training and 50% Training logs None Instructional


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support of

interactive

technology

(Promethean,

Smart, StudentResponse

Systems,

Tablets)

participation

in FY 10

75%

participation

in FY 11100%

participation

in FY 12

Technology

5X5

walkthrough

forms

Tech Coaches

Teachers

School and

System level

leaders

Training and

support of

Thinkgate

Continue

100%

participation

with core

content

teachers each

year.

Training logs

Benchmarks

Data

None Instructional

Tech Coaches

Teachers

School leaders

Goal 2: Calhoun City Schools will enhance learning opportunities through

technological resources.


Evidence

Evaluation

Plan


List

Continual

development of

the Plato

Program at the

High School

Content

courses

added/revised

as needed

Program

Statistics

$50,000

projected

from state

funds

Plato Director

School

administrators

Utilize Web 2.0

and other online

resources for

instruction

increase

participation

by 20% each

fiscal year

Lesson Plan

Integration

Information

None Teachers

Instructional

Coaches

Instructional

Technology

Coaches

Maintain and

revise system-

level database

for the sharingof curriculum

planning and

instructional

resources such

as GPS Units and

Assessments.

Annual

inventory of

database

Shared Drive

Documents

show use and

updates

None Teachers

Instructional

Tech Coaches

Media Specialis


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Classroom

instruction using

interactive

technologies

Increase

percentage of

classrooms

using IWB

from 64% to75% by FY 12

Technology

Walkthroughs

using 5X5

forms

None School and

system level

leaders

Thinkgate used

for data

disaggregation

and instruction

70% of grade

levels using in

FY 10, 80% in

FY 11 and

90% in FY 12

Program used

to drive

instruction as

shown on

lesson plans

and

curriculum

map

Estimated

$50,000

Teachers

School and

system level

leaders

Administrative Uses of Technology

Goal 1: The Calhoun City Schools will employ technology to improve, organize a

manage system procedures.


Evidence

Evaluation

Plan


List

Online

registration for

in house

training

Get 80% of

all staff

members

registered

for use in FY

10; 50%

usage of

program in

FY 11; 70%

usage in FY

12

Registration

Forms for

classes

$3,500

annually

(projected)

Community

Relations

Technology

Coaches

Online current

studentregistration

updates

Program set

up in FY 10;40% usage in

FY 11; 50%

usage in FY

12

Electronic

registrationused

Estimated

$10,000

Student

InformationSpecialist

Student

Information

Clerks


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Centralized

onsite location

for new student

registration

Program set

up in FY 10;

80% usage in

FY 11; 100%

usage in FY12

Program

utilized

through

central

location

No additional

cost

(incorporated

into student

informationsystem)

Student

Information

Specialist

Student

InformationClerks

Unified

Messaging to

improve

communication

Research

other

systems

using in FY

10; Pilot

testing in FY

11; 80%

usage in FY

12

Usage of

system

Approximately

$150,000

e-rate; system

budget

Technology

Director

Technology

Coordinator

School and

System

Administrators

Goal 2: The Calhoun City Schools will utilize technology to analyze and

disaggregate data for the purpose of improving academic achievement.


Evidence

Evaluation

Plan


List

Thinkgate data

analysis used

for

disaggregation

70% of grade

levels using

in FY 10, 80%

in FY 11 and

90% in FY 12

Lesson Plans

evaluations

Approximately

$50,000

annually

Teachers

Administrators

Coaches

Infinite Campus

used to manage

student data,

parent portal,

and scheduling

Set up in FY

10; 90%

usage in FY

11; 100%

usage in FY

12

Program files

Stakeholder

comments

Approximately

$55,000

Teachers

Administrators

Student

Information

Specialist

Student

Information

Clerks


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Utilize new IEP

program

within Infinite

Campus for

students withdisabilities.

Purchase and

train in FY

10;

implement &

assessbenefits of in

FY 11 &12

Feedback

from

teachers

Included in

Infinite

Campus

Purchase

Special

Education

Director

Federal

ProgramsDirector

Special

Education

teachers

Parent/Community Uses of TechnologyGoal 1: The Calhoun City Schools will use technology to more effectively

communicate with parents, community and other stakeholders.


Evidence

Evaluation

Plan


List

Parents trained

on using new

parent portal

(Infinite

Campus)

25%

participation

in FY 10; 40%

participation

in FY 11; 60%

participation

in FY 12

Training logs None Instructional

Technology

Coaches

Administrators

Student

Information

Specialist

Parents using

Infinite Campus

parent portal to

access grades

and attendance

50%

accessing in

FY 10; 65% in

FY 11; 80% in

FY 12

Parent usage

and feedback

(incorporated

into student

information

system)

System ReadinessGoal 1: Calhoun City Schools will provide the training necessary to implement

effective technology.

Strategies Benchmark/

Evidence

Evaluation

Plan


List


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Professional

Development

opportunities

will be provided

to enhancetechnology

integration into

daily classroom

instruction.

100% of all

teachers

attending at

least one

technologytraining per

year.

Technology

Walkthroughs

None Building

administrators

System

administrators

Align

technology-

based training

initiatives

directly with

school

improvementgoals

95% of all

trainings

directly

aligned with

school

improvement

goals.

Training

evaluations

None Technology

Coaches

School Level

Leadership

teams

Increase

integration of

technology in

daily

instruction;

continually

evaluate and

assess teacher

training and

student /teacher

utilization

In classroom

with available

technologies,

50% of daily

instruction

utilizes

technology in

FY 10; 60% in

FY 11; 70% in

FY 12

Lesson Plans

Technology

Walkthroughs

Teacher

Evaluations

None Building and

system level

administrators

Technology

Coaches

Goal 2: Calhoun City Schools will use updated technology to be effective.


Evidence

Evaluation

Plan


List

Develop and

implement a

rotation plan

for replacingoutdated

computer

equipment

Develop

rotation plan in

FY 10; begin

implementationin FY 11;

continue in FY

12

State

Technology

Inventory

Report

$20,000

annually

(estimated)

Technology

Director

Technology

Specialist


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Create and

utilize a system

video portal

Create and

make

assessable in FY

10; continue to

improve andmaintain in FY

11 & FY 12

Feedback $10,000

(estimated)

Technology

Director

Program Integration

State-mandated Teacher Evaluation (Class Keys) :

The implementation of this tech plan allows CCS teachers to satisfynumerous professional evaluation standards.

Special education management uses IEP Online:

Legal documentation of Special Education information is done electronicallyin accordance with state and federal guidelines.

Maintain and revise system-level database for the sharing of curriculum planning a

instructional resources such as GPS Units and Assessments:

There is an annual inventory of the database to ensure that the systemshared drive reflects regular use and updating (particularly with

curriculum/lesson plan sharing among staff members to ensure GPS

standards based instruction)

Curriculum

Integration

Calhoun City Schools will enhance learning opportunities through technological

resources.

STRATEGY EVALUATION PLAN

Continual development of the Plato

Program at the High School

Program Statistics

Utilize Web 2.0 and other online

resources for instruction

Lesson Plan Integration Information

Maintain and revise system-level

database for the sharing of curriculum

planning and instructional resources

such as GPS Units and Assessments.

Shared Drive Documents show use and

updates

Classroom instruction using interactivetechnologies

Technology Walkthroughs using 5X5forms

Thinkgate used for data disaggregation

and instruction

Program used to drive instruction as

shown on lesson plans and curriculum

map


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Evaluation

Calhoun City Schools educators show competency using current available


STRATEGY EVALUATION PLAN

Training and ongoing support usingWeb 2.0 and other online resources

Training logsLesson Plans Individualized training

based on observations/lesson plans

Training and support of interactive

technology (Promethean, Smart,

Student Response Systems, Tablets)

Training logs

Technology 5X5 walkthrough forms

Individualized training based on

observations/lesson plans

Training and support of Thinkgate Training logs Benchmarks Data

Standards

System employees and high school students have remote access to the systemsnetwork via a Citrix server and Calhoun City Schools Information Delivery System

(IDS). A system survey determined that approximately 85% of students have

computer access outside the school.

All classroom, lab, and media center workstations are connected to the Internet, a

have access to on-line library catalog and other databases/resources such as

GALILEO, GSIS, Facts On File, Infotrack, NetTrekker, and Microsoft Office Suite. Oth

curriculum specific databases and software are available, such as Kidspiration /

Inspiration, Open Book, Brain Pop, Education City, Study Island, Time Liner, and

Renaissance Learning Products. Calhoun Primary and Elementary Schools each hav

a general computer lab staffed by a technology paraprofessional. Calhoun Middlehas one computer lab teacher while Calhoun High has three.

Everyone using the Calhoun City System LAN has access to technology, the WAN, a

the Internet. The system was found to be on target as far as fulfilling the goals of

purchasing the technology and software selected by system members through the

technology plan. The system would benefit by increasing the number of wireless

access points throughout the buildings.

Funding AlternativesMany local businesses and industries are Partners in Education with the schools inthe system. These partners have provided monetary support in the purchase of

technical equipment. In addition, Calhoun City Schools will vigorously pursue any

technology grants that offer funding.

School Pilot

Projects/Educational

Calhoun City Schools has purchased ipads for instructional/administrative use

Along with that technology CCS is piloting a system for cloud computing. The


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Research program is in the trial phase as we work to ensure its reliability for meeting the

demands of our system. If adopted, the cloud storage of necessary applications

would free up significant space on CCS servers. This reduction in storage on CC

servers could save the system money that goes toward maintenance.

In recent years CCS has piloted the use of google docs for administrative

functions such as file sharing, email, internal communication, document

management, etc. We are currently using Citrix for these purposes on a wide

scale across the school system. As the current tech plan is revisited, CCS will

compare/contrast the effectiveness/efficiency of each program for our purpose

Model Classroom

Configurations

The elementary school and the primary school are very close to having interactive

whiteboards in every classroom. It is a goal of the system to finish this 21st

century

vision that was started several years ago. The middle school and high school still ha

several classrooms that need to be equipped with interactive technology. The syste

would like to see all CCS classrooms using interactive whiteboards along with othe21

stcentury technologies for daily instruction.

Facilities

Calhoun City Schools is in a period of transition as the middle and high school a

in the building phase. The new middle/high school complex should be complet

by the summer of 2013. The building project could present several difficulties

the integration of our technology plan as we transition between facilities. By th

same token, the new facilities will increase the technological readiness of both

the middle and high schools. Currently, the older/outdated facilities present

numerous problems for the implementation of our tech plan.

Maintenance/Support

With the initial goals of equipment and software in place, the upkeep and

replacement of worn or dated equipment and software will ever be present and

require monetary support by the system. Equipment should be replaced on a time

rotation schedule.

Software Agreements

Students use Kidspiration/Inspiration for brainstorming and organizing. Thinkgate suite is used to analyze benchmark, standardized, classroom test College preparation is available through SAT online at the high school level. Interactive whiteboards, laptops, and data projectors are used for classroom

presentations and instruction.

USAPrep Online is used for remedial classes (REP) in high school. Plato is used to reclaim credit in high school. Reading and math instruction is supported by the use of Renaissance Learn

products, such as Accelerated Reader, Acclerated Math, STAR Reading and

STAR Math.

Skills Tutor, an online prescriptive and skills-enhancing software for middle


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and high school students in the core curriculum is used.

Student response systems are used in all schools for immediate feedback. Exam View is used for classroom assessment at the high school. Teachers strive to integrate technology into classroom instruction by utilizin

on-line resources, software, and peripheral hardware. Teachers and staff use the production tools Microsoft Office Suite, Noteboo

10, ActivStudio, and ActivPrimary to organize and present instruction.

Parent grading portal is the newest addition in May 2009. Parents have accto their childs academic records.

Copyright/Acceptable

Use Policy

Calhoun City Schools Acceptable Use Policy

The Calhoun City School system employs computers as one way of enhancing its

mission to teach the skills, knowledge, and behaviors students will need as success

and responsible adults in the community as a whole. The school systems computeprovide unequaled opportunities to explore and use a varied and exciting set of

resources including computer programs, CDs, and the Internet. In order to make

these resources available to everyone, the school system expects, in return, that

people who use the schools computers will do so in a way that is consistent with it

educational mission. All users: students, faculty, staff, or community members wh

utilize our technology are required to sign an assurance to abide by the rules of thi

usage.

Gifts and Disposal **See Funding Alternatives section above**

Staff Development

Professional development is important to Calhoun City Schools. Most of the

professional development offered will be in-house trainings. Calhoun City Schools i

fortunate to have in-house training experts that provide quality training and follow

up after trainings. Technology coaches and/or key teachers may attend specific

trainings as needs arise and then redeliver training to other educators within the

system.

Staff development is needed to bring about successful implementation of Infinite

Campus. All employees and parents will be introduced to Infinite Campus and train

in the appropriate areas. Continue to support teachers, administrators and key

personnel in the utilization of Thinkgate, a data analysis software which

disaggregates and analyzes student data and acts as a diagnostic and prescriptivetool.

Special education teachers participate in training updates through RESA, ETTC a

GPAT. Teachers are continuously exploring new avenues to provide technological

support to meet the individual needs of students. As new software, or new

specialized equipment are introduced, key teachers are trained in usage and upkee


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An adaptive technology committee continually evaluates equipment for special

needs students.

Staff development is provided for students and teachers in the overall curricular

specific usages of interactive whiteboard tools. Technology coaches continuallyprovide whiteboard instruction and support. Experienced teachers are used to assi

and mentor teachers as additional classrooms are equipped.

Technology assistance and training are offered to Calhoun City Schools personnel

throughout the year. Professional Learning Days (PLDs) are an integral part of the

Calhoun City Schools calendar. During these days a variety of courses are offered t

enrich teachers and classified staffs utilization of technology. Technology coaches

work with media specialists to research and strive to keep abreast of offerings in

order to support the curriculum.