Narragansett School System Technology Plan

Adopted: March 21, 2001 Revised: January 2001

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

David G. Andrews – Superintendent of Schools

Roland Lambert – District technology Coordinator

Derek Emery – Assistant District Technology Coordinator

Susan Naysnerski – Elementary School Technology Coordinator

Holly Walsh – Pier School Enrichment

Lewis Collier – Elementary School Parent

Ann Hohman - Elementary School Teacher

Pat Harrison – Elementary School Librarian

Mark Gunning – Special Services Director

Lennon Schroeder – Pier School Teacher

Carol Batchelder – Elementary School Teacher

Myrna Cole – High School Teacher

Maureen Dodge – Elementary School Teacher

Donna Good – High School Librarian

Carol Prest – Elementary School Teacher

Ann Masterson – School Committee

Table of Contents

I. Purpose and Vision Statement

Committee Members 1

Mission Statement 3

II. Goal and Tactics

Goals and Tactics 4

Action Plans 5-13

IV. Staff Development Strategy

Suggested Staff Applications for Implementation of Technology Goals 14

Planning Process for Staff Training and Development 15

Needs Assessment Strategies 16

Staff Development Models 16

NARRAGANSETT PUBLIC SCHOOLS TECHNOLOGY PLAN

I. Purpose and Mission Statement

INTRODUCTION

We have combined the work of the District Technology Committee with the recent efforts of the committees from the three schools to establish the Technology Plan for the Narragansett School System. This plan conveys our vision statement, our goals and tactics in technology and our K-12 instructional goals as they relate to technology skills. Through this plan we would hope to provide equitable access district wide to the use of technology to enable students to become lifelong learners. Technology in this context includes computer, telephone, electrical, data, and video systems designed and networked, when feasible, to enhance our district's communication, information processing and productivity needs.  This plan will provide a guideline for working directly with the developing technology standards in education.

Technology continues to be a driver of change in all areas of our lives at both work and at home. In Education we must analyze the dynamic nature of today's technology and integrate it with the way we educate to achieve our goals. First and foremost is the critical need for students to be able to access information, manipulate data, mold concepts and creatively express ideas to others using video, text and audio media. We must provide and maintain an appropriate infrastructure for the technology to work on, now and in the future. The students must also have the skills to use both general and educational software in order to integrate the technology with their regular classroom learning. This will ultimately provide for greater student achievement in the education process.

Secondly, technology can be used as an administrative tool for assessment of individual and overall progress. This is especially important as teachers begin to use performance-based assessment to continuously improve the students' learning. We must continue to monitor progress that we have or have not made in order to make the appropriate adjustments in our planning. 

The three individual building technology plans have been appended to the end of this document to reflect the status of technology at the respective building level. As these plans are updated their format will be aligned with that of the District Plan.

Goals and Tactics

1) Establish a network and hardware infrastructure capable of improving the quality and rigor of teaching and learning for all students and adults as supported by the District and building technology goals.

a) The District will provide access to the district network and the Internet at each workstation.

b) The District will provide users with access to the district network and the Internet.

2) Technology will be an integrated part of every curriculum area and used as an essential tool for reaching high student achievement in grades K-12.

a) The District will develop rigorous, flexible student-centered programs, which meet the individual learning needs of all students and respond to their diversity.

b) The District will develop and maintain on-going staff development in technology to keep our educators directly involved in the process.

c) The District will develop ongoing assessments of students, program staff, and methods that provide for instruction/program modification and recognition of different levels of student achievement.

3) The integration of appropriate technology curriculum will be put in place to nurture a foundation of basic student skills in applying technology throughout the curriculum in grades K-12.

a) The District will develop a standards-based technology curriculum in grades K-12 that incorporates performance-based activities and uses alternative forms of assessment (including rubrics, traditional tests, and portfolios).

4) Technology will be used as an integral tool in facilitating communication among the administration, faculty, students, parents, and community at large.

a) The District will develop alliances and improve relations with parents, School Committee, community, and local businesses to help our district become a leader in education.

5) Appropriate Technology human resources will be in place to support all goals and tactics as identified in the technology plan.

a) The District Technology Team will establish an appropriate district based technology budget to support the human resources needed for the integration of technology allowing flexibility for future changes. These resources will be necessary for supporting the curriculum in the individual schools, the network infrastructure, and management and up-keep of mail server and WAN.

b) The District will support an effort to establish a CISCO Academy at Narragansett High School in order to bring technical support resources to the system.

Action Plans

Goal 1 - Establish a network and hardware infrastructure capable of improving the quality and rigor of teaching and learning for all students and adults as supported by the District and building technology goals.

Tactic a) The District will provide access to the district network and the Internet at each workstation.

Step #	Action Step	Assigned To	Start Date	Due Date	Date Completed	Cost
1	Every building will be wired sufficiently to the district's voice and data network standard, thereby allowing for access to the network from any classroom and or workstation in the District.	District Technology Team (DTT)	9/96	ASAP	6/2000	$60,000
2	Maintain District network and upgrade as necessary	DTT		Ongoing		$100/drop
3	Each network computer will be equipped with management, communications and application software.	DTT	Ongoing	Ongoing	Ongoing	Dynamic
4	Every school will be provided with at least the equivalent of one computer lab consisting of 25 computers with larger schools being provided with multiple labs if deemed necessary.	DTT	9/97	ASAP	6/99	$169,000
5	Each school will be provided with sufficient hardware peripherals (printers, scanners, cameras, etc.) to support the educational program.	DTT	9/97	Ongoing	Ongoing	Dynamic
6	Establish a district wide leasing program to provide computers in each classroom in every building to be implemented over a 3-year schedule.	DTT	10/00	9/01		To Be Determined
7	Continue to upgrade and maintain all networked computers.	DTT	Ongoing	Ongoing	Ongoing	Dynamic
8	Continue to upgrade software as necessary.	DTT	Ongoing	Ongoing	Ongoing	Dynamic

Action Plans (cont.)

Goal 1 - Establish a network and hardware infrastructure capable of improving the quality and rigor of teaching and learning for all students and adults as supported by the District and building technology goals.

b) Tactic b) The District will provide users with access to the district network and the Internet.

Step #	Action Step	Assigned To	Start Date	Due Date	Date Completed	Cost
1	We will provide email accounts for all staff in the district.	DTT	9/93	Ongoing	Ongoing	$7,500 per year
2	We will provide a network user ID for all staff in the district.	DTT	9/99	Ongoing	Ongoing	?
3	We will provide staff members with introductory training in networked systems and use of basic network software.	DTT	9/98	Ongoing	Ongoing	?
4
5
6

Action Plans (cont.)

Goal 2 - Technology will be an integrated part of every curriculum area and used as an essential tool for reaching high student achievement in grades K-12.

Tactic a) The District will develop rigorous, flexible student-centered programs, which meet the individual learning needs of all students and respond to their diversity.

Step #	Action Step	Assigned To	Start Date	Due Date	Date Completed	Cost
1	Establish a plan through individual building Technology Committees to integrate technology into the standard curriculum.	Building Technology Team (BTT)	9/2000	Ongoing	Ongoing	?
2	Building Technology Coordinators work directly with teachers to develop programs that integrate technology into the curriculum.	Building Technology Coordinator (BTC)	9/96	Ongoing	Ongoing	$6,000 (subs)
3	Review and update the District Plan yearly.	DTT	9/2000	Annually	Ongoing	Ø
4
5
6

Action Plans (cont.)

Goal 2 - Technology will be an integrated part of every curriculum area and used as an essential tool for reaching high student achievement in grades K-12.

Tactic b) The District will develop and maintain on-going staff development in technology to keep our educators directly involved in the process.

Step #	Action Step	Assigned To	Start Date	Due Date	Date Completed	Cost
1	School Technology Team members will stay current by attending conferences and workshops as necessary.	BTT	9/2000	Ongoing		To Be Determined
2	Each school will create a specific staff development plan for preparing the staff to implement the School Technology Plan	BTT and School Improvement Teams	9/2000	Ongoing
3	Technology specialists/coordinators at each school will receive ongoing training in curriculum integration and technology use in the classroom.	DTT	9/2000	Ongoing
4	Continue and expand "trainer of trainers" model of Professional Development using the RITTI and Lap Gap trained people.	DTT and School Improvement Teams	9/2000	Ongoing
5	Provide Professional Development for the appropriate staff in the utilization of the SASIxp program for management of student data and communication with the community.	DTT	9/2000	Ongoing
6	Provide a method to give the staff time to accomplish professional development goals.	Superintendent	9/2000	9/2001

Action Plans (cont.)

Goal 2 - Technology will be an integrated part of every curriculum area and used as an essential tool for reaching high student achievement in grades K-12.

Tactic c) The District will develop ongoing assessments of students, program staff, and methods that provide for instruction/program modification and recognition of different levels of student achievement.

Step #	Action Step	Assigned To	Start Date	Due Date	Date Completed	Cost
1	Staff will complete the Mankato Technology Skills Self-Assessment with each school reviewing the results annually to prepare for staff development opportunities.	BTC and Staff	9/2000	Yearly	Ongoing
2	Review complied yearly reports on assessments of staff and students engaged in learning with technology.	DTT	9/2000	Yearly	Ongoing
3	Make appropriate modifications in areas that warrant improvement after student and staff performance assessments are reviewed.	DTT	9/2000	Yearly	Ongoing
4	Students will complete yearly assessments to determine technology skills level.	BTC and Students	9/2000	Yearly (June)	Ongoing
5
6

Action Plans (cont.)

Goal 3 - The integration of appropriate technology curriculum will be put in place to nurture a foundation of basic student skills in applying technology throughout the curriculum in grades K-12.

Tactic a) The District will develop a standards-based technology curriculum in grades K-12 that incorporates performance-based activities and uses alternative forms of assessment (including rubrics, traditional tests, and portfolios).

Step #	Action Step	Assigned To	Start Date	Due Date	Date Completed	Cost
1	Develop a procedure for identifying and selecting curriculum support software for the building network.	BTC and Staff	9/2000	Yearly	Ongoing
2	Develop a district wide technology curriculum.	Building Technology Curriculum Committees	9/2000	Ongoing
3
4
5
6

Action Plans (cont.)

Goal 4 - Technology will be used as an integral tool in facilitating communication among the administration, faculty, students, parents, and community at large.

Tactic a) The District will develop alliances and improve relations with parents, School Committee, community, and local businesses to help our district become a leader in education.

Step #	Action Step	Assigned To	Start Date	Due Date	Date Completed	Cost
1	Develop the district website to provide student information and improve communication between administration, staff, parents, and the community.	DTC and BTC	9/2000	5/2000
2	Continue alliances with local businesses to provide additional resources for the district.	DTC	9/2000	Ongoing
3	Establish better email communication between parents, staff, and administration.	BTC	9/2000	Ongoing
4
5
6

Action Plans (cont.)

Goal 5 - Appropriate Technology human resources will be in place to support all goals and tactics as identified in the technology plan.

Tactic a) The District Technology Team will establish an appropriate district based technology budget to support the human resources needed for the integration of technology allowing flexibility for future changes. These resources will be necessary for supporting the curriculum in the individual schools, the network infrastructure, and management and up-keep of mail server and WAN.

Step #	Action Step	Assigned To	Start Date	Due Date	Date Completed	Cost
1	Budget appropriately for Technology Support Staff to accomplish the goals stated in the District Technology Plan.	Superintendent, DTC, and Principals
2	Budget appropriately for hardware lease program as specified in District Technology Plan.	Superintendent, DTC, and Principals
3	Budget appropriately for necessary upgrade, maintenance, and repair of existing hardware and software.	Superintendent, DTC, and Principals
4
5
6

Action Plans (cont.)

Goal 5 - Appropriate Technology human resources will be in place to support all goals and tactics as identified in the technology plan.

Tactic b) The District will support an effort to establish a CISCO Academy at Narragansett High School in order to bring technical support resources to the system.

Step #	Action Step	Assigned To	Start Date	Due Date	Date Completed	Cost
1	Satisfy preliminary requirements to be considered as a CISCO Academy.	DTC	9/2000
2	Apply to become a CISCO Academy	DTC and HSTC
3	Appropriate personnel will receive CISCO Training	Appropriate Faculty	7/2000
4	Establish a budget for implementation of CISCO Academy Program	Superintendent, Principal, DTC	11/2000
5	Allocate the required physical space at Narragansett High School	Principal	7/2001
6

IV. STAFF DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

SUGGESTED STAFF APPLICATIONS

FOR IMPLEMENTING TECHNOLOGY GOALS

PRODUCTIVITY: Increase teaching time by using management programs to streamline grades, attendance, lunch count, etc. Utilize the SASIxp program for management of student data and communication with the community.

COMMUNICATION: Use electronic mail systems and web pages to communicate within the building and throughout the district. Use network access to link up with other educators on specific topics through the Internet. Increase communication with parents by phone and through computer links.

INFORMATION: Access current information to supplement teaching resources with electronic sources and on-line services. Utilize quality software programs, which allow teachers to more easily evaluate and present information.

ASSESSMENT: Evaluate individual work with reporting options available on software programs. Evaluate class progress with these options. Report student achievement to parents. Review portfolios of student work and writing saved on the network. Prepare written assessments of student progress with report card programs.

INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES: Use a variety of multi-media materials to more effectively differentiate instruction to reach students with diverse learning styles. Plan individualized learning programs based on assessment data. Increase student motivation with expanded multi-media resources for class work and assignments. Provide opportunities for students to work collaboratively and actively.

PLANNING PROCESS FOR INITIAL STAFF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

Since staff development cannot be funded through capital bond or capital levy dollars, it will need to be considered as a major cost item for operating budgets over the next few years. We anticipate initial training for all certified staff to include approximately thirty hours of using networked computer systems and software. Classified staff that would be using and/or supervising use would require the same training. Past experience indicates we would spread these training hours over time to allow for skill development and practice by staff using workstations available to them in their school, classrooms, and offices. The phases of staff development are briefly elaborated as follows

School Technology Team Members (3-8 per school) should be:

· interested in technology

· responsive to change

· users of a variety of teaching strategies

· skilled at working in groups

· committed to teaching, coaching, and sharing developing expertise with colleagues and other members of the learning community

Training: (School Technology Team)

· Provide suggested procedures for developing technological vision with their school and increasing staff awareness of the need for change.

· Develop technical expertise needed to help schools develop their implementation plans.

Training: (Site Staff)

· Develop rationale including how it reflects vision, beliefs, priorities, and student goals.

· Specify equipment configuration for instructional delivery.

· Identify procedure for selecting curriculum software.

· Develop site staff development plan.

· Establish evaluation and revision process based on student data.

Training: (Narragansett School System Staff)

· Introduction to networked systems with focus on how networks systems work and skill in using them.

· Using basic network software with enough knowledge and skill to engage in initial applications.

 School Technology Team members will:

· Provide in-service at the building level.

· Become peer coaches.

· Develop strategies for sharing technological expertise.

· Model best instructional practices.

Training: (School Technology Team)

· Specialized training on network hardware and software.

· Using technology to change instructional practices.

· Developing technology support groups at site/district level.

Training: (Narragansett School System Staff) Optional

· Practice with hardware/software with available coaching.

· Participate in focused in-service provided by technology team and other colleagues.

· Attend district sponsored technology classes.

· Join technology support groups. Access information from a variety of sources including on-line services.

· Attend classes for clock hours and credit offered by the district and others.

· Share developing skills with students and colleagues.

· Do peer coaching with others on your staff.

Training and ongoing support for school-based plan:

· Provide continued support for identified staff development needs in school-based plans.

These needs might include: specialized hardware/software training, Integration of technology in the classroom, developing innovative instructional practices.

· Developing Technology Applications with new curriculum (math, writing, etc.) and in grade/subject areas.

Provide staff development, which incorporates technology into the new curriculum.

Provide staff development, which integrates technology into grade specific classrooms, and subject areas.

STAFF NEEDS ASSESSMENT

Staff should complete the Mankato Technology Skills Self-assessment and each school should review the results annually and use the information to plan for staff development opportunities.

Additionally, staff teams administer, observe, and score the student performance assessments at grade levels in elementary, middle, and high school. As staff members note the skills in which students need assistance, they work with their peers to enable changes in student learning experiences.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT MODELS

Narragansett Schools will use a variety of models for training and for ongoing professional development. The Technology Services Department supports staff learners with phone, email and applications support and help design workshops. Technology staff coordinate courses and workshops. Courses are offered in a variety of formats and times, including during and outside of the school day and the school year. Some are offered intensively and some are spaced out over time to provide for practice.

Technology Specialists and Technology Committees in each school offer building-level support and in-service, including the "5-minute in-service" or "just-in-time learning." Teacher teams design online professional development modules designed to guide teachers through a set of explorations and understandings of Internet use in the classroom. The district website is a rich resource for student and staff learners. Students and staff are both consumers and creators of curriculum resources online.