Technology
Plan
2007-2010
Phone:
254-364-2411
Fax:
254-364-2206
Website: http://www.iredell-isd.com
Superintendent
Brian Gray
Board Adopted:
11/20/2006
Technology
Plan
The mission of education technology in the
Iredell ISD has prepared this Long-Range Technology
Plan to articulate a common vision for technology in the district. We will
identify the strategies that will help us use advanced technology to improve
the academic achievement, including technology literacy, of all students. We
will utilize rigorous curriculum standards and develop critical thinking skills
that are essential for academic and workplace success. We will build the
capacity of all teachers to integrate technology effectively into curriculum
and instruction.
This Long-Range Technology Plan is driven by the
state curriculum standards and supports the educational mission and
instructional goals of Iredell ISD and by the No Child Left Behind Act of
2001. Specific attention is given to
addressing student standards for technology as defined by the Technology
Applications Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), required in the Texas
Education Code, Section 28.002. The
Technology Applications TEKS found in 19 TAC Chapter 126 describes what
students should know and be able to do using technology. As a part of the enrichment
curriculum, these TEKS are to be used as guidelines for providing instruction.
The goal of the Technology Applications TEKS is for students to gain
technology-based knowledge and skills and to apply them to all curriculum areas
at all grade levels.
This plan stresses the importance of ongoing and
sustained staff development in the integration of technology into the
curriculum for teachers, principals, administrators, and school library media
personnel to further the effective use of technology in the classroom or
library media center. It also is
consistent with the recommendations for LEAs as defined by the Texas Long-Range
Plan for Technology in the areas of Teaching and Learning, Educator Preparation
and Development, Administration and Support Services, and Infrastructure for
Technology. It is also consistent with E-rate application guidelines, and other
state standards, such as the newly adopted Technology Applications Standards
for Beginning Teachers.
Iredell is a single campus employing 30 teachers and
support staff, and serving approximately 140 students PreK-12th
grade. The school’s purpose in the community is to provide and exceptional
education to the best of our ability. This school currently has an Academically
Acceptable status.
Through the use of technology, students will be
knowledgeable, confident and experienced in technology. Students will be
provided the opportunity to explore and investigate, analyze, evaluate, design
and create using the state-of-the-art technology to solve real-world problems.
Students will be equipped with the best skills, attitudes and tools to get the
job done in a global economy.
The mission of education technology in the
Iredell is a rural community of approximately 360
people without industry. Iredell ISD serves 140 students Pre-K through 12. More
than 55% of our students are economically disadvantaged, with little
opportunity to access a computer outside of school. Faculty and students have a
person to person relationship with each other. Due to the remoteness of the
area and the small enrollment of the school, students have little opportunity to interact with others or to
develop a global perspective necessary in today’s world. Our students are
isolated from access to research resources. The
Iredell ISD's STaR Chart results for each campus
will be used to help the Iredell ISD assess its progress toward meeting the
goals of the Long-Range Plan for Technology. The STaR Chart will also be used
to compare Iredell's results with other
Iredell ISD consists of a single campus that serves
PreK-12th grades.
The following
technology is currently in place District-Wide:
v
Direct connection to the Internet via T1 leased to Educational Service
Center Region 12 in
v
District web servers in place providing district information and
student work maintained by students.
v
Written policies in place on acceptable use of the Internet, World Wide
Web content, network management, and equipment donations.
v
One computer lab has at least 16 computers and another has at least 12
computers. Each classroom has at least one computer with Internet access, most
have 2-4. There are 2 computers in the library with Internet access.
v
10 laptop computers are available for staff and students to check out.
v
2 projectors are available to be checked out.
v
Staff development.
v
Networked computers in labs and all classrooms.
v
Automated library checkout.
The latest inventory of current technology available for student use in Iredell ISD as of November 2006 is given in the chart below. Only current, non-obsolete (Pentium speed or better; at least 128 MB RAM; network-capable) student computers are listed. The list does not include administrative computers or file servers.
Campus
|
Number of Students
|
Total Computers
|
Student to Computer Ratio |
|
Campus |
137 |
100 |
1.3 to 1 |
|
Grand Totals |
137 |
100 |
1.3 to 1 |
Goals and
Objectives:
v
Increase technology proficiencies of all students and assess and report
the extent to which they meet those technology proficiencies in the Texas StaR
Chart Campus submissions.
v
Identify and promote curricula and teaching strategies that integrate
technology effectively into curricula and instruction, based on a review of
relevant research and leading to improvements in student academic
achievement.
v
Integrate technology (including software and electronically delivered
learning materials) into teaching and learning in all areas.
v
Use student performance data and curriculum materials that are provided
and managed electronically in instructional planning.
v
Use distance learning for expanding curricular offerings. (Explore
opportunities for the development and use of innovative strategies for the
delivery of specialized or rigorous courses and curricula through the use of
technology, including distance learning technologies, particularly in areas
that would not otherwise have access to such courses or curricula due to
geographical distances or insufficient resources.)
v
Provide on-demand access by staff and students to the best available
electronic information resources in classrooms, libraries and other appropriate
sites.
v
Use distance learning and digital content services to provide
educational services and information about education and best practices to
parents and other community members.
v
Provide training in data examination and analysis through technology to
support sound decision-making.
v
Provide staff development for integrating Technology Applications into
all other TEKS.
v
Provide ongoing, sustained professional development on effectively
integrating technology into teaching and learning, instructional management,
and administration for all teachers, principals, administrators, and school
library media personnel.
v
Provide professional development for teachers, librarians, principals,
and administrators that align with SBEC Technology Application standards and
supports federal legislation.
v
Design and implement educator development, on site and by distance
learning distributed learning and through digital content services.
v
Provide training and support of teacher-librarian collaboration and the
use of technology tools.
v
Integrate planning for technology into all classrooms, libraries,
campus and district planning. (TEC 11.252)
v
Keep the community informed regarding technology.
v
Provide students’ parents, community members and staff members Internet
access.
v
Include at least one community member to serve on SBDM committee.
v
Provide technology training facilities, distance learning and college
classes for community members.
v
Provide and update webpages for district information.
v
Provide educational resources and weblinks for parents and community
members on the district webpages.
v
Provide parent and community access to district personnel through
email.
v
Integrate the examination and analysis of data to support sound
decision-making focused on student success.
v
Integrate technology into instructional management and administration.
v
Establish policies to encourage expanded use of school facilities,
including the library facility.
v
Meet the technology equipment target of a student-to-workstation ratio
of 1:1.
v
Meet the technology equipment target of a professional education
staff-to-workstation ratio of 1:1. Provide a teacher workstation.
v
Provide access to appropriately configured workstations to all students
and staff in libraries, school offices, classrooms, and in other work areas,
ensuring accessibility for disabled students and staff as required by
v
Continue to provide high-speed access to the Internet for students and
staff.
v
Maintain or retain expertise for installing and supporting and
appropriate technology infrastructure.
v
Replace or reposition obsolescent technology and infrastructure on a
scheduled basis.
v
Provide and maintain an infrastructure for communications with parents
and community members, including access to school news, educational resources,
data and personnel.
Iredell ISD is committed to sustaining and improving the use of technology to improve the academic performance of all students. Beyond the state technology allotment, the district has contributed local funds in the past for technology enhancements and will continue to do so in the future. The technology staff is also active in working to ensure that all technology equipment functions well and to seek additionally funding sources for equipment, services, software, and other electronically delivered learning materials and print resources that will ensure successful and effective uses of technology.
Iredell ISD is also committed to continuing to increase the number of computer workstations and staff until the TEA target ratios are met. These workstations will be purchased out of local funds and will be purchased in mass quantities. This will help us to achieve cost savings due to volume bidding and discounts. The school district is also participating in the E-rate program and will apply for funds for the district.
Evaluation
Evaluation of the Iredell ISD Technology Plan will be a systemic ongoing process. The following methods will be used to determine the plan’s effectiveness:
v Formal survey/needs assessment of the staff in regards to their use of technology in the classroom
v On-going informal evaluations done by the technology staff on campus.
v Number of students taking technology courses.
v Number of students obtaining jobs in technology fields.
v Number of staff members taking part in technology staff development
v Number and type of Internet projects participated in.
v Monitoring of Internet usage as to types of websites visited.
v Monitoring of district webpages.
Maintain current infrastructure level by upgrading
or replacing obsolete individual stations.
Replace and update printers as needed.
Continue staff development to stay abreast of
current technology trends in order to integrate technological advances into the
classroom.
Continue to assess student achievement and adapt
current teaching methods to increase academic performance.