Bristol Board approved

CHAPTER I - VISION AND GOALS

VISION

The Bristol School District believes that we must produce technology capable students ready to learn, work and live successfully in an increasingly complex and information rich society. Within our educational setting, technology will enable students to become:

- information seekers, analyzers and evaluators
- effective users of productivity tools, building problem solving and decision making skills
- communicators, collaborators, publishers and producers
- responsible and contributing citizens to their communities and world
- life-long learners

GOALS & OBJECTIVES

Teaching and Learning

We believe that equitable access is the primary key to the effective use of technology.
Putting the right tools in the right place with appropriate support helps to ensure
that students, staff, and the community will benefit through their use. Appropriate
and available Technology tools will allow students and staff to achieve their
educational and productivity objectives.

GOAL 1:

Design new learning environments that enhance the teaching and learning process through access to a variety of technology tools.

Teachers will:

Show competencies in basic operation standards.

Install and execute software successfully.

Access, generate, and manipulate data using productivity tools.

Utilize various resources available for problem solving.

Create and maintain programs that challenge learners of all abilities.

Create programs that meet individual student's needs.

Increase awareness and use of computer in classroom.

Promote and model ethical use of technology resources.

Students will:

Develop basic operations skills.

Use technology to enhance productivity.

Access and retrieve electronic information.

Utilize software, networks and telecommunications to communicate effectively and creatively.

Care for technology equipment and use it safely and ethically.

Curriculum Integration

We believe that technology will become an integral component of

the curriculum in all grades and subject areas.

GOAL 2:

Integrate technology to facilitate the implementation of interdisciplinary curriculum, enhancing and expanding the teaching and learning environment.

Teachers will:

Engage in exploration, evaluation, and application of technological resources in each content area.

Modify lesson plans to include appropriate technology resources.

Develop specific classroom activities that enhance curricular objectives.

Acquire strategies to move toward engaged learning.

Create learning activities that promote collaboration of technology and students' strengths.

Promote the use of technology to develop effective reading, writing and communication skills.

Students will:

Use technology to communicate visually, graphically, and artistically in all curriculum areas.

Interpret, evaluate and synthesize information to support learning in all content areas.

Technical Infrastructure

We believe that learning and teaching are processes of connecting people in order to communicate and share information. This network will extend the boundaries of learning and cultural environment to make global resources available to students and staff. This access by teachers, students and community will enhance writing, communication, research, collaborative learning, and interdisciplinary skills. The realization of this technical infrastructure will assure equitable accesses for all stakeholders in the educational community.

GOAL 3:

Establish a network interconnecting all offices and classrooms in the district. Students and district staff will have local and worldwide access for communication and access of information to expand curriculum and management resources.

The district will be wired and connected together through Cat-5 wire.

Industry standard network hardware complete with back-up system will ensure network operations.

All classrooms will contain a sufficient number of computer drops for connecting them to network.

All classrooms will have computers containing CD ROMS, up dated software, hard drives, sound cards, and network cards.

Technological facilities with be accessible for those with disabilities.

Human Infrastructure

We believe that staff technology competence will increase staff confidence in using technology as a tool to enhance the curriculum and their productivity. Training will focus on the identification of new roles for district staff to maintain a technological environment.

GOAL 4:

Create staff development programs to assist staff in becoming competent users of technology applications and creative designers of technology-infused learning activities.

Training will expose teachers to:

The effective use of hardware and software;

The effective use of the established network for communication and productivity;

Current models for teaching and learning;

The use of technology in the delivery of curriculum, instructional and classroom management, and record keeping;

Curriculum innovations and technology-related classroom learning experiences.

Community Involvement

We believe that the active involvement of the community within the educational process is critical to the development of life-long learners who are adeptly equipped to become leaders in changing world. An informed and involved community provides the structural support to build a progressive educational system. The design of a Community Learning Center will provide exposure, encouragement and opportunities in an open, comfortable environment for education of all ages.

GOAL 5:

Establish a community-wide education program.

Community members will:

Become familiar with technology opportunities available.

Develop basic operation skills.

Use technology to enhance productivity.

Access and retrieve electronic information.

Utilize software, networks and telecommunications to communicate effectively and creatively.

Care for technology equipment and use it safely and ethically.

Evaluation

We believe that to meet priorities for technology and to ensure lasting improvement in students’ learning, an annual review of the Technology Action Plan needs to be accomplished.

GOAL 6:

Establish a Technology Leadership Team to guide the district in the implementation, revision, expansion and evaluation of the vision, goals, and recommendations outlined in the current Technology Plan.

Tech Team members will:

Be responsible for annual review.

Assess and evaluate achievement of existing goals and objectives.

Generate and compile information needed to make adjustments to the plan.

Ensure quality and viability of the Technology Plan.

Ensure the alignment and allocation of resources that will strengthen technology in the curriculum and support meaningful, engaged learning for all students.

CHAPTER 2-PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT &TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

WHERE ARE WE?

Three instruments were used to assess the current level of teacher's technology skills and integration in our district. A district survey (see Appendix A) assessing personal and professional use revealed that nearly 60 % of the staff owned and used computers at home, while 100% had a computer in their classroom. Only a few staff members used computers in their classroom on a regular basis for instructional purposes with students. Most usage was for record keeping and word processing with little application of technology in instruction.

The Teacher's Computer Skills and Use Inventory (see Appendix C) indicated that the majority of staff was at the basic operating skills level. Application of productivity tools and curriculum integration were used in a few areas, but without consistency or assessment strategies.

After identifying areas for growth and using the technology competencies recommended by ISTE (see Appendix D), staff members are writing individual technology goals that are incorporated into the teacher observation/evaluation process. Each teacher will keep portfolios documenting their growth and achievement with technology skills.

The Board has approved a part time technology coordinator who will be responsible for maintaining the administration of the technical components of the network. The person will be attending training sessions this summer and will continue to be the tech leader for the entire district.

The board has approved early dismissals and/or late starts for curriculum and staff development. The basis for this ongoing training is on-site technical development by utilizing our own staff members as trainers. Those who have attended training workshops such as the TTL Academy, TIE Conferences, Microsoft Users Conferences and curriculum integration workshops will share their expertise with all the staff members.

WHERE DO WE WANT TO GO?

Build it and they will come. Surveys indicate that teacher's attitudes about learning how to use technology were overwhelmingly positive. They are very open to participating in technology training. Our staff development program will provide hands-on activities that respond to the individual concerns, interests and developmental stages of each teacher. For technology to become a tool for

teachers, they must have time to explore and experiment individually and collectively. The technology coordinator will continue receiving technical training so he can supply on-going technical support for all staff members. Along with on-site training, staff members will be given opportunities to attend off-site training.

Staff Development Goal & Objectives:

Institute a staff development program that will provide on-going training to assist staff in becoming competent users of technology applications and creative designers of technology-infused learning activities.

Training will expose teachers to:

The effective use of hardware and software;

The effective use of the established network for communication and productivity;

Current models for teaching and learning;

The use of technology in the delivery of curriculum, classroom management, and record keeping;

Curriculum innovations and technology-related classroom learning experiences.

Recommendation for achieving staff development objectives:

Establish a K-12 development committee that will be responsible for planning and implementing staff development activities by:

- Administering surveys to determine staff needs to successfully integrate technology;
- Administering surveys to determine staff hardware/software use as related to curriculum, management, and productivity;
- Establish a professional technology library (on-line and in print) that provides current technology publications, TIE newsletters and care packages for professional use;
- Securing "How-to" publications for staff regarding common networking and application procedures;
- Allowing staff release time for appropriate conference attendance, school visitations, curriculum design, and team planning to provide time for technology plan implementation;
- Making recommendations for staff development programs and specific activities in support of curriculum integration, technology management and productivity;
- Making recommendations for funding priorities concerning staff development needs;
- Providing technology coordinator with instruction, time and funding to become knowledgeable concerning current software and hardware;

- Updating staff on the current technologies through professional programs offered statewide locally and regionally;

- Establishing expected levels of staff computer proficiency and including these expected levels in the staff evaluation and new staff hiring requirements.

CURRICULUM INTEGRATION

WHERE ARE WE?

Need assessments showed very little to moderate amounts of integration of technology into the curriculum. Classes taught over the interactive TV system (Sociology, Psychology, Spanish I &II, College Algebra and Literature from Presentation College), along with Computer Concepts, General Business, Business Law, Keyboarding and Creative Writing use technology daily. Most staff members have a positive attitude about integrating and incorporating technology into their classrooms. The absence of multimedia software has obviously limited usage.

WHERE DO WE WANT TO GO?

Technology must become a "core value" within the curriculum. Research has shown that when technology is embedded into the existing curriculum, an environment is created that promotes engaged learning (see Appendix E) where individualization thrives. The needs of students are no longer met, but surpassed. State standards and benchmarks will serve as markers guiding teachers and students on their journey. As we prepare to help students meet future responsibilities, our educational system needs to help every student meet high standards of academic achievement.

Curriculum Integration Goal &Objectives:

Integration of technology in interdisciplinary curriculum, enhancing and expanding the teaching and learning environment.

Teachers will:

Engage in exploration, evaluation and application of technological resources in each content area.

Modify lesson plans to include appropriate technology resources

Develop specific classroom activities that enhance curricular objectives.

Acquire strategies to move towards engaged learning.

Create learning activities that promote collaboration of technology and students’ strengths.

Promote the use of technology to develop effective reading, writing and communication skills.

Students will:

Use technology to communicate visually, graphically and artistically in all curriculum areas.

Interpret, evaluate and synthesize information to support learning in all content areas.

Recommendations for achieving integration of technology objectives:

- Each teacher (or teaching team) will develop and assess at least one unit or lesson that integrates technology into a classroom learning experience. Successful lessons will be published for the professional library either on-line or in print.
- Each grade level/department will develop detailed plans for the integration of technology in their curriculum. These plans will include priorities for hardware and software acquisition, recommendations for course changes and additions (7-12), staff development needs, as well as, the anticipated effect in student achievement and assessment. The plans will be published either on-line or either in print for the professional library.
- Staff will establish a process for in-depth reviews of the total curriculum, integrating technology where appropriate;
- Staff will attend a variety of workshops to increase their knowledge of using technology in the curriculum;
- The district will establish a K-12 curriculum team that will assess technology use in the curriculum and make recommendations based on the assessment;
- Appropriate staff and committees will research the need for and resources necessary to provide technology specific, work-related courses for grades 7-12 in such areas as: industrial technology, computer graphics, computerized accounting, webpage development, etc. Establish, as possible, dual credit for these courses through our universities, colleges, and technical institutes.

CHAPTER 3 - INSTRASTRUCTURE AND IMPLEMENTATION

NEEDS ASSESSMENT

Demographics

WHO ARE WE?

The Bristol School District is a K-12 district with an ADM of 135 students for the 1998-1999 school year. The population make-up of our district is very similar to many rural South Dakota communities. The majority of students are Caucasian with northern European ancestry. The number of students who are from a non-traditional family setting is increasing every year.

The Bristol School District 18-1 is located in northeastern South Dakota in Day County. The district includes the communities of Bristol, Lily and Butler along with 258 square miles of rural area. The city of Bristol located just on the west side of Day County on Highway 12, has 19 businesses serving the surrounding area. One of the businesses, Hansmeier and Son's Seed, supplies many area farmers with seed. Like all small communities, these businesses give tremendous support to the school and look to us for leadership and training in the area of technology.

The school district has four buildings (that are interconnected, heated by four furnaces) that are located on one city block. The junior high/high school building was built in 1906. We have a FTE of 15.0. (1-8 elementary 7.18, 9-12 high school 6.22, Special Ed of 1.0, and Kindergarten .6) They provide instruction and related services to 78 students in grades 7-12. The high school has a tradition of academic excellence with a near 100% graduation rate. The vast majority of students graduating from Bristol School go on to some type of post-secondary training/education.

There are 15 certified teachers and three non-certified aid providing instruction as well as related services in the elementary building. The current elementary structure was built in 1989. In 1966, the addition that currently houses the administrative offices & special education rooms were added on to the east side of the 1906 high school building. A freestanding gymnasium was built in 1951 that was connected by a tunnel to the high school buildings. In 1961, the industrial arts shop, music room, kitchen, and science room were added on to the gym and a foyer hallway was created to connect them to the high school building. Starting in 1981, new locker rooms were built to the west of the gym foyer hallway, the gymnasium floor was widened and re-tiled, and the science room was expanded to the south and west.

WHERE ARE WE?

We have administered the Computer/Technology Use Survey, the NCTP Perceived Educational Technology Needs Survey and a Teacher's Computer Skills and Use Inventory (see Appendix A, B, & C) that have indicated our strengths and weakness. Staff and students have been informally surveyed and interviewed by computer staff concerning current skill levels. We plan to expand our needs assessment to the community where businesses and past graduates will be surveyed. In meeting with our small town businesses, many of them are currently not using computers and are looking to the school as the community's technology leader. Technology has been a part of the Bristol School District since 1981. (Three Commodore PETs were purchased that year and about three computers were added each year till 1990 when 18 286 IBM computers were purchased for the first computer lab.) Combining efforts with seven other schools, a consortium was formed to provide a two-day audio/video interactive distance learning system inservice. The North Central Area Interconnect (NCAI) became fully operational during the 1994-95 school year.

Our telecommunicatios classroom is equipped with state-of-the-art audio and video equipment that allows us to transmit and receive superior sound and picture quality through the use of fiber-optic communications. Instructors and students from Bristol can see and talk to instructors and students from other schools on a real-time basis. A variety of course offerings (see Appendix F) and resources are available over the system. Each NCAI classroom has access to a fax machine so instructors can quickly provide students with lesson materials, quizzes, tests, and other resources for class use.

The Bristol School District had a staff member teaching Spanish I and II to three different school districts during the first three years over this telecommunications system. Our students are able to select from several courses offered by other schools such as physchology, sociology, German, French, agriculture management, and Lakota art to mention a few. Our students are also offered and currently enrolled in dual credit classes offered by Presentaion College where students receive college credit along with high school credit for English & Math classes.

Our telecommunications system is also used for professional development sessions for staff along with the staff sharing sessions amongst the eight NCAI schools. Community members have also utilized the system in taking adult educations classes offered from Webster and participating in training sessions offered by the private sector.

At the current time, our computer curriculum consists of keyboarding skills taught to 7^th and 8^th graders one semester for three days each week. 9^th graders meet every day for one semester and are taught keyboarding, internet applications and e-mail. Computer Programming students meet five days a week to expand computer skills and study basic programming. This class has been maintaing the web site at http://Bristol.k12.sd.us

The internet is currently available by dial-up access (on two computers) and through our ISDN line. Northern Valley Communication is our service provider. Our school buildings have been wired through the Governor's WTS project. With the above, the high school computer lab and every class room has access to the ethernet system and the internet.

We have loaded Microsoft Office ’95 or ’97 on all of our PCs. Microsoft Publisher is being utilized on some of the PCs. In the areas of content, integration, and professional development, we have just completed an evening course of MS Office that most of the teachers took part in. We are currently looking at software titles that are to be integrated into the curriculum.

EQUIPMENT INVENTORY

Our school had been a Commodore and Apple school till the IBM lab was added in 1990. We have twice replaced the computers in that lab. In 1996, they were replaced with 19 100 MHz-multimedia computer and again in 1997 they were replaced with 200 MHz multimedia machines. At that time, the 100MHz machines were moved into the classrooms and connected to Ethernet cable. We are in the process of considering replacing them once again and then building an elementary Windows lab with 12 of the 200 MHz multimedia computers. A current equipment inventory is listed in Appendix H.

WHERE DO WE WANT TO GO?

Using the School Technology and Readiness (StaR) Chart and StaR Self-Diagnostic Tool (see Appendix I & J), we are currently at the high-tech range in hardware and connectivity areas. We have began to move into the high and target range with our new Windows lab and getting a computer into every classroom has moved our student-to-computer ratio to the 3:1 range. We currently have a network in place that fully connects all classrooms and multi-media computers.

Future plans are to increase the number of workstations in each classroom, while adding other equipment to complement the integration of technology in the classroom such as digital cameras, scanners, projectors and software.

FACILITIES & MODEL CLASSROOM CONFIGURATIONS

In Appendix K are diagrams of our classroom configurations. The network drops in each classroom are marked with a red *. With our small student population, we were limited to the number of drops per classroom. Therefore our curriculum schedule was planned to only tie up the lab with actual computer classes four periods a day. This allows the lab to be available three periods of the day for classroom teachers to schedule on-line activities where each student can be seated at a computer.

Internet access will be used for project-based learning and research purposes. E-mail will facilitate global collaborative learning opportunities. Some content areas (chemistry, physics, and geometry) will use computers for specific software applications and electronic references that enhance learning.

It was a priority for each K-12 classroom to have a new, multimedia networkable computer containing MS Office software. Using televisions with s-video jacks, scanners and digital camera, teachers can lead the class using the computer as a valuable tool to present information with Power Point software. Each teacher using the lab has access to a projection device that can be used to display to the entire class what is on one computer.

The Administration is looking to use technology to cut down on daily tasks that are currently done with paper. Classroom teachers will take daily attendance/lunch counts and e-mail those to the central office. Administrative memos and staff communications will all begin or be set-up through a local area network that will be created. We are currently looking at different grade book software that will be offered to teachers since each one will have a computer in their classroom. Staff will also be trained to personally use the computer in their classroom for their own research of classroom resources, lesson plans and to collaborate with colleagues.

Infrastructure/Implementation Goal & Objectives:

- Establish a network interconnecting all offices and classrooms in the district. Students and district staff will have local and worldwide access for communication and access of information to expand curriculum and management resources.

Implementation means:

Maintaining the network system and assess if it is being used by teachers, students, staff and community members.

Continual upgrading of the system and making improvements in its effectiveness.

Recommending budget considerations for network upgrades/improvements.

Seek evidence that the network is improving staff communications and productivity.

Seek evidence that the network is improving student communication and productivity.

To implement and access this objective the following steps are recommended:

- Assessment of current telecommunication infrastructure plan and implement improvements.
- Assess availability of funding and make recommendations for hardware/software acquisitions.
- Create and implement a plan for installation, maintenance, monitoring and instruction on the use of the system.
- Establish a job description for the technology coordinator.
- Establish funding and time allowances for staff development to implement network resources into current curriculum.

CHAPTER 4 - ACTION PLAN

Goal 1:

Design new learning environments that enhance the teaching and learning process through access to a variety of technology tools.

Activity	Person Responsible	Cost	Timeline	Assessment or Evidence of Progress
Instructional Technology Student Benchmarks will be introduced to teachers and students.	Admin.	$0	Spring '99	Training evaluations
Students will be assessed at the beginning of the year to gather baseline data.	Teachers	$0	Fall '99	Student surveys
State Content standards will guide development of course outlines and incorporate technology benchmarks.	Tech Team	$0	Summer '99	Tech. Benchmarks
K-12 Student portfolios will document utilization of technology skills.	Teachers	$0	Spring 2000	Portfolios
Students will be observed and monitored throughout the year with progress reports sent to parents.	Teachers	$0	Fall '99	Mid-Term Progress Report
Students will be assessed at the end of the year to determine progress toward standards	Teachers	$0	Spring 2000	Student Surveys/portfolios
Students actively engaged in technology will be a common learning environment	Admin	$0	Fall 2000	Classroom observations and evaluations

GOAL 2:

Integrate technology to facilitate the implementation of interdisciplinary curriculum, enhancing and expanding the teaching and learning environment.

Activity Person Cost Timeline Assessment or

Responsible Evidence of Progress

Staff will establish a process for in-depth

reviews of the total curriculum and state Currc. Team $500 Summer '99 Tech. Benchmarks

content standards, integrating technology

where appropriate.

Staff will attend a variety of workshops

Dealing with integrating technology Admin. $2000 Begin Fall '98 Staff will present

in the curriculum.

The district will establish a K-12 curriculum

team that will assess technology use in the Currc. Team $0 Summer '99 Tech benchmarks

curriculum and make recommendations.

Teachers will complete and share portfolio

containing modified lesson plans Teachers $0 Fall '99 Lesson plans/portfolio

incorporating appropriate technology

resources.

Staff will share and present specific

classroom activities that enhance Teachers

curricular objectives. and Admin. $0 Fall '99 Teacher evaluations

Each teacher (or teaching team) will develop

And assess at least one unit or lesson Teachers

that integrates technology into a classroom and Admin. $0 Spring 2000 Teacher evaluations

learning experience.

Successful lessons will be placed in the Inventory of

professional library either on-line or in print Tech. Coord. $0 Spring 2000 library resources

Each grade level/department will develop

detailed plans for the integration of Teachers and Tech.

technology in their curriculum. Currc. Teams $0 Fall ’99 Benchmarks/standards

Plans will include priorities for hardware and

software acquisition and additions. Tech. Coord. $0 Spring 2000 Requisition forms

GOAL 3:

Activity Person Cost Timeline Assessment or

Responsible Evidence of Progress

All buildings in the District will be wired and

connected together with Cat-5. Tech. Cord. WTS Fall '98 Buildings networked

Industry standard network hardware complete Tech. Cord. Network with Internet access

with back-up systems will be installed. $18,000 Spring '98

Employ part-time district technology Admin. Tech. Coordinator

coordinator and establish job description. Board $1500 Fall '98 begin job responsibilities.

Utilize existing aged equipment in the Tech. Move old IBM 286’s

elementary lab. Committee. $0 Spring '97 from old HS lab.

All classrooms will have networkable Tech. Cord.

computers containing CD ROMS, Admin.

MS Office '97 software. $15,000 Spring '97 Classroom inventory list.

Technological facilities will be accessible Tech. Coord. $0 Fall'97 Building observation

for those with disabilities.

Develop & continue assessment of Tech. Coord. $0 Fall '99 Results of StaR telecommunications infrastructure. Diagnostic Tool

Keep district technology inventory up-to-date. Tech. Coord. $0 Fall '98 Inventory list

Develop and implement process for hardware Tech. Coord. $0 Spring '99 Requistion

and software acquisitions. forms

Create and implement a plan for installation, Tech. Team $0 Summer '99 Detailed check list/journal

maintenance, and monitoring of the system.

Establish funding for staff development, Tech Team $0 Spring '99 Complete grant

hardware and software acquisitions. Admin. applications/budget

item requests

GOAL 4:

Institute a staff development program to assist staff in becoming competent users of technology applications and creative designers of technology-infused learning activities.

Activity Person Cost Timeline Assessment or

Responsible Evidence of Progress

Establish a K-12 staff development committee. Admin. $0 Fall ‘96 Faculty Handbook

Administer surveys to determine staff needs to

successfully integrate technology. Admin. $0 Fall ‘98 Completed surveys

Administer surveys to determine staff hardware

and software use as related to curriculum. Admin. $0 Fall ‘98 Completed surveys

Establish a professional technology library

(on-line and in print) that provides current

technology publications and TIE newsletters Technology Organized collection of

and care packages for professional use. Coordinator $50 Spring ‘99 technology resources

Provided staff release time for appropriate

conference attendance, school visitations,

curriculum design. Admin/Board $5000 Spring ‘99 Staff will return & present

Provided tech coordinator with instruction,

time and funding to become knowledgeable Tech. Coord

concerning Windows NT system. Admin/Board $1000 Summer ‘98 will train staff.

Staff will attend TTL Academy and TIE Staff will

conference. Admin. $1000 Spring ’98 & ‘99 return & present

Development of staff members to be trainers and Staff will develop

coaches for district-wide training sessions. Admin. $1000 Spring ’99 and provide training

Establish expected levels of staff computer

proficiency and include these expected levels in Technology Technology

staff evaluation and new staff hiring requirements. Team $0 Summer ’99 curriculum

benchmarks.

GOAL 5:

Establish a community-wide program.

Activity Person Cost Timeline Assessment or

Responsible Evidence of progress

Establish a School/Community Tech Community

Education Program Team Team $0 Fall ’99 meeting/survey

Assess community educational needs and

opportunities. Schedule classes to be offered S/CEP

through community educational programs. Team $0 Fall ’99 Completed survey

Organize courses for college credit, continuing S/CEP List of

education and special interests. Tech. Team $0 Fall ’99 courses to be offered

Develop a funding mechanism to support S/CEP $0 Fall '99 Completed grant applications

community education programs. and list of donations

Insure equitable educational opportunities S/CEP $0 Spring 2000 Course evaluations/feedback

for all community members.

Solicit both school and community expertise to S/CEP $0 Spring '99 List of qualified instructors

Provide instructional leadership for courses offered.

Work to form partnerships with higher educational S/CEP $0 Spring '99 Courses offered for

institutions(NSU/PC) and area businesses. Tech. Team College Credit

Design and complete evaluations of courses held. S/CEP $0 Fall '99 Course evaluation form

GOAL 6:

Activity Person Cost Timeline Assessment or

Responsible Evidence of Progress

Develop an assessment process for on-going

evaluation of technology-infused curriculum

development and acquisition of current Tech. Surveys/

technology tools Team $0 Summer '99 Portfolios/evaluations

Establish a cyclical purchasing plan that ensures Tech. Coord. up to date hardware, peripherals, software, and Admin.

infrastructure enhancements. Board $0 Spring '99 Purchasing plan

The district will establish a K-12 curriculum

team that will assess technology use in the

curriculum and make recommendations. Currc. Team $0 Summer '99 Tech benchmarks

Teachers will complete and share portfolio

containing modified lesson plans incorporating Lesson

appropriate technology resources. Teachers $0 Fall '99 Plans/Portfolio

Staff will share and present at sessions

specific classroom activities that enhance Teachers

curricular objectives. and Admin. $0 Fall '99 Teacher evaluations

Each teacher (or teaching team) will develop and

assess at least one unit or lesson that integrates Teachers

technology into a classroom learning experience. and Admin. $0 Spring 2000 Teacher evaluations

Revisit course descriptions to evaluate their

accuracy and relevance as well as student progress Admin. Revised/new

throughout the stated curriculum objectives. Tech. Coord. $0 Summer '99 objectives written

Evaluate teacher preparation and application Surveys/

documentation of current technology. Admin. $0 Spring 2000 Inventories/Evaluations

Track student applications of technology

through interdisciplinary uses. Admin. $0 Spring 2000 Formal evaluations/surveys

Assess current software use relative to the

curriculum with the anticipation of new needs

and the availability of new applications and Teachers

develop a plan of preview/purchase of software Tech. Coord. Revised objectives

upgrades/site licenses for each grade level, Admin. $0 Spring 2000 added to plan

department, and administration support unit.

Evaluate current infrastructure and plan for Tech. Team Revised objectives

additions that will be needed in the future. Admin. $0 Summer 2000 added to plan

MAINTENANCE & SUPPORT

As noted in the above action Plan, the responsibility of maintaining our technology plan will be a team effort led by our technology coordinator. Our Tech Team, (see Appendix L) along with the administration and key staff members will supply support and feedback to the tech. Coordinator. Along with off-site technical training for the tech., services are obtained as needed from Country Computers/Neil Stokke. We have also utilized our relationship with TIE staff members and colleagues across the state to talk through problems and scenarios as they arise.

The administration will be directly working with staff in supporting curriculum integration. As mentioned earlier, staff will be encouraged to try new methods of teaching using technology as a primary tool. Classroom observations and evaluations will be planned for the specific purpose of seeing teachers utilizing these new tools.

An area where all staff will be very involved is supervising students' use of technology. Our district's Internet Acceptable Use Policy (Appendix M) requires all teachers to help teach students the ethical and proper use of the Internet. Each student and one of his/her parents needs to sign the form before the student will be given a network logon and account. Violation of the policy as reported by teachers will result in the student losing his/her Internet privileges for a period of time.

The technology coordinator will meet weekly with administration and monthly with the school board and Tech Team keeping them informed of achievement of technology plan goals, problems and revision needed to be made, and the overall implementation of the technology plan.

The Action Plan references assessment tools such as surveys and evaluation forms that have not yet been developed. As we implement the technology plan, these assessment tools will be developed. We are presently looking to TIE and neighboring school districts to provide guidance to us in these areas.

CHAPTER 5 - EVALUATION

To accomplish annual recommendations for implementation, revision, expansion, and evaluation of the Technology Plan the following will occur:

Establish and maintain Tech Team that will include, but is not limited to, a representative from: school administration, K-12 teaching staff, support staff, Bristol community, student body, and Bristol business/industry partners. A list of the current Tech Team is enclosed.
The Tech Team will develop an assessment process for on-going evaluation of technology-infused curriculum development and acquisition of current technology tools;
Establish a cyclical purchasing plan that ensures up-to-date hardware, peripherals, software, and infrastructure enhancements;
Provide annual budget recommendations that support adequate levels of staff training, user assistance, and maintenance and operational support for instructional technology;
Review the number and type of technology support and purpose updated and new positions to meet demands of new technology growth;
Report findings and recommendations to administration and the School Board no later than April 1 of each school year.
Revisit course descriptions to evaluate their accuracy and relevance as well as student progress throughout the stated curriculum objectives.
Review and access the current uses of technology in the curriculum.
Evaluate student application of technology through interdisciplinary uses.
Evaluate teacher preparation and application of current technology.
Assess current software use relative to the curriculum with the anticipation of new needs and the availability of new applications.
Evaluate current infrastructure and plan for additions that will be needed in the future.
Create and implement a plan of preview/purchase of software upgrades/site licenses for each grade level, department, and administrative support unit.

Instruction includes opportunities for individualized learning and evaluation

The annual evaluation of the Technology Plan will address the following key questions:

Have the objectives been met?
Are improvements needed? What new policies are needed to support implementations?
Which objectives were not met and how will they be re-addressed and attained?
With the changing state of technological innovations, which objectives, priorities, and implementations need to be changed to meet current state-of the art standards for teaching and learning?
Is the district effectively utilizing a purchasing plan to keep technology current and meet the needs of all students?

Is the cycling of hardware and software compatible with curriculum needs?
Are technology support staff positions adequate to meet program needs?
Have staff development opportunities resulted in greater staff competencies?
What impact has the Plan implementation had on student achievement and performance?

To help answer the above questions, annual evaluations will include the StaR Diagnostic Tool (see Appendix I), Teacher's Computer Skill and Use Inventory (see Appendix A), local teacher surveys assessing levels of curriculum integration, student achievement, hardware/software acquisition and overall community impact.

Local surveys will be developed as staff move through training and become familiar with areas that need to be assessed. Teacher and student portfolios will document technology use, but developing instruments that will assess the impact of technology on student performance and achievement will be more difficult. A committee including administration, teachers and parents will guide efforts in developing local assessment tools.

The evaluation process will be conducted to determine the extent to which technology is applied and utilized across the curriculum. The Bristol Tech Team will interview students, teachers, and community members prior to the annual revision of the technology plan. The Tech Team will meet each quarter and analyze survey data collected and will summarize the current status of objectives completed. A report with recommendations and revisions will be presented to the School Board at the April business meeting.

Our goal is to review the plan and make annual adjustments and revisions to it. The most obvious of these will be extending timelines and stating more specifically assessment tools and methods that are being used.

Appendix A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M