McDuffie County Schools

Thomson, Georgia

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SSuuppeerriinntteennddeenntt Dr. Mychele Rhodes

I. Vision for Technology Use - The McDuffie County School System’s vision is to provide all students, regardless of their physical or mental limitations, a safe environment that maximizes learning potential.

Technology will provide the tools that will hone students’ higher order thinking skills, allow for collaborative learning, and foster teamwork that will be essential in the work place.

Technology will play a key role to provide teachers with the tools, skills, and the motivation necessary to ensure students will be productive citizens of tomorrow.

Technology will assist teachers to provide direction and guidance through this continuously changing process, allowing them to become facilitators of learning in the information age.

Technology will allow teachers to differentiate instruction. Technology will play a key role in providing administrators and teachers data to drive instruction. Technology will expose students and teachers to alternative methods of problem solving.

II. Current Reality - Technology is clearly providing a tool for teachers and all students, including those with special needs, to increase learning and the development of higher order thinking skills. Many projects that utilize technology are currently in progress and more are being planned for future use. We have learned to augment the learning process with technology and are continuously integrating new technology into the learning process. The LoTi survey is taken annually to ascertain how teachers and administrators at each of our schools see themselves as technology users (See Appendix C). As a tool, the survey provides gap analysis information to enable system leadership (superintendent, assistant superintendent of instruction, technology director, principals, Title I director, and special education director) to target funding sources, such as E-Rate, local option sales tax and grants, and to provide professional development opportunities directed at moving participants to a higher level of technology implementation in all classrooms. In doing so, students will be better prepared for the challenges facing them in a highly competitive, technology-oriented society. To ensure that all students and teachers in McDuffie County have access to technology, a county technology committee meets periodically to discuss the county’s media and technology needs. These discussions are based on input from teacher needs surveys and the county’s computer hardware inventory. The county’s hardware inventory, in conjunction with the state technology report, also helps evaluate the technology that is currently available and determine what technology is needed in order to bridge the gap.. An established computer replacement cycle, based on the system’s hardware inventory, is also in place to assure equitable replacement of technology. In an effort to identify the number of students’ families who have access to technology outside of the school system, McDuffie County implements a technology and internet availability survey each year in an effort to reduce the gap. This information is used to determine how many of our students across the different subgroups have access to technology outside of the school building and if access to school technology is needed beyond the regular school day for both students and parents. This also serves as an indicator of the effectiveness of alternative means of communication, such as school websites.

Goals, Benchmarks, and Strategies

GOAL: Increase student learning and achievement through the use of technology.

Strategies Benchmark

Evaluation

Method

Funding

Source/Amount Person Responsible

Increase the percentage of high school graduates by offering credit recovery computer based instruction software and flexible hours of instruction.

80% graduation rate-FY15 90% graduation rate -FY16 100% graduation rate -FY17

Graduation rate

Erate (Provides Internet and Network connectivity to instructional servers) SPLOST-$20,000 Local property tax Grants/ $100,000 yr.(funds academic software)

Superintendent Department of Curriculum and Instruction Principals Assistant Principals Teachers

Increase CCRPI by increasing standardized scores in all subject areas by using pre-post computer based

70% meet or exceed-FY15 75% meet or exceed-FY16 80% meet or exceed-FY17

Test scores and benchmark scores

local/state funds -$25,000.00

Superintendent Department of Curriculum and Instruction Principals Assistant Principals Teachers

assessments and data analysis using DataDirector.

Utilize modern technology devices (including mobile learning devices) as part of daily classroom instruction.

90% teacher ulilization-FY15 95% teacher utilization -FY16 100% teacher utilization -FY17

Annual evaluations Lesson plans

E-Rate (internet access, network connectivity) SPLOST Local property tax Grants/$100,000 yr.

Superintendent Department of Curriculum and Instruction Technology Department Principals Assistant Principals Teachers

Implement and maintain student email accounts and internet based resources.

6th-12th grades-FY15 6th-12th grades-FY16 4th-12th grades-FY17

Implementation

E-Rate(internet access, network connectivity) SPLOST Local property tax Grants/$15,000 yr.

Technology/Media Specialists School administrators Technology Department Teachers

Expand integration of ISTE technology standards, PSC technology standards and GaDOE scope and sequence into daily lessons, curriculum maps and unit plans

50% integration-FY15 75% integration-FY16 100% integration-FY17

Lesson plans and GSO unit plans Professional portfolios Learning Village

E-Rate (internet access, network connectivity) Local and state funds/ SPLOST – $20,000

Superintendent Department of Curriculum and Instruction Principals Assistant Principals Media/Technology Specialists Teachers

Require use of data analysis systems (LDS and/or DataDirector) by administrators and teachers

90% utilization-FY15 95% utilization-FY16

100% utilization-FY17

Professional portfolios and spreadsheets Lesson plans

Local funds- $64,000

Superintendent Department of Curriculum and Instruction Title I Director Principals Assistant Principals Teachers

Continue to encourage all schools to enter student work in the Georgia Student Media Festival and other academic contests (World Math Day, World Science Day, World Spelling Day, etc.)

6 schools participate-FY15-17

School Festival System Festival State Entries Registration

Local funds/$1,000

Superintendent Department of Curriculum and Instruction Principals Media/Technology Specialists Teachers

Implement a BYOD plan.

6th-12th (select areas)-FY15 6-12th-FY16 4th-5th-FY17

Student, Teacher and Parent participation surveys Student assessments

E-Rate--$500,000 State Grants--$60,000 Local Funds--$100,000

Superintendent Department of Curriculum and Instruction Department of Technology Principals Teachers

Implement and install an IP video distribution system in all schools.

6 schools participate—FY15-17

Student and Teacher surveys Student assessments

E-Rate--$700,000 Local Funds--$100,000

Superintendent Department of Curriculum and Instruction Department of Technology Media/Technology Specialists Principals Teachers

Provide an instructional technology coach.

6 schools participate—FY15-17

Implementation Local Funds

Superintendent Department of Curriculum and Instruction Principals

GOAL: Increase administrative uses of technology.

Provide professional development opportunities related to technology

Offer 1-2 classes-FY15-17

Staff development needs assessment Course listings Registration forms

E-Rate(internet access, network connectivity) Title IIA SPLOST/$10,000

Superintendent Human Resources Department of Curriculum and Instruction Technology Department

Continue to maintain an electronic forms management system and student information system

Electronic board meetings, electronic evaluation, SIS and accounting measures—FY15-17

Implementation Local funds/$40,000

Superintendent Technology Department Human Resources Business Department Department of Curriculum and Instruction School administrators

GOAL: Increase parent/community uses of technology.

Maintain a web-based program which allows parents to access their student’s schedule, attendance, assignments and grades. Maintain computer-based school nutrition payment program, test history, online course requests and parent notification system.

Attendance, Schedules, Grades-FY15-17 Nutrition and parent notification—FY15-17 Online course requests—FY17 Test history—FY17

Implementation Website

E-Rate (internet access) Local funds SCNS

Superintendent Department of Curriculum and Instruction Technology Department School administrators School Nutrition Department

Increase use and interactivity of teacher web pages

100% participation-FY15-17

Implementation Website

E-Rate (web hosting)$6,000 yr. Local funds/ $2,000 yr.

Superintendent Principals Assistant Principals Media/Technology Specialists Teachers Technology Department

Provide workshops for parents to introduce them to the McDuffie County website and its benefits (PowerSchool, teacher webpages)

All schools-FY15-17

Newspaper /website announcements Calling system Sign in sheets Social Media

E-Rate(internet access, Web hosting, network connectivity) Grants Local funds/ $6,000 yr.

Superintendent Principals Assistant Principals Media/Technology Specialists Technology Department

Research and evaluate potential ways to bridge the digital divide (parent workshops on Internet Safety, school computer applications and beneficial websites)

All schools-FY15-FY17

Newspaper announcements Sign in sheets Calling system Social Media

E-Rate(internet access, Web hosting, network connectivity) $5,000 yr Local funds/ $3,000 yr.

Superintendent Principals Assistant Principals Media/Technology Specialists Technology Department

GOAL: Increase system readiness.

Maintain at least one full time Instructional Technology Specialist

FY15-17 Implementation Title I funds- 50% Local funds - 50%

Superintendent Department of Curriculum and Instruction Technology Director

Continue to create 21st Century classrooms (wireless, BYOD, video distribution, etc.).

All 6 schools—FY15-17 Installation

E-Rate (internet access) Title I SPLOST-$1,000,000 Grants Local funds- $500,000

Superintendent Department of Curriculum and Instruction Administrative Services Department Technology Director

III. Communication and Marketing - Communicating information, progress and evaluation results to others including parents, community, staff, and students, and the role of technology is accomplished in the following ways, but not limited to only these:

School district website School intranet for staff School websites Teacher websites System Report Card/CCRPI Score--highlights of system’s accomplishments including test results Annual Board Report- electronic list of past achievements in all areas with emphasis on instruction for the

past school year and goals to achieve in the current school year made available to staff, parents, and community

School newsletters Classroom or grade level newsletters School programs and PTO meetings Demonstrations, displays, and presentations to the school board, outside community groups, from school to

school, and parent groups School and system-wide technology committee meetings Technology and curriculum conference presentations by staff members Local news media Social media Calling system Web based reminder system

Through these communication techniques, the importance of student achievement of state and system curriculum standards is emphasized in all communications and used as the filter to share progress, information, and results. Evaluation results including test scores are published on the system website with events, announcements, and accomplishments of the system and schools. Users are informed of the support of technology as an effective tool to provide rigorous, engaging, and authentic learning experiences and impact on instruction in different ways.

Teachers are informed through: o Professional learning sessions that spotlight immediate technology uses to support instruction.

Immediate technology uses could include: File of linked websites targeting their specific instructional needs Equipment ready for a project with a complete how-to with visuals List of quick, usable integration ideas Friendly, effective support of the site based media/instructional technology specialist

o Staff email contact o Internet and intranet o Newsletters-paper and electronic o Focus and study groups o Media/Instructional staff

Parents and community members are informed and encouraged to become actively involved in the technology planning and initiatives through

o School webpage postings of student projects with visuals of finished products and information o Newsletter articles sharing updates on technology related projects o Invitations to school or classroom digital presentations illustrating completion of instructional projects o Technology sessions that not only show completed student projects and, but also allow the parents

and community to have hands-on experiences o Electronic field trips after students return through pictures and video o Entering a technology rich environment with technology in use by students and teachers o School council member initiatives o Signage systems

IV.Professional Development - McDuffie County ensures that all funds are spent on scientifically and/or evidence–based practices and products for all programs including the purchases of technology and technology tools by: • Providing technical assistance and professional learning focusing on program/materials selection as well as providing general leadership to teachers and other personnel on implementing practices (RESA) • Providing professional learning that is job-embedded (coaching, mentoring) • Implementing on-going professional learning activities (BYOD, Assessment for Learning, Depth of Knowledge, TKES/LKES, Collaboration Workshops, Thinking Maps, etc.) • Providing funds using Title and Perkins for CTAE teachers to attend state and national conferences to keep them abreast of the latest technology. • Encouraging technology staff and technology contacts from each school to attend state and national technology conferences to support and implement technology into the curriculum at all grade levels. • Providing professional learning as trained by GADOE in CCGPS, development of instructional units and differentiated instruction. • Purchasing by schools of all software, hardware and apps must have prior approval in order to guarantee support, consistency and quality by expecting research. The required form includes a description of the services or products to be purchased and a reference to educational research that provides scientific evidence to support the service, product and approach in instruction. A committee process is involved in making decisions for purchasing larger items or district initiatives such as Thinking Maps, Advanced Learning Systems credit recovery software, multimedia textbook supplemental materials. E-Rate funded network connections to online assessments, Discovery, NetTrekker, DataDirector, Lexia, Reading/Math Academy and Renaissance Place. The district requires vendors/consultants to provide scientific based research to support their products and services.

I. Appendix-

a. Acceptable Usage Policy

b. CIPA Policy (Internet Safety)

c. LoTi results

Appendix A

Appendix B

Technology protection measures to protect children and faculty have been in place since we have had internet access in the school system. Multiple methods are currently being used to protect the school systems assets, prevent outside intrusion, and insure appropriate material is being delivered to our children. Methods being deployed are network address translation (NAT), SPAM, FIREWALL, INTERNET CONTENT FILTERING and ANTI-VIRUS protection are in place. We use every measure possible to insure our children have an appropriate learning experience while in school using the Internet and other technology tools.

Board Policy Descriptor Code: IFBGE Internet Safety

It is the belief of the School System that the use of telecommunications, including the Internet, in instructional programs is an educational strategy that facilitates communication, innovation, resource sharing, and access to information. Use of the Internet must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational mission, goals, and objectives of the school system. It shall be the policy of the Board of Education that the school system shall have in continuous operation, with respect to any computers belonging to the school having access to the Internet: 1. A qualifying "technology protection measure," Currently using Fortinet Corp.’s “Fortigate 310B” Internet Firewall and filter, as that term is defined in Section 1703(b) (1) of the Children's Internet Protection Act of 2000; and 2. Procedures or guidelines developed by the superintendent, administrators and/or other appropriate personnel which provide for monitoring the online activities of users and the use of the chosen technology protection measure to protect against access through such computers to visual depictions that are: (i) Obscene, (ii) child pornography, or (iii) harmful to minors, as those terms are defined in Section 1703(b) (1) and (2) of the Children's Internet Protection Act of 2000. Such procedures or guidelines shall be designed to:

i. Provide for monitoring the online activities of users to prevent, to the extent Practicable, access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and the World Wide Web; ii. Promote the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications; iii. Prevent unauthorized access, including so-called "hacking," and other unauthorized activities by minors online; iv. Prevent the unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors; and v. Restrict minors' access to materials "harmful to minors," as that term is defined in Section 1703(b)(2) of the Children's Internet Protection Act of 2000.

McDuffie County Schools Date Adopted: 01/12/2006

Appendix C

LoTi Use Profile Results

2013-2014 school year