Walnut Springs I.S.D.

Technology Plan

2006-2007

Promoting Global Connectivity

Randy Edwards

Chris Hestilow / Henry Strauch

Superintendent

Principals

Pat Garrett

Technology Coordinator

  Board of Trustees

            Technology Team Members

With recent legislation and societal trends it is imperative that schools incorporate technology into the curriculum.  Without the funding of grants and the E-rate this would be virtually impossible for smaller, rural schools.  Walnut Springs is one of these schools.  Through participation in grants both individually and as a member of a consortium and participation in the E-rate program, we will be able to fulfill the goals established at the district level. 

The vision of Walnut Springs ISD is to provide each student with educational opportunities that will ensure that our students have the skills necessary to compete for the jobs they seek, the careers they pursue and the quality of life they desire.  In order to do this WSISD strives to maintain up-to-date equipment, supplies, and opportunities in technology as well as in all areas of the curriculum.

Integration of technology into the overall educational experience of students is imperative for our students to develop to their potential and equip them for life in this century and the ability to adjust to the changes that occur in everyday life.  These changes are evident when we consider that technology is changing the job market in such a way that the jobs of tomorrow are nonexistent today.  Through up-to-date technology education, we can equip students with the skills necessary to manage their personal lives and gain the skills necessary to pursue one of these careers of the future.  The future holds no limits for those who have a strong foundation in technology.  Technology should be integrated into the curriculum so that it is the means to an end rather than the end itself.

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Walnut Springs ISD makes the following commitments to the accomplishment of the goals set forth in the technology plan

* Provide funding for the recurring cost of the technology program
* Correlate all local goals with the state goals
* Provide incentives for teachers to maintain competencies above the state mandated level

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Planning is at the basis of developing a successful technology system.  Thorough and ongoing planning will allow Walnut Springs ISD to maintain a quality program with up-to-date hardware, software, and network support.  Fundamental to the planning process is determining the specific needs of our students and teachers.  This plan will outline the needs, current conditions, goals and parameters for change to assist in developing a forward-thinking technology department.

Assessment Process
WSISD Technology Committee will meet prior to Site Base Committee meetings to determine considerations in the area of technology that need to be addressed at the Site Base meeting. Assessment of the technology deparment includes but is not limited to the use of surveys, personal interviews, informal meetings, sitebase meetings, Texas STaR Chart, and assessment of current year maintenance logs.
Annual teacher surveys to determine what programs are working, what programs need to be deleted and any new additions or updates that are available.  The technology committee will analyze this input and determine the feasibility of the results of the surveys.  Due to the small membership of the committee, the decisions will be made as a whole; rather than having subcommittee reports.
Maintenance logs are kept as a record of all requests for assistance in the area of technology. These will be studied and grouped into the areas as designated by the state; Teachings and learning(curriculum software), educator preparation(software and hardware), administration and support services (software and hardware)and infrastructure(hardware/network)
WSISD is researching availability of sites designed to allow a school district to design and conduct online surveys with personalized results.

Teacher / student needs assessments (goals)

Goals of the district are assessed and determined by the Site Based Decision-Making Committee and included in our Campus Plan for Improvement.  The Site Base Committee meets at the end of each semester.

The Site Based Committee has determined the 5 goals of Walnut Springs ISD will be to…

      …enhance student achievement

      …increase parent / community involvement

      …provide safe, productive learning environment

      …provide the highest qualified, productive staff

                  and

      …enhance communication between school and community

A subcommittee for each goal does needs assessments and submits its findings to the SBDM committee.  Goals for technology are included in the Campus Plan.  For a list of specific goals and the timelines for these goals please refer to Appendix C.

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Walnut Springs ISD has acquired most of its technology within the past 5 years through TIF grant funding and local contributions.  Existing conditions for the 4 areas emphasized by technology are described below.

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District goals for technology are developed by the Site Based Decision Making Committee at Walnut Springs ISD.  Within these 5 broad goals are strategies and initiatives that involve technology.  These are summarized according to the 4 areas addressed by technology.  For the specific goals and a timeline for Walnut Springs see Appendix G. 

      Application Software – Application software will be upgraded to reflect current technology in at least the areas of Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Database, Presentations and Web design.

      Administrative Software – Teachers will use WinSchool to view student information and E-class grades to maintain grades for report cards and permanent records.

Educator Preparation

      Local – Summer workshops will be held each year to improve the skill level of educators at the local level. See appendix F.  At least one teacher at the district level will maintain TA Certification.

      Off campus – ESC12 provides training in a variety of areas of technology at various skill levels.  Catalogs showing the offerings are given each teacher.

Administration & Support Services

      Local – Technology coordinator will complete continuing credit courses.

      Off campus – Continue contracting with ESC12 as ISP.

Infrastructure

      Networking – Any future expansion of the facilities will include cabling / drops to ensure all classrooms are connected to the LAN.

      Servers – No expansions to existing servers is needed at this time.

      Internet Connections – Maintaining the T1 line for Internet access. EDLINK12 at ESC12 in Waco will be the Internet Service provider.

      Video Conferencing – Expand course offerings.  EDLINK 12 coordinates these classes.

      Computers –We now have 28 teacher computers which meets the requirements of a 1:1 ratio. There are 64 student stations on the LAN and 12 Waterford Reading computers which are not on the LAN. Two mobile units with computers for a total of 106 computers. There are sufficient computers to meet a 3:1 student ratio..

      Peripherals – A scanner will need to be placed in the elementary lab and 1 additional scanner will need to be placed in the high school lab. Maintenance of the units will be provided..

      Network usage– Students have access to local curriculum software at all times. Access to the Interet is limited to those who have an AUP on file for the current year.

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Implementation – Planning and implementation is a dynamic process.  For success of any project, flexibility is as important as planning.  The timeline in the previous plan has been ahead of schedule as a result of the TIF grant.  Implementation of new technologies is closely linked to funding.

New and emerging technologies – As a part of EDLINK12, Walnut Springs is kept informed of new and emerging technologies.  It is important that we consider our local needs when determining what new technologies to implement at WSISD.  As new developments emerge WSISD will evaluate the technology, assess the correlation of the technology to our specific needs and determine whether it will be beneficial to the district.

Professional development – State of the art technology is of no use without the knowledge of how to use it.  Teachers are instructed during conference times or after school on an as desired basis.  Six teachers have participated in the TIF Tech workshops in accordance with the TIF/TIE grant.  Peer tutoring / teaching is an important part of teachers’ learning.  ESC12 at Waco also provides workshops / in-services for teachers throughout the year.  A catalog showing dates and times is given to each teacher.  Schedules are available on-line at the ESC12 website. (esc12.net)

Purchasing – All purchases are made using the mandates set forth by the state with regard to bidding.  Vendors who are QISV certified are considered first. 

Community Resources – Walnut Springs has no major industry as indicated in our demographic summary.  WSISD works closely with the City Offices to promote school community relations, which will allow us to become more aware of community resources.

Legal Aspects – WSISD follows all state mandates and TASB guides when determining the technology curriculum for the district.  TEKS are followed at each level K-12. 

Curriculum, Instruction, and Evaluation – Computer applications will be integrated into all class levels and subjects.  Software for SAT, ACT and TAAS preparation will be included at the appropriate grade levels. Student research using the Internet will be included at all grade levels. This will aid instruction by allowing additional practice for students.  Programs allow for immediate feedback, evaluation by both student and teacher, and monitoring of student progress.

Philosophy – WSISD’s philosophical embodiment includes students using technology to the greatest extent possible to enhance the education process. Technology will never be an end itself; but will facilitate the overall educational experience of students.

Networking – The LAN provides district wide connectivity.  The MDF is located in the high school computer lab.  The IDF is located in the Career / Technology Home Economics Room.   The network is running on a Novell 4.11system.

Special Needs Learners – Spanish versions of software will need to be acquired to accommodate the large population of ESL students at WSISD.  Special adaptive devices will be acquired on an as needed basis for students with special needs.  Two touch screens are available at the present time.  The High School Computer Lab is equipped to meet federal requirements for the handicapped.

Security – Network / Internet security is provided by Novell BorderManager.  A firewall is also in place at the EDLINK12 level.  All network equipment is kept in a locked closet.

Community Involvement – All parents of the school community are encouraged to work with their children in learning about computer technology and in the use of the knowledge gained.  Including pertinent school information on the web site will increase community/school involvement.

Funding – Walnut Springs ISD is committed to the advancement of the district’s technology program.  All funding that is designated for technology is spent in that area.  Allowable funds from other special programs are used to improve technology at the school when it falls within the guidelines for expenditures for that fund.

Support – Software – Peer support for teachers and students provides the basis of software support.  Teachers who attend training workshops are encouraged to share new concepts with each other.

Hardware / technical support – Most support is on site.  Warrantees are still in effect for most equipment in the department.  Hardware that cannot be repaired on site is serviced by an outside technician.

Lifelong Learners – One of the goals of Walnut Springs ISD is to promote community involvement.  We are assessing the needs of the community to enable us to best suit the needs of those persons in the community who wish to expand their skills in the area of technology.

Facilities – All facilities at Walnut Springs ISD are up to date.  There are adequate furnishings and circuitry to support the technology present and projected at the school.  A facilities grant is being considered and will include the necessary cabling to provide connectivity at the district level.

All facilities at Walnut Springs ISD meet federal requirements to the handicapped.  This includes the high school computer lab.

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