LA VERNIA ISD
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DISTRICT PROFILE
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Plan Introduction
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Technology Planning Committee
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Executive Summary
This document embodies a long-range plan designed to guide technology expansion, integration and operation for La Vernia ISD. The plan insures compliance with and alignment to federal, state and local technology guidelines, including NCLB (No Child Left Behind, E-Rate and the Long Range Plan for Technology. The Long-Range Plan for Technology (LRPT) of the Texas State Board of Education plots the course for meeting educational needs through technology and for implementing changes in education. Our plan is also in alignment with the major goals of the new National Education Technology Plan.This plan serves as the basis for all future technological development and instructional technology innovation on the campuses and throughout the District. The plan will be assessed and updated annually in order to keep pace with technological and educational change. This will assure that innovative technologies and techniques and the latest information are always made available to our staff and students.
The plan covers all aspects of technology and information delivery, including telecommunications, infrastructure, computers and communications, curriculum and content, support, human infrastructure, and professional development. The District-level plan is coordinated with the goals and objectives set forth in each school’s Campus Improvement Plan.
Technology goals, objectives, and strategies, and curriculum and content guidelines, are based on ongoing analysis of campus and District needs in conjunction with the State and Federal mandates. Various models including student/computer ratios, usage and demand tracking and inventory aging are used to adjust and guide upgrades, purchases and infrastructure expansion.
Leading-edge uses of new technology tools, including distance learning and streaming web-based video content, allow La Vernia ISD to bring learning and interaction opportunities to its students and staff that are not otherwise available or are not cost-effective through any other means. Innovative student programs, including student-teacher mentoring programs and the hiring of students to perform technical and support duties offers unique on-the-job experience to students while expanding the human infrastructure in place to support District technology.
All technology and information delivery systems installed in La Vernia ISD are chosen by design to provide maximum functionality and longevity, providing the best possible return on the District’s investment. It is important not only to provide the best technology and information tools available but also to deliver maximum benefit and utility to both students and staff. All infrastructure installed is designed for a ten year lifespan with minimum need for upgrade or maintenance, and is designed to encompass future growth and foreseeable future technology trends and needs.
La Vernia’s technology plan provides a comprehensive framework assuring the students in La Vernia ISD will receive a world-class technology-based education second to none. Technology and information skills are being increasingly integrated throughout the curriculum, and new and innovative methods of incorporating technology in education will assure our students are ready for the workplace of tomorrow.
Needs Assessment
Assessment Process:Needs assessment is ongoing and consists of gathering information through various sources including user requests, teacher surveys, campus improvement plans, inventories, inventory aging reports, grant requirements and the Texas STaR (School Technology and Readiness) Chart. The results of these assessments, with emphasis placed on the STaR Chart data, is analyzed to determine needs in infrastructure, resources, professional development and technical support.
The needs assessment process is guided by the principle of total cost of ownership (TCO) as it relates to balancing the need to maintain up-to-date technology with cost-effective long-term maintenance of the District’s investment in technology. It is the goal of La Vernia’s TCO efforts to maximize the utilization and efficiency of the technology infrastructure, including human infrastructure. TCO efforts help eliminate being saddled with “ten year old systems that have been upgraded to death” while insuring each system is utilized to its fullest during its useful lifespan. La Vernia ISD's TCO guidelines are included in their entirety as an appendix.
Existing Conditions:
La Vernia ISD currently has a District-wide
privately-owned fiberoptic WAN utilizing Gigabit Ethernet, a fully switched
100Mbps Ethernet LAN connecting every school, classroom and office Districtwide
to the Intranet, and CIPA-compliant Internet access available on every computer
in every classroom and office. Wireless Ethernet access is available on every
campus and in every administration building.
La Vernia ISD owns and
maintains its own web, e-mail and file servers, and is connected to the Internet
via five T1 lines. One of the T1 lines is connected to the Education Service
Center, Region 20, providing distance-learning and video distribution services,
as well as ISP services. The other four T1 lines are connected to AT&T for
direct Internet access. Two lines were added during 2006 in order to realize
increased throughput and keep up with growth in the number of users and
computers.
District and campus websites are maintained for both internal
use and external communication with parents and the community. E-mail is
provided for all teachers, staff and administrators, and may be accessed from
anywhere on the Internet.
Streaming web-based video content is available
from multiple District-owned Cisco IPTV content servers, and a Cisco content
engine provided through a TARGET grant with Region 20.
Through a TIE
grant with Edgewood ISD in conjunction with a TIF distance learning grant, there
is an IP-based distance learning live teleconferencing system installed on every
campus.
There are now over 1,400 modern multimedia computers installed
for student, teacher and administrative use, most of them of the Pentium III or
Pentium 4 class. Overall access ratios are 1:3 for students and 1:1 for teachers
and administrators.
Over 200 older computers have been repurposed into
thin client workstations using Windows Terminal Services available from District
blade servers. The thin clients have allowed us to make high-speed Internet and
applications available to students and teachers without the expenditure required
for traditional desktop computers.
Every campus has access to shared
traditional and hand-held SmartBoard devices, digital video projectors, digital
cameras and camcorders, scanners, and other innovative technologies.
Through innovative use of funding sources, Elementary, High School and
Junior High School have access to mobile computer carts loaded with wireless
networked laptop computers in order to facilitate on-demand 1:1
student-to-computer ratios as the need arises.
A TARGET2 grant was
awarded to La Vernia ISD and its collaborative partners including Edgewood ISD
(see grant summary in the appendix). This grant funded the innovative Generation
Y student technology program in grades 3-12, enhancing student technology skills
and then teaching students how to work with their teachers to create a library
of web-based technology-infused lessons to enhance the curriculum. These
students became technology mentors for their partner teachers.
The
TARGET2 grant placed a wireless laptop computer in the hands of all La Vernia
ISD Elementary and Junior High School core content teachers, and funded an
online system for curriculum management and accountability that is compliant
with the requirements of NCLB.
To facilitate our extensive ongoing
research-based professional development program, the TARGET2 grant provided for
the establishment of teacher technology benchmark exams and supporting
professional development designed to ensure all teachers meet minimum SBEC
technology proficiency levels. After the end of TARGET funding, we have
continued the professional development through other funding sources.
The District currently has a full-time Director of Technology, two full
time and one part-time Technical Support Specialists. Outsourcing and the use of
innovative remote-management and deployment systems, including Altiris
Enterprise (detailed below), have allowed this small staff to keep abreast of
the initiatives in this plan. As District growth continues, additional
technology personnel will be sought as needed in order to maintain adequate
support, particularly as new schools are constructed.
In order to
improve user support and minimize downtime, the Altiris Enterprise system
management server and helpdesk software is utilized by La Vernia ISD in order to
permit remote, unattended reloading and reconfiguration of software, as well as
supporting helpdesk functions to provide better support and repair to users,
while minimizing the demands on the Technology Department staff.
Policies guiding all aspects of computer and Internet access and
appropriate use have been in place for years, and are constantly updated. See
these policies in full in the appendix.
For more details on the current
conditions of the District, including a historical overview of all progress
made, see the links in the appendix.
Technology Needs:
In no particular order of importance, the
following are identified as ongoing needs for La Vernia ISD:
Provide
more technology tools, including computers, SmartBoard devices, digital video
projectors, digital cameras and camcorders, scanners, wireless laptop and
handheld computers, and additional applications, professional development and
instructional software and streaming content.
Provide additional
technology-based vocational programs for students.
Provide our students
with the technology tools and skills they need to become independent,
self-motivated learners.
Provide non-traditional, innovative learning
opportunities to our students, staff, parents and the community.
Provide
additional professional staff development targeted at technology implementation
and integrating technology into the curriculum, and make it available more
frequently on a flexible schedule.
Ensure our teachers meet minimum SBEC
technology proficiencies and assist them toward SBEC certification.
Enhance the ability of teachers and staff to communicate, share, and
interact with their peers, both within and across district boundaries.
Continue our ongoing efforts to integrate technology into the curriculum
and further our alignment to the TEKS curriculum guidelines, particularly the
TA-TEKS.
Provide better tools to our teachers and staff, allowing them
more flexibility and empowering them to lead and innovate.
Provide
better technology support and maintenance; become more proactive than reactive;
respond to problems faster.
Continue to expand the existing
infrastructure, adding more computers, printers, and supporting infrastructure
as growth, needs and equipment life cycles demand.
Provide tools and
equipment to improve accountability and facilitate record keeping and business
processes.
Continue and expand programs, partnerships and collaboratives
in order to bring more resources and innovative programs to the educational
community.
Continue to seek additional sources of funding to supplement
local funds, Title II part D funds, and the Technology Allotment, through
grants, awards, endowments, donations, consortia and partnerships.
Goals, Objectives, and Strategies
| GOAL 1: Teaching and Learning - Utilize technology as a tool to foster improvement in academic achievement, curriculum integration, and increased accessibility and innovation. | |||||||||
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| Strategies | State/Status: | Timeline: | Person(s) Responsible: | Evidence: | |||||
| 1.1.1: | Implement Generation Y Program in grades 3-12 to enhance
student technology skills and teach students how to communicate and work
with teachers to create a library of web-based technology-infused lessons
in all subject areas.
Comments: Although the program ended due to loss of TARGET grant funding, the students who participated in the program continue to assist teachers as peer mentors, and we retain access to and use all student projects created by Gen Y students. LEA LRPT Correlates: EP04, TL05, TL07, TL08, TL09 |
State: Original
Status: Completed |
2004-2006 | Gen Y Teachers, TARGET Grant Project Director, classroom teachers, Technology Director | Library of student-created projects | ||||
| 1.1.2: | Encourage students to research, create and present
assignments and projects in multimedia online format utilizing innovative
technologies including SmartBoard devices, digital media, web-based
content, distance learning and streaming video.
LEA LRPT Correlates: TL07, TL09, TL12 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Classroom teachers, librarians, Technology Director | Growth of library of student-created technology-infused lessons. | ||||
| 1.1.3: | Provide innovative on-demand curriculum and instructional
resources including web-based IPTV streaming video content and distance
learning live video teleconferencing.
LEA LRPT Correlates: TL05, TL08, TL09, TL10, TL12, TL16 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Campus teachers, librarians, curriculum specialists, Technology Director | Library of content and statistics of use. | ||||
| 1.1.4: | Use administrative software to analyze student success,
strengths and weaknesses.
LEA LRPT Correlates: LAS05, TL05, TL06, TL07, TL09 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Campus teachers, curriculum specialists, counselors, principals | Test results, reports, guidance to curriculum development process | ||||
| 1.1.5: | Ensure full implementation of the TA-TEKS curriculum by
implementing student TA-TEKS benchmark assessments.
Comments: Teachers have created TEKS-correlated benchmark assessments for students in grades 3-8 and scored and analyzed the results using AEIS-IT. The resulting information has proved so useful that the program will be expanded to grades 9-12 next year. LEA LRPT Correlates: EP02, EP05, LAS03, TL01, TL02, TL04, TL05, TL06, TL07, TL09, TL11 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
2006-ongoing | Curriculum specialists, principals, campus teachers | Existence of benchmarks, results fed into STaR Chart and campus plans | ||||
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| Strategies | State/Status: | Timeline: | Person(s) Responsible: | Evidence: | |||||
| 1.2.1: | Technology integration and implementation lessons focused
on meeting SBEC technology proficiencies and integrating technology
throughout the curriculum will be provided on an ongoing basis,
individualized to meet the needs of each teacher based on the results of
locally-developed and administered SBEC Technology Proficiency benchmark
exams.
LEA LRPT Correlates: EP02, EP05, EP08, LAS12 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director, technology staff, Curriculum Director | Number of teachers meeting SBEC technology proficiency level | ||||
| 1.2.2: | Teacher technology implementation levels will be assessed
using the LoTi (Level of Technology Implementation) online assessment
scale giving a picture of technology integration within each classroom.
All teachers must take the LoTi assessment at least once yearly.
LEA LRPT Correlates: EP03, EP05, LAS12, TL08 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Curriculum Director, Technology Director, campus principals | LoTi assessment results, direction to campus action plans | ||||
| 1.2.3: | Technology integration will be a part of all campus
improvement plans created by each school’s Campus Site-Based Committee.
LEA LRPT Correlates: LAS01, LAS02, LAS12, TL01, TL02, TL10 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Committees and Site-Based Committees | Campus Plans | ||||
| 1.2.4: | Every teacher's classroom technology integration and
implementation skills will be assessed during PDAS and other classroom
observations and teacher appraisals.
LEA LRPT Correlates: EP05, LAS03, LAS05, LAS12 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Campus principals, Curriculum Director, Technology Director | PDAS and other observation reports | ||||
| 1.2.5: | All campus administrators and others involved in the
teacher and curriculum appraisal process are required to attend
research-based Curriculum Using Technology training sessions designed to
ensure campus and District administrators understand how to recognize,
evaluate and promote proper technology integration in the classroom. CUT
training is four days in duration, and is performed by ESC Region 20
certified trainers.
LEA LRPT Correlates: EP05, EP09, LAS03, LAS05, LAS08, LAS10, LAS12 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director, Curriculum Director, Superintendent | Sign-in sheets | ||||
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| Strategies | State/Status: | Timeline: | Person(s) Responsible: | Evidence: | |||||
| 1.3.1: | Provide adaptive hardware including Alphasmarts, touch
screens, trackballs, adaptive keyboards, etc., and software including
Success Maker, CEI Essential Learning Systems, EdMark, NovaNet and others.
LEA LRPT Correlates: I05, TL09 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Special Education Director and staff, Technology Director, Curriculum Director | IEP and ARD reports | ||||
| 1.3.2: | Expand technology hardware access by increasing the number
and availability of wireless networked laptop computer lab carts, adding
more digital projection devices and portable SmartBoards, and by adding
more dedicated multi-use computer labs using thin-client and terminal
services technology.
LEA LRPT Correlates: TL13 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director and staff, campus principals, Technology Committee | Sign-out sheets and reservations for shared technology devices | ||||
| 1.3.3: | Setup "mini labs" in classrooms using older, repurposed
computers and donated computers operating as thin client terminals running
Windows Terminal Services and/or Citrix. These mini-labs are optimized for
web-based programs and networkable programs.
Comments: The repurposing of older computers into high-speed workstations through Terminal Services and Citrix saves significant funding by lengthening useful equipment life cycles and thus minimizing expenditures on new equipment. Full-function computers and thin clients are deployed depending upon the needs of the user and the applications they will run. LEA LRPT Correlates: I04, TL09 |
State: Revised
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology department | Number of requested units | ||||
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| Strategies | State/Status: | Timeline: | Person(s) Responsible: | Evidence: | |||||
| 1.4.1: | Campus and District facilities including distance learning
live video teleconferencing systems, library computers, multimedia
computer labs and streaming content servers will be made accessible to
parents and community members through after-hours use of the High School
Library and Distance Learning Center, on evenings and during special
midday adult literacy/ESL classes to benefit the parents and the community
as staff time and facility/equipment availability allows.
LEA LRPT Correlates: LAS07, LAS09 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology staff, ESL staff, curriculum specialists | Participation in classes, requests for new offerings | ||||
| 1.4.2: | Summer “Adult Computer Camps” will be offered to parents
and the community to improve technology literacy as staff time and
facility/equipment availability allows.
LEA LRPT Correlates: LAS07, LAS09 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology staff, curriculum staff, campus teachers | Attendance logs, requests for classes | ||||
| GOAL 2: Educator Preparation and Development - Promote growth in educators' effectiveness in integrating technology into the curriculum, achieving proficiency in SBEC Technology Standards, and transforming teaching practices by promoting student-centered learning. | |||||||||
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| Strategies | State/Status: | Timeline: | Person(s) Responsible: | Evidence: | |||||
| 2.1.1: | Continue offering professional development for teachers and
instructional staff that focuses on technology integration and
implementation, including Curriculum Using Technology training which
produces a web-based project ready for the teacher to implement after
training. Training will be offered through distance learning where
feasible to minimize travel.
LEA LRPT Correlates: EP01, EP03, EP04, EP06, EP07 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director, Technology Staff, ESC Region 20 Trainers | Attendance logs and certificates | ||||
| 2.1.2: | Technology integration and implementation lessons focused
on meeting SBEC technology proficiencies and integrating technology
throughout the curriculum will be provided on an ongoing basis to all
teachers, individualized to meet the needs of each teacher based on the
results of locally-developed and administered SBEC Technology Proficiency
benchmark exams.
LEA LRPT Correlates: EP08 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director, Technology Staff | Benchmark and exam results | ||||
| 2.1.3: | Continue offering on-demand training through the Technology
Department and ESC Region 20 to teachers and instructional staff as needed
to concentrate on areas of need in technology integration - this includes
on-site followup sessions for training provided by Region 20 trainers.
LEA LRPT Correlates: EP01, EP03 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Staff and ESC Region 20 trainers | Training logs | ||||
| 2.1.4: | Offer peer mentoring in conjunction with our collaborative
TARGET grant partners and ESC Region 20.
LEA LRPT Correlates: EP09 |
State: Original
Status: Completed |
2004-2006 | TARGET Grant Project Director | Mentoring session summaries and logs | ||||
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| Strategies | State/Status: | Timeline: | Person(s) Responsible: | Evidence: | |||||
| 2.2.1: | Test teachers using locally-developed SBEC teacher
technology competency benchmark exams and supporting customized
professional development units to insure all teachers meet minimum SBEC
technology proficiency standards.
LEA LRPT Correlates: EP05, EP08 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Curriculum Director and Technology Staff | Number of teachers meeting SBEC proficiency on benchmarks | ||||
| 2.2.2: | Provide incentives for teachers meeting SBEC proficiencies,
including wireless laptop computers and digital cameras and camcorders.
Comments: This strategy has been delayed due to grant-related funding cuts; we are looking for alternative funding sources including new grants in order to implement this strategy. LEA LRPT Correlates: EP05, EP08, TL11 |
State: Original
Status: Planned |
2006-ongoing | Curriculum Director, Technology Director | Number of teachers achieving competency on benchmarks | ||||
| 2.2.3: | Offer video professional development and best practices
video content designed to increase SBEC proficiency utilizing the
Districtwide IPTV streaming content system.
LEA LRPT Correlates: EP01, EP08, TL08 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Staff, campus librarians | Usage logs | ||||
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| Strategies | State/Status: | Timeline: | Person(s) Responsible: | Evidence: | |||||
| 2.3.1: | Distance learning opportunities are encouraged whenever
possible including VFTs (Virtual Field Trips), connections between
campuses and grant consortium members, and with educational content
providers including the ESC Region 20.
LEA LRPT Correlates: EP06, EP08, LAS15, TL08, TL11, TL12 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Librarians, campus teachers | Usage logs | ||||
| 2.3.2: | External technology courses will be provided as appropriate
for all teachers through ESC Region 20 and content providers such as
Connected University.
LEA LRPT Correlates: EP01, EP03, EP06, EP07, EP08 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director, ESC Region 20 Trainers | Course certificates | ||||
| 2.3.3: | Teacher technology academies will provide teachers with the
necessary instruction to learn the skills required to meet the SBEC
guidelines; the instructors will model best practices, and the sessions
will be captured digitally and made available via the IPTV streaming
content system for future reference. Each participant will produce a
technology-infused lesson for use in their content area.
Comments: There has been less opportunity for streaming video capture of training sessions than anticipated due to copyright restrictions from training providers. LEA LRPT Correlates: EP01, EP03, EP04, EP06, EP08, TL08 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Staff, identified Technology Star Teachers and Campus Staff | Library of captured academy sessions, lessons created by teachers | ||||
| GOAL 3: Leadership, Administration and Support - Improve quality of communication to facilitate data-driven decision making processes in the areas of student records (achievement, attendance, Special Education , and discipline), community partnerships, parent awareness and involvement, and other support services. | |||||||||
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| Strategies | State/Status: | Timeline: | Person(s) Responsible: | Evidence: | |||||
| 3.1.1: | All schools will participate in an online system for
curriculum management and accountability which will include regularly
maintained and updated curriculum for all grade levels and subject areas.
LEA LRPT Correlates: LAS05, TL06 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Curriculum Director, curriculum specialists, teachers | Online lesson plans and accountability information | ||||
| 3.1.2: | All campuses will analyze AEIS data to adjust campus goals
and make decisions regarding the improvement of student achievement.
LEA LRPT Correlates: LAS05, TL06 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Curriculum Director, curriculum staff, campus administrators | Reports | ||||
| 3.1.3: | All campuses will continue to utilize an online grade book
to maintain student grades and generate reports for student, parent and
campus administration use.
LEA LRPT Correlates: LAS11 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Staff, teachers | GradeSpeed report cards and online records, parental access accounts in GradeSpeed.net | ||||
| 3.1.4: | All campuses and administrative offices will continue to
use online student record and administrative software.
LEA LRPT Correlates: LAS11 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Staff | Online student records, administrative and business records in RSCCC 2000 | ||||
| 3.1.5: | All teachers and staff will receive training in the use of
GradeSpeed and RSCCC 2000 as appropriate.
LEA LRPT Correlates: EP06, LAS11, TL06 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Staff, ESC Region 20 Trainers | Attendance logs | ||||
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| Strategies | State/Status: | Timeline: | Person(s) Responsible: | Evidence: | |||||
| 3.2.1: | All staff will be encouraged to use electronic means to
communicate student progress and school activities and events, including
e-mail, campus and District web pages, and online newsletters.
LEA LRPT Correlates: LAS07, LAS09, LAS13, TL07, TL10, TL13, TL15, TL16 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Staff, District and campus webmasters | E-mails, web pages, online newsletters | ||||
| 3.2.2: | District and campus web pages will be maintained and
updated with information relevant to parents and community members
including job announcements, meeting dates/locations and educational
opportunities.
LEA LRPT Correlates: LAS13, TL13, TL15, TL16 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Staff, District and campus webmasters | Hits on website, current postings | ||||
| 3.2.3: | The La Vernia ISD Long-Range Technology Plan and all
associated policies and information will be updated regularly by the
Technology Committee and posted on the Technology section of the District
web page.
LEA LRPT Correlates: I03, TL14 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director, Technology Committee | Meeting sign-in sheets, updated plans posted on website. | ||||
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| Strategies | State/Status: | Timeline: | Person(s) Responsible: | Evidence: | |||||
| 3.3.1: | Library automation software will be used and maintained by
all campuses.
LEA LRPT Correlates: TL10, TL11 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Librarians, Technology Director | Follett reports | ||||
| 3.3.2: | Electronic means will be used to track technology
inventories and work orders.
LEA LRPT Correlates: TL01 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director | Altiris HelpDesk reports, fixed asset inventories from FAMP (Fixed Assets Management Program) | ||||
| 3.3.3: | Teacher and staff evaluations will be maintained
electronically.
Comments: Although the records are being maintained electronically, further work remains on indexing and organizing the records in a more meaningful way. LEA LRPT Correlates: EP08, I08, LAS14 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Campus and District administrators | PDAS database records and reports, online evaluation records for administrators | ||||
| 3.3.4: | The La Vernia ISD Long-Range Technology Plan and all
associated policies and information will be updated regularly by the
Technology Committee and posted on the Technology section of the District
web page. The plan will be written and submitted for approval or
update/renewal before filing the E-Rate Form 470.
LEA LRPT Correlates: LAS01, LAS02, LAS04 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director, Technology Committee | Online technology plan and associated documents | ||||
| GOAL 4: Infrastructure for Technology - Maintain and increase as needed the capability and stability of the LAN (Local Area Network), District WAN (Wide Area Network), Internet connectivity, user to computer ratios, and emerging technologies as appropriate. | |||||||||
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| Strategies | State/Status: | Timeline: | Person(s) Responsible: | Evidence: | |||||
| 4.1.1: | The La Vernia ISD privately-owned fiber WAN links
(currently Gigabit Ethernet) and copper LAN links (currently switched
100Mbps) and all related switching equipment will be maintained and
upgraded/expanded as necessary.
LEA LRPT Correlates: I01, I02, I06, I07 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director and Technology Staff | Proper operation of LAN/WAN, purchasing documents for maintenance contracts and upgrades | ||||
| 4.1.2: | Existing Ethernet wireless access points will be maintained
and upgraded/expanded as necessary, and new wireless access points will be
added as needed to support campus-wide wireless access on every campus and
in the administrative offices.
Comments: Campus-wide access now exists throughout the Elementary and Junior High campuses; High School will undergo heavy expansion of wireless coverage during 2005/2006. LEA LRPT Correlates: I01, I06, I07 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director and technology staff | Availability of network, purchasing documents | ||||
| 4.1.3: | The District will maintain sufficient network server and
storage resources to meet the needs of all instructional and
administrative endeavors, and will upgrade and/or replace this equipment
as needed to meet future growth and technological development.
Comments: In order to accommodate growth, all servers were relocated to a new, larger facility with increased power and improved air conditioning in March 2005. Core switching, routing and phone equipment remain in the previous facility, now better able to handle significant switching and telephony growth. LEA LRPT Correlates: I01, I07 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director and technology staff | Availability of sufficient network resources, purchasing documents | ||||
| 4.1.4: | The Intranet will be accessible from all computers
District-wide, and roaming profiles will enable access of key files and
software by any user from any computer.
LEA LRPT Correlates: I01 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director and technology staff | Accessibility of the Intranet and user data from any networked computer | ||||
| 4.1.5: | The District will continue to work to secure outside
funding and discount sources including E-Rate to maintain and enhance
network infrastructure.
Comments: The loss of availability of TIFF-grant funding and cutbacks to Title-II Part D TARGET grant funding are making this process increasingly challenging. LEA LRPT Correlates: I01, I03 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director and Business Manager | Obtaining of E-Rate and grant funding | ||||
| |||||||||
| Strategies | State/Status: | Timeline: | Person(s) Responsible: | Evidence: | |||||
| 4.2.1: | The Internet will continue to be accessible on every
computer and in every classroom and office District-wide.
LEA LRPT Correlates: I01, I06 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director and Technology Staff | Internet accessible on every networked computer | ||||
| 4.2.2: | Routers, web servers and e-mail servers will be maintained
and upgraded/replaced as necessary to insure La Vernia ISD maintains its
web presence and that the Internet and e-mail is available from every
computer District-wide.
LEA LRPT Correlates: I01, I06, I08 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director and Technology Staff | Internet accessible from every networked computer, District web site and e-mail accessible worldwide | ||||
| 4.2.3: | Links to ISPs (Internet Service Providers) including T1 and
other data circuits and the associated Internet access will be secured and
maintained as appropriate to insure Internet connectivity and a web
presence for La Vernia ISD.
LEA LRPT Correlates: I01, I06, I08 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director and Technology Staff | Availability of District web site and e-mail worldwide | ||||
| 4.2.4: | The District will maintain interactive web-based services,
including streaming content, with both internal and external components.
LEA LRPT Correlates: I06, I08 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director, District and campus webmasters | Web-based services available on Internet and Intranet | ||||
| 4.2.5: | District and campus web sites will be maintained, and will
be optimized to support the needs of students, teachers and staff.
LEA LRPT Correlates: I01, I03, I06, I08 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology staff, District and campus webmasters | District and campus web pages available on the Internet | ||||
| 4.2.6: | The District will continue to work to secure outside
funding and discount sources including E-Rate to maintain and enhance
Internet services.
Comments: The loss of availability of TIFF-grant funds, and the cutbacks to Title-II Part D TARGET grant funding, make this process increasingly challenging. LEA LRPT Correlates: I01, I02, I03, I08 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director, Business Manager | Funding commitments, grant awards, proposals | ||||
| |||||||||
| Strategies | State/Status: | Timeline: | Person(s) Responsible: | Evidence: | |||||
| 4.3.1: | The POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) land-line telephone
system and all required analog and/or multiplexed voice and fax lines will
continue to be maintained and upgraded/replaced as necessary to ensure
accessibility on all campuses and in all offices as needed to support the
mission of the District.
LEA LRPT Correlates: I01, I08 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director and Business Manager | Bills, usage summaries | ||||
| 4.3.2: | Long-distance service in support of all District land-line
phones will be maintained and adjusted as required to ensure
cost-effective, reliable access.
LEA LRPT Correlates: I01, I08 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director and Business Manager | Bills, usage summaries | ||||
| 4.3.3: | Cellular telephone services, including access and
telephones, will be maintained and adjusted as required in support of the
educational purposes of the District in a cost-effective reliable fashion.
LEA LRPT Correlates: I01, I08 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director and Business Manager | Bills, usage summaries, user requests for new service | ||||
| 4.3.4: | The District will continue to work to secure outside
funding and discount sources including E-Rate to maintain and enhance
telecommunications services.
LEA LRPT Correlates: I02, I03 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director and Business manager | Funding commitments, grant awards, proposals | ||||
| |||||||||
| Strategies | State/Status: | Timeline: | Person(s) Responsible: | Evidence: | |||||
| 4.4.1: | La Vernia ISD will maintain a student-to-computer ratio of
at least 1:3 overall, and a teacher/professional-to-computer ratio of 1:1.
In computer labs and technology labs, and mobile cart-based laptop labs,
student-to-computer ratios will be maintained at 1:1.
LEA LRPT Correlates: I03, I04, I05, I06 |
State: Revised
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director, Technology Committee, principals | Total number of computers available to students, teachers, administrators. | ||||
| 4.4.2: | When feasible, special-purpose computing devices such as
mobile wireless laptop computer labs, handhelds, tablet and “palm”
computing devices will be used to lower student-to-computer ratios in
innovative and cost-effective ways.
Comments: Mobile wireless laptop computer labs are now available on our Elementary, Junior High and High School campuses. LEA LRPT Correlates: EP08, I02, I05, LAS03, TL13 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director, Technology Committee, campus principals | Innovative special-purpose computing devices are in-place and in-use | ||||
| |||||||||
| Strategies | State/Status: | Timeline: | Person(s) Responsible: | Evidence: | |||||
| 4.5.1: | The existing distance-learning live video teleconferencing
systems located in every school will be maintained and upgraded as needed
to facilitate distance education and promote collaborative learning and
interaction between schools, students, teachers, the community and content
providers.
LEA LRPT Correlates: I07, I09, LAS13, LAS15, TL10, TL12, TL13, TL15 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director | Distance learning systems remain up-to-date and fully functional; conference logs | ||||
| 4.5.2: | The existing District-wide IPTV streaming web-based
video-on-demand system will be maintained and upgraded/expanded through
the addition of new content engines and new content to facilitate and
promote just-in-time learning and the inclusion of innovative learning
resources.
LEA LRPT Correlates: I07, LAS15, TL13, TL15 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director, Technology Committee, Site-Based Committees, curriculum specialists, principals | Streaming content library of offerings; usage statistics; just-in-time availability of content Districtwide | ||||
| 4.5.3: | Special-purpose computing devices such as mobile wireless
laptop computer labs, handhelds, tablet and “palm” computing devices will
be used in every school to provide students access to innovative
technologies allowing non-traditional learning.
LEA LRPT Correlates: I04, I06, I07, LAS15, TL09, TL10, TL13, TL15, TL16 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director, Technology Committee, curriculum specialists, campus principals | Presence of innovative devices, usage logs | ||||
| 4.5.4: | Shared use and increased quantities of SmartBoard devices,
digital video projectors, scanners, digital cameras and digital camcorders
will continue to be available in every school to allow teachers and
students to present and collaborate in innovative and non-traditional
methods.
LEA LRPT Correlates: I07, I09, TL13 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director, Technology Committee, principals | Inventories; usage logs; user requests | ||||
| 4.5.5: | Partnerships and memberships with innovative distance
learning and streaming content providers (including the Educational
Service Center, Region 20) will be maintained in order to access the
broadest range of instructional and professional development content,
including VFTs (Virtual Field Trips).
LEA LRPT Correlates: EP08, I02, TL08, TL13 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director, TARGET Grant Director, Business Manager | Commitment forms, shared service agreements, consortium membership lists | ||||
| |||||||||
| Strategies | State/Status: | Timeline: | Person(s) Responsible: | Evidence: | |||||
| 4.6.1: | District data, storage systems and servers will be
protected from unauthorized access and data corruption through the use of
hardware firewalls, intrusion detection, anti-spam and anti-virus
software.
LEA LRPT Correlates: I01, LAS14 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director and Technology Staff | No or low frequency of virus infections and hacking/intrusions | ||||
| 4.6.2: | Physical protection and security of all data equipment will
continue to be maintained using climate-controlled locking wiring closets
and locking enclosed racks. Access to wiring and server closets is tightly
controlled by the Technology Department. All equipment including servers,
switches, routers, phone switches and administrative workstations is
protected by battery back-up UPS systems. All computing and printing
equipment not protected by UPS systems is connected to individual or
room-level surge suppression systems.
LEA LRPT Correlates: I01, LAS14 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director and Technology Staff | Incidence of equipment damage due to theft or environmental damage | ||||
| 4.6.3: | Data transmitted via wireless technologies and/or via the
Internet will be protected though the use of encryption technologies and
SSL certificates.
LEA LRPT Correlates: I01 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director | No or low frequency of hacking or tampering with data. | ||||
| 4.6.4: | All District data will continue to be protected from
corruption and loss through the use of automated archival tape backup
servers. Backups of all critical data are refreshed nightly, and full
backups including server boot images are regularly removed and archived
offsite as part of La Vernia ISD’s Disaster Recovery Plan.
LEA LRPT Correlates: I01 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director and Technology Staff | Archive logs | ||||
| 4.6.5: | Students and all users will be protected from harmful
Internet content through the use of CIPA-compliant advanced content
filtering by WebSense. The filtering parameters are assigned by user ID
and are age-and-grade appropriate. User-ID-based filtering parameters
insure that any student authenticating to the network on any computer,
even in an office, will be protected from harmful content.
LEA LRPT Correlates: I01, LAS14 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director | Logs of blocked/denied sites | ||||
| 4.6.6: | Acceptable and appropriate use of all District technology
is maintained through extensive signed AUPs (Acceptable Usage Policies)
including Student AUPs, Employee AUPs, Library Patron/Community Member
AUPs, Acceptable Posting Policies, Cellular and Wireless Phone AUPs,
DL/Video Release Forms and more. These policies are available in the
Appendix.
LEA LRPT Correlates: I01, I06, TL14 |
State: Original
Status: In Progress |
Ongoing | Technology Director, Technology Committee | Policy documents | ||||
Budget
Total amount of Title II, Part D formula funds received for the current year of this plan: $1,544.00Method of application for formula funds: Local Application
Budget year 2005 | ||
| Budget item | Cost | Funding Sources with amount per source |
| Staff Development | $165,650.00 | 29.0% TARGET 2 grant 0.7% Title II part D 70.3% Local |
| Telecommunications & Internet Access | $73,010.00 | 50% E-Rate discounts 50% Local |
| Materials & Supplies | $119,000.00 | 100% Local |
| Equipment | $185,725.00 | 10.8% TARGET 2 grant 1.7% Title II part D 40.0% Technology Allotment 47.5% Local |
| Maintenance | $73,750.00 | 100% Local |
| Miscellaneous Expenses | $7,600.00 | 100% Local |
| Total | $624,735.00 | |
Budget year 2006 | ||
| Budget item | Cost | Funding Sources with amount per source |
| Staff Development | $143,400.00 | 0.64% Title II part D 99.36% Local |
| Telecommunications & Internet Access | $73,010.00 | 53% E-Rate discounts 47% Local |
| Materials & Supplies | $119,000.00 | 100% Local |
| Equipment | $152,325.00 | 1.8% Title II part D 48.9% Technology Allotment 49.3% Local |
| Maintenance | $73,750.00 | 100% Local |
| Miscellaneous Expenses | $7,600.00 | 100% Local |
| Total | $569,085.00 | |
Budget year 2007 | ||
| Budget item | Cost | Funding Sources with amount per source |
| Staff Development | $143,400.00 | 1.08% Title II part D 98.02% Local |
| Telecommunications & Internet Access | $73,010.00 | 50% E-Rate discounts 50% Local |
| Materials & Supplies | $119,000.00 | 100% Local |
| Equipment | $152,325.00 | 45.1% Technology Allotment 54.9% Local |
| Maintenance | $73,750.00 | 100% Local |
| Miscellaneous Expenses | $7,600.00 | 100% Local |
| Total | $569,085.00 | |
Evaluation
Evaluation Process:La Vernia ISD monitors all technology implementations as part of our ongoing evaluation plan and as required by grant evaluation requirements.
The Technology Plan is reviewed and revised annually by the Technology Committee. Each campus has a Campus Site-Based Committee representative that communicates directly with the District Site-Based Committee. The District Site-Based Committee's Chair has a seat on the Technology Committee, which ensures constant communication and collaboration between the campuses, the District administration and the Technology and Curriculum departments.
Various surveys and data gathering instruments are used in our schools for collecting data. The Texas STaR (School Technology and Readiness) Chart is used as a primary working document for all technological decisions made by the District, in compliance with requirements of State mandates. The LoTi (Levels of Technology implementation) assessment is taken by all teachers at the end of each school year to access technology implementation and the effects of technology on teaching and learning. LoTi is used as a process for systemic reform, documents growth in technology proficiency, and provides assessment of and direction for the high-quality professional development delivered to meet the goals of NCLB and the LRPT.
All the collected data provides direction to our plan and our professional development offerings. The Technology Committee continually evaluates the impact of technology on teaching and learning.
It is the policy of La Vernia ISD that the entire Technology Plan, all technology-related policies, survey and data gathering results, and other pertinent information are posted on our District webpage.
Evaluation Method:
La Vernia ISD adheres to research-based
evaluation methods, especially the premise that we cannot improve schools
without improving the skills and abilities of the educators within them. We see
change as an individual process, and are investing in the intellectual capital
of the those who staff our schools.
The professional development
processes must be relevant to the principals and teachers, and must directly
address their specific needs and concerns. Therefore, the evaluation methods
used focus on school improvement resulting from individual teacher's
implementation of technology and its infusion into the curriculum.
La
Vernia ISD uses the STaR Chart and LoTi assessments, in combination with PDAS
(Professional Development and Appraisal System) results, as the model for
evaluating technology implementation and teacher professional development.
Principals are trained on what to look for in classrooms, and how to connect the
usage of technology to the PDAS document.
Observation, questionnaires
and benchmark testing are used to evaluate organizational support and change,
staff's use of newly-acquired knowledge and skills, and the effect of
educational technology on student learning outcomes.
The district
collects information on an ongoing basis in order to continually improve the
learning opportunities for students. In collaboration with Edgewood ISD (our
primary grant collaboration partner), La Vernia ISD is developing TA-TEKS
(Technology Application Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) benchmark
assessments providing feedback on student technology skills. The skills taught
through the TA-TEKS curriculum and measured by these assessments ensure that
elementary students to be prepared for the challenging academic standards in
Middle and High school.
Using the results of the various evaluation
instruments, members of the Technology Committee and the Technology Director
identify areas which need further attention and the steps that need to be taken
to ensure that the technology implemented is used to maximize student learning.
All resulting Teacher Professional Development sessions are counted toward a
teacher's CPE (Continuing Professional Education) hours.
To supplement
the regularly-scheduled Professional Development sessions and the traditional
classroom instructional delivery methods, La Vernia ISD employs a web-based
online video content system (Cisco IPTV) to deliver just-in-time on-demand staff
development and instructional video content. The system will use an online
database to log content usage, and these logs will be reviewed by the Technology
Director in order to tailor content to the areas of highest apparent need and
interest.
Every school in La Vernia ISD has its own Distance Learning
Interactive Video Teleconferencing system. These systems are used to bring in
Professional Development content for teachers, instructional content for
students and for electronic VFTs (Virtual Field Trips) and meetings. Requests
for videoconferences and logs of conference topics and participation are used by
the Technology Director and communicated to principals and stakeholders to
increase and focus system utilization and to aid in the selection of future
conference topics.
The Technology Director is responsible for ensuring
implementation of projects and equipment acquisitions occur on schedule as
required by the Technology Plan and by any and all applicable grant guidelines.
Accountability measures including receiving documents signed off on by campus
administration, grant progress reports, financial summaries, inventory reports
and bid/quote tabs are used to track equipment acquisition, deployment and
installation. Fixed Assets Management databases and administrative reports
ensure equipment procurement, maintenance, upgrading and final disposition occur
in compliance with all Federal, State, Local and E-Rate laws and guidelines.
The Technology Director is responsible for directing and monitoring the
acquisition and appropriate use of network resources, including the
bandwidth/capacity of internal connections (Ethernet) and Internet links (T1
circuits), POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) lines, and educational
cellular/wireless telephone service. Based on usage levels, user surveys and
needs projections, new capacity, circuits and access points/devices are added
and deleted as necessary in coordination with E-Rate guidelines and usage
justifications.
The Technology Director is responsible for using Fixed
Assets inventories and equipment lists to specify technology equipment upgrade,
repurposing, replacement and disposal as dictated in La Vernia ISD's TCO (Total
Cost of Ownership) guidelines as specified in the TCO appendix of the Technology
Plan.
TCO guidelines also require that the cost-effectiveness of all
technology acquisitions and services is evaluated by the Technology Director
and/or the Technology Committee based on bid and quote requests, ongoing
analysis of the cost-effectiveness of services and products, and the level of
utility or benefit in relation to the project's or product's cost.
The
Technology Director is responsible to see that equipment and service
bidding/quoting, purchasing, deployment/installation, upgrade, repair and all
related professional development and building/facility renovation/upgrade are
performed in a timely manner as required by the timelines of the local budget
cycle, grant timetables, and E-Rate cycles. During meetings with the Technology
Committee, the Technology Director reviews the timeliness of technology
implementations, and the Technology Plan and/or internal procedures are adjusted
to improve implementation timeliness, minimize the lag between product
acquisition and professional development, and lower the response time on repair
calls.
Appendix
Attachment item A:Student Acceptable Use Policy
Web site: http://www.la-vernia.k12.tx.us/techpolicies/studentaup.htm
Attachment item B:
Employee Acceptable Use Policy
Web site: http://www.la-vernia.k12.tx.us/techpolicies/employeeaup.htm
Attachment item C:
Community Member and Library Patron Acceptable
Use Policy
Web site: http://www.la-vernia.k12.tx.us/techpolicies/commlibraup.htm
Attachment item D:
Distance Learning and Video Release Form
Web site: http://www.la-vernia.k12.tx.us/techpolicies/dlvrelease.htm
Attachment item E:
Acceptable Posting Policy for Web Content
Web site: http://www.la-vernia.k12.tx.us/techpolicies/app.htm
Attachment item F:
CIPA (Children's Internet Protection Act)
Compliance Statement and Internet Safety Policy
Web site: http://www.la-vernia.k12.tx.us/techpolicies/CIPAcomp.htm
Attachment item G:
Technology Procurement Requirements and
Standards
Web site: http://www.la-vernia.k12.tx.us/techpolicies/dobusinesswithlvisd.htm
Attachment item H:
Cellular and Wireless Telephone Acceptable Use
Policy
Web site: http://www.la-vernia.k12.tx.us/techpolicies/cellularaup.htm
Attachment item I:
La Vernia ISD District web site with all
District information and subpages for each campus
Web site: http://www.la-vernia.k12.tx.us/
Attachment item J:
La Vernia ISD TCO (Total Cost of Ownership)
Guidelines - Guidance on equipment purchase, upgrade, repair, ongoing
maintenance, repurposing and disposal.
Web site: http://www.la-vernia.k12.tx.us/techpolicies/TCO.htm
LA VERNIA ISD does not discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race, color, age, or national origin in its educational programs, activities, or employment as required by Title IX, Section 504 and Title VI.