Overview
Meeting on-going District goals requires expansion in management systems, as well as an expanded and more sophisticated communication system. To meet increased reporting requirements teachers, and administrators need continued access to district data files. Administrators need to select and deploy technology designed to prepare students to live and work in the 21st century.Philosophy
A solid communications network, responsive administrative computer applications, and an effective support system are vital elements of this technology plan. The District will continue to update hardware and software to support needs of staff and students in the area of information, curriculum, and communications. The administrative system includes activities such as financial management, student records, scheduling, data analysis, and libraries. This includes electrical needs, voice communication, and connectivity to a sound and stable wide area network. The plan conforms to state, federal, and district administrative policy regarding access to information and system security.Administrative Components
Upgrade of local and wide area networks
An electronic data communications infrastructure is in place that supports activities of students, teachers and administrators. This infrastructure provides a multitude of interactive capabilities for both staff and students. This infrastructure is in the process of being upgraded to meet the increasing needs of the District.
Local Area Networks (LANs)
LANs within each school and department level deliver multimedia at the user level. These LANs support communication, instructional and administrative needs in the District (i.e., IEP’s, grade recording, attendance, discipline referrals, scheduling, and general communications).
Wide Area Network (WAN)
A wide area network connects all buildings to provide district-wide sharing of library materials, student information, e-mail, and other administrative information. Communication electronically is faster and more cost effective. It permits greater collaboration among staff and reduces the wait time between sharing ideas and getting feedback.
Information delivery
One instructional element of primary importance is access to information. This is important in order to access both internal and external sources. This will be supported through the local area networks by means of special hardware, software, and training. This will include remote access to available information.
Provide upgrades in software that supports communication, instructional, and administrative needs and activities in the District. Access will be limited to appropriate personnel. Services include:
On-Line access to accounting data
This system will support the schools and departments in tracking financial data, allow for up-to-date budget information at the building level, and provide better planning for schools.
Electronic submission of State reports
According to State established guidelines and criteria, the District is required to comply and submit information electronically, through a connection to a statewide communications network.
Assessment, Conferencing, and Reporting
This system will support grade reporting and information used in conferencing at the school level. This includes IEP’s which assists teachers, counselors, and psychologists in reporting procedures related to students with special needs. This system also includes student assessment information; e.g., state and district-wide assessments, building developed assessments, and assessments that may be considered in the future.
Attendance and Discipline
This centralized administrative system will track individual student attendance and discipline. Teachers will enter the data directly into building level networks. This data will then be available to appropriate building and district personnel. While buildings will have daily reports, the District will provide aggregate and long-term trend analysis.
Health Information
Expand available health information for individual students. Currently, records are maintained on immunizations and medical needs / plans. A revised system would allow for greater flexibility and transfer of more case management information.
Student Activities
Provide a tool for information related to student activities. Additional information will be supplied by each school in conjunction with current information about the student. There will be a need for reporting tools at the school level and the district level. Increased public relations would result.
Food Service Accounting
Continue to integrate the present system with other systems to allow for greater flexibility and streamlining of the food service department. E-mail, ordering, and maintenance of current inventory of supplies and food will help increase efficiency.
Human Resources
Implement online job application in order to improve the hiring process. Better integration between HR and Finance when HR changes impact payroll.
Provide communication links that connect the district to community, regional, national, and international information services and networks. Make appropriate links available to staff, students, and parents.
Classroom telephone service
Provide telephones in the classrooms. This will facilitate parent/teacher communication as well as quick access for emergency situations.
Parental Access
Provide parents with access to student information (grades, attendance, etc.) through online services.
General Recommendations
- Ongoing review of current software and hardware being used for district-wide administrative purposes to determine needed changes.
- Provide parental access to student information.
- Provide phone access to all classrooms.
- Consider Laptops for administrators for mobility (meeting, work at home, etc.)
- Provide PDAs to administrators to help monitor student information
Benefits
- Current district data will become more readily available to those needing access (administrators, faculty, parents, and students).
- District networking will establish a framework to accommodate future growth (of school district, students, and requests for information).
- Phones will help with parent communication and in dealing with emergencies.
- PDAs would provide administrators ready access to student information as they monitor buildings.