Duanesburg Central School District > Departments > Technology > DCS Technology Plan

DCS Technology Plan

  1. LEA Information
  2. Instructional Technology Vision & Goals
  3. Technology and Infrastructure Inventory
  4. Software and IT Support
  5. Curriculum and Instruction
  6. Professional Development
  7. Technology Investment Plan
  8. Status of Technology Initiatives and Community
  9. Monitoring and Evaluation

Introduction 

Duanesburg Central School District acknowledges that supporting the use of educational technology is an important part of 21st century learning. The purpose of the Instructional Technology Plan is support teaching and learning while determining appropriate needs for investments in technology.

LEA Information

DEMOGRAPHICS

Duanesburg Central School District is a rural school district with a public school population of approximately 750 students K-12. The district is located in the South Western corner of Schenectady County in New York. The district has one elementary school grades K – 6 and a Jr./Sr. High School grades 7 – 12. 

ENROLLMENT 

District total for BEDS Day September 2018 = 691

  • Grades K-2: 129
  • Grades 3-5: 138
  • Grades 6-8: 169
  • Grades 9-12: 232
  • Alt Location: 23

Instructional Technology Vision & Goals

MISSION

We will provide students of every ability the support, dedication, quality instruction and experiences they need as they strive to fulfill their dreams and aspirations for the future.

VISION

Duanesburg Central School District will become a model for smaller school districts in New York State. Instructional excellence will be the bedrock of the district characterized by a strong academic core, technology integration and a challenging and stimulating curriculum. Our educational program will include enrichment, interdisciplinary teaching and active roles for students. All students will be challenged and supported to achieve their highest abilities. The district will value its students and staff. The community will value and participate in our mission. Our facilities will promote our mission.

BOARD OF EDUCATION GOAL

The goal of the Duanesburg Central School District’s Board of Education is to represent and serve students, district residents, faculty, staff, administrators and district volunteers through policy development, thoughtful planning of academic programming, facilities management and fiscal responsibility to ensure the highest level of achievement and preparation of our student body.

TECHNOLOGY PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Duanesburg Central School District will follow and align with educational technology standards set forth by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). In order to prepare staff with proper training the district will take membership with NERIC’s Model Schools organization which will offer free instructional technology planning and professional development to teachers. The integration of technology into instruction is the primary goal of the Technology Plan. The plan provides an overview of the basic operations and concepts; social, ethical and human issues; technology productivity tools; technology communication tools; technology research tools; and technology problem-solving and decision-making tools that students need to learn to fully apply technology in school. It corresponds closely to the International Society for Technology in Education standards and New York State Learning Standards. 

INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY GOALS 

“Support the use of educational technologies which have been proven effective at driving instructional practices for the promotion of 21st century learning.”

SECTION II – STRATEGIC TECHNOLOGY PLANNING

GOAL 1: 
Professional Development

  • Teachers will work together during staff development to increase skills in technology for instruction
  • PD committee will work together to determine curriculum for staff
  • Collaboration of departments or grade levels to enhance lessons based on technology that has been determined to be usable in the classroom
  • Building leadership team will regularly assess needs for aligning goals with technology in education

GOAL 2:
Community access

  • Open House
  • Teaching parents to use technology that students are using in school (Technology demonstration)
  • Providing a bridge between gaps for families that do not have the access at home
  • Partnering with rural broadband access committee

GOAL 3:
Alternative Education

  • Counselors will work together with teachers to determine goals of students at risk of failing
  • Track data for student success rates, student entry/exit, and longevity of time that students are in the program
  • Evaluate state assessments and links to technology in education used in instruction
  • Assess Student referral rates and how it links to success in the program

PLANNING PROCESS AND STAKEHOLDERS – TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

The District Technology Committee comprised of the superintendent, building principals, teachers in various grade levels K-12, and district technology staff meet on a monthly basis to discuss and analyze district technology use and needs. All educator stakeholders are invited to participate including special education leadership and educators.

The next part of the process involved the Building Principals meeting with their building leadership teams (teachers) to discuss and determine effective goals that align with the technology plan framework.  Once the building teams had determined technology goals that closely match district vision the technology committee met again to bring building input together into a comprehensive district plan.

Professional Development Plan
The district will continue to subscribe to the Model Schools program through Northeastern Regional Information Center (NERIC). Through Model Schools teaching staff will be offered with the latest and most effective educational technology teaching practices. The district will support teachers whom would like to utilize technology in the classroom by supporting and promoting relevant professional development. 
Many of the professional development sessions that will be encouraged include but not limited to Effective Chromebook use for instruction, specific focus on relevant Chrome applications, and studies of collaborative student work using technology. The District’s Smart Schools Investment Plan will be most supported by professional development based on Google Education and Chromebook usage.

Goal Measurement
Instructional technology goals will be measured through teacher observations, student achievement, student engagement, and technology focused reflection at Professional Development Committee meetings. Specifically teacher observations utilize Charlotte Danielson evaluation model which includes usage of technology and student engagement in the score of the teacher.

SECTION III
GOAL 1: Increased Use of Technology for Instruction

  • Teachers will work together during staff development to increase skills in technology for instruction
  • PD committee will work together to determine curriculum for staff
  • Collaboration of departments or grade levels to enhance lessons based on technology that has been determined to be usable in the classroom
  • Technology & Professional Development committees will regularly assess needs for aligning goals with technology in education

Training for all K-12 staff on use of Chromebooks and Google Applications in order to provide access to relevant and rigorous professional development to ensure educators and leaders are proficient in the integration of learning technologies.

Goal alignment: Provide access to relevant and rigorous professional development to ensure educators and leaders are proficient in the integration of learning technologies.
Target Student Population: All Students

Action Steps:
1. Data committee will research and determine desired applications to improve student performance in accordance with district goals.
2. PD team will identify and prioritize the appropriate training sessions.
3. The PD committee will create a schedule of trainings to be listed on MLP
4. Part of teacher evaluations and student scores.

GOAL 2:
Increase equitable access to high-quality digital resources and standards-based, technology-rich learning experiences

  • Teach typing through web-based applications as per NYSED standards
  • Increased number of web based learning apps that are linked to course/lesson
  • Assess our current technology resources (Chromebooks, Mimios, Interactive whiteboards, etc.) and how they are impacting and improving the existing learning environment. Based on outcome, how we will continue to adapt and deploy technology throughout the district.
  • Data committee will assess the classroom improvement of current large-scale programs/apps that have been deployed building and district-wide.
  • Provide technology proven to be effective in increasing results in subject that are determined areas in need of improvement.
  • Involvement or use of Model Schools resources.

Goal alignment: Increase equitable access to high-quality digital resources and standards-based, technology-rich learning experiences.
Target Student Population: All Students

Action Steps:
1. Find the most appropriate typing application based on testing and reviews.
2. Follow the NYSED guidelines for keyboarding.
3. Embed typing program into existing curriculums.
4.  Assess student progress toward NYSED and district goals to be set by building principals.

GOAL 3:
Develop a strategic vision and goals to support student achievement and engagement through the seamless integration of technology into teaching and learning

  • Closely align district goals with NYSED goals for technology standards
  • Develop data collection methods based on effective teaching strategies and goals
  • Utilize vertical and horizontal alignment oh effective technology uses
  • Increase opportunities for staff to explore new effective uses of technology for instruction

Goal alignment: Develop a strategic vision and goals to support student achievement and engagement throughout the seamless integration of technology into teaching and learning.

Target Student Population: Grades 3-6, Grades 7-8, High School 9-12, & Students with Disabilities

Action Steps:
1. Increase opportunities for teachers to attend technology awareness day and other technology opportunities.
Visit other schools that are utilizing technology for instruction.
2.  Building leadership teams, create stakeholder groups, use of surveys and other forms of communication to get consensus
3. Turnkey trainers, Budget allocation, & Curriculum development
4. Determine whether Literacy and Math skills have increased with all students K-12

GAPS IN FOCUS AREAS

  • Provision of devices so that all learners will have access to tools.
  • Support staff will need to be increased with increasing technology devices being added.

CHALLENGES

  • Funding
  • Need for courses specifically in educational technology
  • Lack of staffing

Technology and Infrastructure Inventory

The Duanesburg Central School District makes large purchases of computing and educational technologies through the local BOCES which provides opportunities for more technology at a reduced cost. Technology is tagged and inventoried with BOCES tagging which is maintained on an annual basis. For students that would like to utilize their own technologies there is a Bring Your Own Device policy which allows students to appropriately use their own devices for educational purposes at appropriate times.

Approximately 250 student owned device access the district’s network on a daily basis. 

The district does not currently own devices that can be loaned to students for 1:1 use or in nonpublic locations.

Network Broadband Bandwidth

Network Bandwidth: Incoming connection to district schools (Wide Area Network): 200mb

Internal Network Bandwidth: Connections between school buildings (Local Area Network): 1GB

Connections within school buildings (LAN): 1GB

Total contracted Internet access bandwidth for the district: 200MB

Agency or vendor the district purchases its primary Internet access bandwidth service from: NERIC/Time Warner

Wireless Connections

  • 802.11a: Available, In Use
  • 802.11b: Available, In Use
  • 802.11g: Available, In Use
  • 802.11n: Available, In Use

Wi-Fi Access

  • Wi-Fi points: 80 access points
  • Wi-Fi coverage: 100% of instructional and administrative
  • Wireless controller usage: Yes
  • Post speed of the switches that are less than five years old in use in the district: 1GB

Email communications

The district will use Google for Education service in order to communicate via email effective September 01, 2015. This service will be subscribed and supported through NERIC. Google email communications are in adherence for school communications as per the Data ownership Agreement for not selling or mining education data. All staff must use their district provided email for all work related communications via email with the exception of union related communications.

Computing Devices

Devices Number less than 5 years old Number connected to LAN
Desktop computers 221 221
Laptops/Virtual machines 5 5
Chromebooks 923 923
Tablets less than 9 inches with access to an external keyboard 2 2
Tablets 9 inches or greater with access to an external keyboard 0 0
Tablets less than 9 inches without access to an external keyboard 9 9
Tablets 9 inches or greater without access to an external keyboard 0 0

Classroom Technology Devices Inventory

Classroom technology devices for educational use Number of elementary devices Number of Jr./Sr. High School devices District total
Mimio Teach 12 7 19
Document Camera 11 9 20

Assistive Technology

Total number of students with disabilities in your district, what percentage of these students are provided with assistive technology as documented on their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs): 100%

Total percentage of students with disabilities in your district, who are provided with assistive technology as documented on their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs): 4%

Additional assistance or resources that would enhance the district’s ability to provide improved access to technologies, including assistive technologies, for students with disabilities:

Android tablets with Google applications loaded
Chromebooks for typing and Google tool usage

Peripheral Devices

  • Document cameras (33 less than 5 years old)
  • Flat panel displays (277 less than 5 years old)
  • Interactive projectors (0)
  • Interactive whiteboards (34 less than 5 years old)
  • Multi-function printers (0)
  • Projectors (54 less than 5 years old)
  • Scanners (5 less than 5 years old)
  • Other peripherals: 2 mobile video conferencing units

Bring Your Own Device

Duanesburg Central Schools has implemented a Bring Your Own Devices Policy. Staff and students are allowed to use their own personal devices for educational use within the district. Usage of personal devices must be used for school appropriate material as stated in the computer usage policy.

Software and IT Support

District Supported Operating Systems

  • Windows 7.0
  • Windows 8.0 or greater
  • Apple iOS 7 or greater
  • Chrome OS
  • Android

District Supported Web Browsers

  • Internet Explorer 9 or higher
  • Google Chrome

Learning Management Systems

Google Classroom

The district will be moving forward to support Google Classroom in the 2019-2020 school year.  Currently the district also utilizes Schoology.  District support for Schoology will end in June 2019 in order to focus PD, support, and platform consistency on one form. 

District Supported Software and Web-Based Applications

Device Installed Software

  • Google Apps for Education
  • Microsoft Office
  • Autodesk Inventor
  • Mimio Studio

Web Based Applications

  • Schmoop
  • Brain Pop
  • Think Central (Go Math & Science Fusion)
  • Chrome Applications (Google Apps)
  • Learning Farm
  • Type to Learn
  • Gradpoint (Credit Recovery & Supports)

Databases

Student Information Systems

eSchoolData 

The district imported student record keeping into eSchoolData from Star in the beginning of the 2008 – 2009 school year. eSchoolData is a NERIC supported service which includes all data stored at the Regional Information Center. Student information stored in eSchoolData includes all demographic, enrollment, attendance, discipline, scheduling, and assessment record keeping in alignment of NYSED record and reporting requirements. Moving forward in the 2015 – 2016 school year the district will utilize a next generation system of eSchoolData GURU Boards to work in conjunction with data stored in eSchoolData providing a data dashboard that will provide tools for educational practice.
eSchoolData includes access to a parent and student portal for all students K – 12 in the two public buildings within the district. The parent and student portals give access to the following to its stakeholders:

Attendance
Assignments
Grade Reporting
Student Schedules
Report Cards (7-12)
Standards Based Report Cards (K-6)
Transcripts

Centris Group (IEP Direct, 504 Direct, & RTI Direct) 

Special Education records including IEP’s and 504’s along with RTI records are kept within the Centris Group applications. Centris Group applications are a NERIC supported service which includes all data stored at the Regional Information Center.

District Utilized Tools for Public Communication & Social Media

District Website
School News Notifier
Facebook
Twitter
Teacher websites

Description of Information Technology Department

Management Information Systems Director (1 FTE)

  • Device support, research, purchasing and maintenance
  • Network systems
  • Technical and end-user support

Teacher Aide (2 FTE)

  • End-user support

Curriculum and Instruction

DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY AND TECHNOLOGY FOR IMPROVED TEACHING AND LEARNING 

The district plans to utilize Chromebooks to provide 21st century style learning. Tools that the district has decided to implement are Google Apps For Education, Schoology, eSchoolData GURU, and Google Classroom. The district plans to expand the technology toolbox by deploying Chromebooks when affordable to replace current laptop devices. Duanesburg Schools will be utilizing Smart Schools Bond funds to expand wireless and networking capabilities district wide along with purchasing Chromebooks with carts. 

TECHNOLOGY FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES 

Children with learning disabilities often have better technology skills than their teachers and are drawn to computers and other gadgets, so using them in the classroom can greatly improve their educational outcomes. For children with physical disabilities, technology can give access to learning opportunities previously closed to them. E-readers help students turn book pages without applying dexterity, and voice adaptive software can help students answer questions without needing to write. It can also read to the students with severe dyslexia. This technology can follow the student home to participate in more of the independent work assigned.

Technology needs for students are assessed on an individual basis. Students with disabilities are provided with technologies as required in Individualized Education Plans. Students who may have temporary needs are provided with cost effective solutions that are legal to follow student IEPs. The district does not keep stock of Assistive Technology but will provide purchase after evaluation and upon requirement. Special Education classrooms are equipped with either one or two additional computers to enable student access while working with educators. Students with disabilities may also use Android tablets located in the library of the high school to utilize the multiple assistive applications available in Google Play.

PROVISION OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY 

The district does not keep stock of Assistive Technology but will provide purchase after evaluation and upon requirement. Special Education classrooms are equipped with either one or two additional computers to enable student access while working with educators. Students with disabilities may also use Android tablets located in the library of the high school to utilize the multiple assistive applications available in Google Play. 

GENERAL ALIGNMENT WITH ISTE

The district recognizes a need to form committee that supports a digital curriculum for all grade levels. Digital Literacy will be supported through the Library Media Specialist. The district digital literacy coursework aligns with ISTE curriculum. 

DIGITAL LITERACY & INTERNET SAFETY 

The district recognizes the necessity of instructing internet safety and digital literacy in order to educate students on the dangers lurking online. Students must also be educated in digital literacy to enable the increased need to use technology to communicate in the current state of how people communicate, complete work, and learning tasks on a daily basis. Before the completion of grade eight all students must have been taught internet safety and cyber security. Instruction on internet safety and digital literacy may be led by regular classroom teachers as an addition to the curriculum developed and delivered by the Library Media Specialist.
Resources that the district uses for internet safety are the FBI.gov website in addition to materials and games on BrainPop.

ACCESS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES 

Technology needs for students are assessed on an individual basis. Students with disabilities are provided with technologies as required in Individualized Education Plans. Students who may have temporary needs are provided with cost-effective solutions that are legal to follow student IEPs.
The district does not keep stock of Assistive Technology but will provide purchase after evaluation and upon requirement. Special Education classrooms are equipped with either one or two additional computers to enable student access while working with educators. Students with disabilities may also use Android tablets located in the library of the high school to utilize the multiple assistive applications available in Google Play.

ACCESS FOR ALL LEARNERS 

All students have regular access to the district labs in a number of ways. The media  centers in both buildings are equipped with up-to-date hardware. The secondary library media center is open until 5 PM daily which allows full access after school to secondary students. Highlights include the following:

  • Two open ES labs (30 Workstations in each); one open secondary (24 Workstations); secondary library (18 Workstations)
  • Every classroom has at least one computer and many have several.

Professional Development

Duanesburg Central School District participates with the Capital Region BOCES Model Schools. Model Schools provides an opportunity for the district to participate in best practice workshops based on instructional technology integration. District staff are offered professional development through the Model Schools program and have the option to teach a shared course through the Model Schools program at BOCES. This professional development is offered to district staff for free. 
The district also offers professional development from teachers within the district advanced in topics and skills of instructional technology.

Duanesburg is additionally committed to providing professional development for teachers during the transition to Google email, Google Docs, and GAFE.
Professional development in the area of Educational Technology is overseen by the Coordinator of Educational Technology.

2018 – 2019

Fall 2018 – Full implementation of usage Chromebooks, Google apps, & Schoology.
Provide additional Professional Development in the Fall and Spring as needed to support additional growth in educational technology usage.

Identified focus areas of continued professional development needs include:

  • Teacher websites
  • Google tools
  • Mimio technology & Mimio applications
  • Flipped/Blended classrooms
  • Teacher blogs
  • Social networking

Technology Investment Plan

Wired Network Infrastructure

  • Estimated cost: $250,000 (one-time)
  • Potential funding source: Smart Bond

Professional Development

  • Estimated cost: $7,000 (annual)
  • Potential funding source: Annual budget

Chromebooks

  • Estimated cost: $54,000 (annual)
  • Potential funding source: Smart Bond and annual budget

Desktop computers

  • Estimated cost: $50,000 (annual)
  • Potential funding source: Smart Bond and annual budget

Wi-Fi Expansion

  • Estimated cost: $40,000 (one-time)
  • Potential funding source: Installment agreement

Status of Technology Initiatives and Community

Duanesburg Central School District has made the following developments since the last Instructional Technology Plan:

  • Changes in staffing
  • Changes in funding
  • Developments in technology

Further advancement in instructional technology developments continue to be made since the district implemented Google Apps for Education over the summer of 2015. Training and support has been arranged with the local regional information center NERIC.

Community Connectivity

The Management Information Systems director attended a meeting with Time Warner Cable for a discussion on expanding high-speed internet services in the community. The district technology staff are taking action to be involved in planning and discussions at Capital Region BOCES & NERIC. The district technology committee will offer more input for forward planning. The community public library provides free open Wi-Fi while many homes in the district do not have Wi-Fi access. While this continues to be a roadblock in the district high-speed internet access will continue to be a component of discussions over the next three years in anticipation of making advancements of finding more ways to provide access to students and families off school campus.

Monitoring and Evaluation

STRATEGIES
As a part of teaching observations and the APPR teachers will be evaluated on a regular basis. Duanesburg Central School District uses the Danielson Framework for Teaching for teacher evaluation. Using this tool there are domains that allow the observer to evaluate instructional usage of educational technology. Areas in which teachers can be evaluated are: 1e: Designing Coherent Instruction, 2e: Organizing Physical Space, 3e: Engaging students in Learning, and 4e: Growing and Developing Professionally.
Using the Danielson model the administrative staff in the district are able to identify areas in which teachers are doing well and in need of extra support. Additionally observations using the Danielson model have given administrators a look at possible needs where new technology tools could be added to particular teacher instructional practice.
Duanesburg Central Schools continues to observe needs and usage of technology used in instruction. Teachers that are noted as needed assistance are given additional support through either technology staff or teachers who are willing to coach each other and work to accomplish goals. Devices that have been distributed over the past five years have been utilized more and desired more as increased number of teachers become familiar with newer and easier User Interfaces.
Frequently in Administrative Cabinet meetings technology is a part of the conversation on needs or advancements in instructional practice. The Coordinator of Educational Technology is a part of the administrative cabinet and able to communicate needs of technology to buildings and IT staff.

POLICIES
A public forum with the subject of Internet Safety and Cyberbullying was held on January 20, 2011. This session was facilitated by Capital Region BOCES.

CYBERSECURITY PROCEDURES
The district has adopted Acceptable Use, Internet Safety, and Personal Electronic Device policies. Copies are provided on the district website. Codes of conduct include basic summaries of Internet usage guidelines. Every student and each parent are required to annually access the Internet-based document or may be provided copies in the event of not having access outside of school. Students and parents of the student are required to sign the agreement in order to utilize district technology. The district follows state regulations on maintaining filters for content. Internet Traffic and Filters are maintained by the systems administrator in coordination with NERIC. Administrative action will be taken for violations of security.

TECHNOLOGY DISPOSAL SECURITY
Hard drives from computers tagged for disposal are destroyed before being recycled.