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4/14/2013

PLEASANT VIEW SCHOOL DISTRICT555 Valleydale Drive Anytown, OH 42421 (555) 555-1234

A School on a Mission

MEMO TO: Superintendent Smith

MEMO FROM: Technology Directors:

Dominga Gardner

Erin Hatfield

Corey Holmer

DATE: Sunday, April 14, 2013

RE: Technology Plan

The memo is in response to the school boards concert that the students in the Pleasant View

School District are not adequate prepared as learners in the 21st

century. Upon reviewing the

data extensively from last springs Technology Integration Self-Assessment survey. I propose

that we should increase assessment scores and integrate more technology within the school

district.

Increased Assessment Scores

Professional development is one of the most powerful tools a school district has. Through

effective training, teachers are provided the tools they need to be successful. These meetings

and trainings also make sure that everyone is on the same page and that we are headed toward

the same goal, student success. These focused professional development meetings can and

should contribute to a rise in the state assessment scores across the board, but most

importantly in math. They should include a combination of technology integration as well as

good practice.

One of the first things we should to communicate to our teachers is the importance of literacyin all subjects. Studies have shown that students who read well also do well in math and

other subjects (Larwin, 2010). Our schools need to have a unified vision on literacy.

Teachers should know how to provide students literature that is appropriate to their abilities.

Focused professional development on the importance of literacy and strategies to improve

students reading is one of the first areas that need be addressed.

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Hewlett-PackardNext, teachers need to know how to interpret the results of the assessments given throughout the

year. Teachers should be able to identify their students strengths and weakness as well as where

to focus in the coming weeks (Education World: Boosting Test Scores: Strategies That Work,

n.d.). Regular professional development time should be spent in Professional Learning

Communities for the purpose of looking at how students tested versus how they perform in the

classroom. Every teacher should be able to access the data in a way that is comfortable to them.

Often this means creating charts, graphs, and other visual data using a computer software.

Teachers should have training on these programs and on how to effectively analyze the data.

The last area to focus professional development for the purpose of improving assessment scores

is standards. With the introduction of Common Core State Standards, many teachers are

reevaluating their curriculum and pacing. These new standards are complex and often encompass

many ideas or skills into one. Teachers need to have time in their Professional Learning

Communities to unpack these standards and get to the heart of what needs to be taught. The

Common Core State Standards incorporate technology into every area of study. Teachers need

the opportunity to learn and brainstorm ways to integrate technology into what they already have.

Technology Integration

Preparing students for the 21st Century is our main concern. As Technology Director I havesurveyed and researched some possible options to reach our goal. Currently each classroom, K-12, has at least two computers stations for student use. These computers are dated and due forupgrades, which is part of our future plan for the district. The survey showed the teachers use thecomputers 1-2 days a week on average and are rarely used in connection to curriculum activities-meaning mostly used for research projects or printing out homework.

Because of the major change our district must adopt, I believe implementing a Bring Your OwnDevice (BYOD) initiative would be most successful in the classroom and for the district. Furtherresearch proves success in neighboring districts and is more economically sound. This programwould allow students and teachers the ability to bring their own devices into the classroom for use.Some students may not have the technology available, which means we will have to supply a smallamount of devices (preferably iPads or laptops) to each classroom or building. Currently ournetwork infrastructure can handle enough devices for a 1:1 program if need be. The majorconcern with this change will better preparing the staff and students on the use of technology in theclassroom.

Part of the overhaul will include several professional development opportunities that will be cateredto the needs of all teachers. Currently the district offers web-based classes on Microsoft Office andadding Web 2.0 techniques into the classroom, but these new offerings would be more specific andleveled. I believe that hiring of 2 new Educational Technologists, in addition to the one we alreadyhave, can be used to educate and prepare these professional development opportunities. We willbe looking for qualified persons with at least 2-3 years of experience and a background ineducation.

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Hewlett-Packard

With the addition of the BOYD program, we have broken the professional development into a 3-year plan, adding more opportunities each year. To lay the groundwork we will be creating severaldistrict-hosted websites on the basics of technology in the classroom. These websites were beupdated weekly with examples of teacher-work, instructional videos, and important links that can

be accessed by all staff. Besides the addition of a website, four teacher-institute days will befocused on the use of technology in the classroom and better educating staff. Each school will hostseveral opportunities/options and the teachers will be allowed to choose which class best suitstheir needs. Staff members, on a volunteer basis, will teach these sessions.

As the program progresses, further professional development will be made available. These

opportunities will take place yearly and will be modified as technology changes. The professional

development offered, not in a particular order, will be: tiered classes dependent on level, interactive

website for specific topics and technology, online form and database of teacher work, pilot program

across various grades through an application process, and paid-leave for out-of-district technology

conferences. With the addition of previous services, I do believe that we will see immediate

changes in technology use by teachers and students. This will in turn better prepare our students

for the 21st Century and motivate learning, which should increase our test scores across the

board.

In conclusion, we propose that this proposal be taken into consideration to move towards 21 st century

learning skills to better prepare our students. We look forward in hearing from you to discuss the

proposal in details and move the proposal forward.

Thank you for your consideration.