Ponchatoula High School Technology Plan

SCHOOL BOARD and SUPERINTENDENT

 

 

Ponchatoula High School Technology Plan

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

OVERARCHING LOUISIANA TECHNOLOGY GOAL:  All Louisiana educators and learners will benefit from technology-rich environments that support student achievement and produce life long learners able to succeed in an information society.

Action Step 1: Strengthen Leadership
Action Step 2: Improve Teacher Training
Action Step 3: Support E-Learning and Virtual Schools
Action Step 4: Encourage Improved Access and Technology Usage
Appendices

• Appendix A: Needs Assessment Data
• Appendix B: Technology Plan Development Team

 

Ponchatoula High School Technology Plan

INTRODUCTION/OVERVIEW

The TPSS Mission Statement and Educational Technology Goal align with the state’s overarching goal that “All Louisiana educators and learners will benefit from technology-rich environments that support student achievement and produce life long learners able to succeed in an information society.”

Ponchatoula High School Mission Statement
United We Learn and Excel

TPSS Educational Technology Goal
All educators, parents, and students in the Tangipahoa School System will have access to technologies that are effective tools for improving student achievement by enhancing teaching, learning, and communication in Tangipahoa schools.

The Tangipahoa Parish School System (TPSS) Technology Plan is also aligned to the Louisiana State Technology Plan. The Louisiana State Technology Plan is aligned to the national technology plan, Toward a New Golden Age in American Education: How the Internet, the Law, and Today’s Students are Revolutionizing Expectations (2004) and outlines the state’s vision for educational technology.  Ponchatoula High School Technology Plan is also aligned with the District and State Technology Plans. These plans offer guidance to educational leaders on how to build local capacity to support further implementation of technology in today’s educational settings. These plans provide common visions for continued technological advancement and strategic planning for future growth to meet the educational technology needs of our teachers, students, administrators, and communities.

 

This technology plan will serve to guide and direct the school’s efforts to enable technology to more effectively support teaching and learning for Ponchatoula High School students and staff.

Action Steps 1: Strengthen Leadership
Leaders at all levels will support systemic change through transformational leadership while monitoring effective use of instructional technology which supports standards-based school improvement efforts.

Current Status:

• Participation in LEADTech by principal and assistant principal
• Participation by all administrators in LADOE leadership initiatives
• Administrators use technology tools for communication and management
• Administrators use online approval of lesson plans
• Administrators and teacher-leaders at Ponchatoula High School participate in school-level teams that determine school priorities and plan professional development to meet those priorities

Benchmarks, Target year 2014:

• All educational administrators/leaders will be technology proficient according to state adopted standards found in the International Society for Technology in Education’s National Educational Technology Standards for Administrators (NETS-A).
• Current educational administrators/leaders will participate in leadership professional development offered by the Louisiana Department of Education (LEADTECH, etc.).
• Current educational administrators/leaders will be encouraged to use technology to effectively monitor and evaluate teachers.
• All newly appointed educational administrators/leaders will participate in ongoing professional development designed to develop and strengthen leadership skills and provide support during the first years of service.
• All educational administrators/leaders will routinely model appropriate use of technology resources to support administrative and instructional functions.
• All educational administrators/leaders will use a variety of emerging technologies (i.e., e-mail, Blackboard, video and voice technologies, web resources, and the district intranet) as primary sources of communication.
• All educational administrators/leaders will include components of effective technology integration in the development of school improvement plans.
• All educational administrators/leaders will support, evaluate, coordinate, and modify, as needed, the district and school technology plans and/or school improvement plan annually to ensure alignment with overall federal, state and district educational technology and accountability goals.
• Ponchatoula High School will use innovative restructuring and reallocation of existing budgets along with the provision of new funding sources to purchase needed technology and provide access to high quality professional development opportunities.
• Educational administrators/leaders and curriculum specialists will integrate educational technology into the state-mandated Comprehensive Curriculum.

 

 

Evaluation Strategies and Timeline:

Evaluation Strategy	Frequency	Timeline
State Technology Proficiency Self-Assessment for Teachers, Students, and Administrators	Annual	April/May
School Technology Surveys	Annual	April - July
Enrollment of school leaders/potential leaders in the state leadership network programs (LELN)	Annual	Fall, Spring, Summer
School budgets that include technology line items	Annual	Spring
Number of parents utilizing web-based portal for communicating student information	Annual	Spring
Classroom walk-through observations recorded and analyzed using technology tools	Annual	Year-long
School-level monitoring of School Improvement Plans as they relate to and include educational technology	Annual	Spring

Strategies:

• Use of district-wide systems of communication that support the effective use of electronic communication. (IP Telephony, voice mail, video conferencing, web conferencing, parent communication portals, telephone calling systems, web portals, email, radio communications).
• Participation in ongoing professional development activities such as, but not limited to: LEADTECH, TechTools for Administrators, Educational Leader Induction, and/or LA LEADS.
• Participate in leadership conferences such as, but not limited to the state LaLeads Conference.
• Provide each teacher with an up-to-date computer, software and appropriate training to ensure its effective use.
• Conduct a technology needs assessment of Ponchatoula High School and establish a plan for technology professional development for leaders/aspiring leaders.
• Include an indicator that monitors and evaluates not only the use of classroom technology but curriculum integration with technology on required observation, evaluation or walk-through forms.
• Continue the implementation and expansion of technology-based applications for analyzing, maintaining, and reporting student information including accountability data, grades, discipline records, attendance records, scheduling, and other data.
• Implement web-based lesson plans to communicate more effectively with parents and provide them with access to information relative to student learning, classroom activities, and homework through web-based portals.
• Implement web portals to communicate student information to parents, such as student assignments, grades, attendance, and discipline.
• Recommend leaders at all levels model technology integration.

Action Step 2: Improve Teacher Training

Teachers will participate in effective professional development to ensure that technology and other educational resources available in schools are being used to enhance student learning.

Current Status:

• TPSS provides high-quality professional development to teachers in the area of technology integration into the Louisiana Comprehensive Curriculum.
• TPSS provides comprehensive online professional development through the Blackboard environment.
• One full-time Instructional Technology Facilitator works directly in the classroom modeling, coaching, and assisting teachers in planning technology connected lessons that address the Louisiana Comprehensive Curriculum.
• One Instructional Technology Facilitator coordinates and provides training to our teachers.
• The TPSS Induction and other training programs include technology components.

Benchmarks, target year 2014:

• All teachers will engage in professional development activities offered locally or through regional TLTCs that demonstrate how to integrate technology into the Comprehensive Curriculum or the locally adopted curriculum.
• All teachers will engage in professional development that includes both online and face-to-face local and state developed professional development opportunities. 
• All teachers will participate in professional learning communities that facilitate the integration of technology into student learning through differentiated instruction and activities that foster higher order thinking skills.
• All new teachers will participate in ongoing professional development designed to facilitate the integration of technology into instruction and support the establishment of highly qualified teachers in Ponchatoula High School.
• All Ponchatoula High School teachers will be proficient in the use of technology to enhance student learning by 2014.
• All teachers will be trained in resources designed to allow students to safely and effectively conduct research using technology.
• All teachers will know how to use data to personalize/individualize instruction and inform classroom-level instruction. 
• All teachers will be trained in software that uses technology to efficiently perform administrative tasks and to effectively communicate with parents.  (i.e., electronic grade-books, IEP creation tools, attendance, planning, and data analysis)
• All teachers will educate students about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking web sites and in chat rooms and cyberbullying awareness and response.




Evaluation Strategies and Timeline:

Evaluation Strategy	Frequency	Timeline
School technology surveys	Annual	Spring
State approved technology proficiency instrument	Annual	Spring
Reports to TPSS Technology Department	Ongoing	Spring
Teacher Professional Development Portfolios	Ongoing	Ongoing
Classroom Observations/Walkthroughs	As designated by system	As Conducted
Teacher presentations at conferences and district/local trainings	Ongoing	Ongoing
School Technology Nights	Ongoing	As Conducted
School level monitoring of professional development plans as it relates to educational technology leadership	Annual	Spring
Records of workshop participation such as sign-in sheets and data recorded in the TPSS Professional Development Portal.	Ongoing	Ongoing

Strategies:

1. Provide opportunities for all teachers to enhance their educational technology knowledge and skills by providing access to professional development programs, funding stipends and substitutes, and providing travel assistance.
2. Utilize e-mail and Blackboard as the official sources of communication.
3. Encourage teachers to learn and use correct technology vocabulary.
4. Encourage all teachers to complete appropriate technology integration training(s) to become technology proficient by 2014.
5. Provide teachers with access to appropriate software and hardware in order to integrate technology into daily instruction to facilitate and enhance student learning.
6.  When appropriate, include components of effective technology integration in the development of lesson plans.
7. Support the addition of a technology strand to teacher/administrator evaluations in line with Louisiana Components of Effective Teaching so that technology becomes a seamless part of daily classroom teaching and learning. 
8. School-level professional learning community meetings include activities that address the integration of technology into the curriculum.
9. Encourage use of various levels of technology lesson plans and instructional resources (beginner to advanced) provided by the district and other resources.
10. Provide access to TPSS Instructional Facilitator(s) to assist faculty with job-embedded staff development opportunities and needs, classroom modeling, and development of technology integrated curriculum.
11. Recommend a Technology Liaison to serve as a member of the school improvement committee.
12. Recommend and support participation in professional organizations (i.e., LACUE, NECC, ISTE) by providing financial assistance to teachers.
13. Incorporate Universal Design for Learning strategies emphasizing accessible technologies and curriculum resources into professional development initiatives.
14. Utilize state provided tools and evaluation instruments for determining teacher technology proficiencies.
15. Provide teachers with content to educate students about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking web sites and in chat rooms and cyberbullying awareness and response.

 




Action Step 3: Support E-Learning and Virtual Schools
In the past five years there has been significant growth in organized online instruction (E-learning) and “virtual” schools, making it possible for students at all levels to receive high quality supplemental  courses or full courses of instruction personalized to their needs. Traditional schools are turning to these services to expand opportunities and choices for students and professional development for teachers.

Current Status:

• If particular TOPS courses are not available at Ponchatoula High School, students are encouraged to take these courses through LVS.
• Teachers at Ponchatoula High School use the Blackboard online environment to enable e-learning at the classroom level.
• Ponchatoula High School teachers regularly engage in both district and university level e-learning coursework for both credit and non-credit courses.

Benchmarks, Target Year, 2014:

1. Expand enrollment in LVS each year to fully meet the needs of all students.
2. Participate in the Algebra 1 online project in the district’s eighth grade classrooms for select students.
3. Increasing teacher participation in the creation and facilitation of instruction in an online environment.
4. Increasing participation in online professional development courses that are offered through TPSS, state agencies, schools and universities.

Evaluation Strategies and Timeline:

Evaluation Strategy	Frequency	Timeline
LVS enrollment numbers	Annual	Fall and Spring
Students completing TOPS courses through LVS	Annual	Fall and Spring
Students enrolling in Algebra 1 online	Annual	Fall and Spring
Ponchatoula High School facilitating an e-learning environment for faculty	Annual	Spring
Number of Teachers from Ponchatoula High School participating in online learning as recorded in the TPSS Professional Development Portal	Annual	Spring
Number of local classroom-level e-learning components in courses offered locally	Annual	Spring

 

Strategies:

• Inform school administrators, teachers, and students of e-learning opportunities provided for them by the district and state.
2. Allocate local funds and resources for e-learning participation.
3. Disseminate LVS information and promote the enrollment of students in the Louisiana Virtual School.
1. Offer low-income students the opportunity to have AP exam fees reimbursed through the Advanced Placement Test Fee Reimbursement Program.
• Create e-learning opportunities for teachers and students that support goals and benchmarks provided by the state, district, and local levels.
• Allocate funds and resources for high quality professional development and technology support personnel for training personnel in using and creating e-learning opportunities and resources.
• Encourage teachers and principals to participate in state initiatives that provide e-learning experiences.
5. Provide after-hour access to technology resources.
6. Provide all high school students with the opportunity to complete one online learning experience prior to graduation.

 

 




Action Step 4: Encourage Improved Access and Technology Usage
Most public schools, colleges and universities now have access to high-speed, high-capacity hardware, software, and broadband communications. However, improved access, usage and integrated, interoperable data systems that are current and well-maintained could empower educators to transform teaching. 

Current Status:

• 100% of Ponchatoula High School classrooms, appropriate offices, and administrative spaces have high-speed Internet access and at least one computer that is connected to the Internet.
• Ponchatoula High School is connected to the wide area network via 10 MB, 100 MB, or 1 GB fiber optic connections.
• Ponchatoula High School has at least one mobile laptop cart for in-class student use to address the Louisiana Comprehensive Curriculum.
• Access to State and District integrated data systems provide educators with access to (1) school performance data and analysis tools, (2) different types of student-level data, and (3) resources to assist in the analysis and use of data.
• Ponchatoula High School is CIPA compliant with all computer users participating in the district Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). The AUP is reviewed each spring by the District’s Technology Committee and submitted to the board for approval after public input.
• The Technology Plan for the district is reviewed and revised annually. The Plan is submitted to the board and the public at least every other year.

Benchmarks, Target Year 2014:

• All students, teachers and administrators will have access to computers and appropriate connectivity in educational settings.
• All students, teachers and administrators will have access to video-conferencing equipment to connect with others around the district, state, country and world and enhance distance learning.
• Ponchatoula High School will have broadband capabilities available to the end user for data management, online and technology-based assessments, e-learning, and accessing high-quality digital content. (District Internet connections will total at least 145 MB)
• Appropriate assistive/adaptive technology will be available to address the unique requirements of persons with special needs and all students. This includes classroom amplification systems, specialized user input devices, software accommodations, and others.
• At least ninety five percent (95%) of students will use software packages including a productivity package, virus protection, and software that promote open-ended reasoning and higher-order thinking skills.
• Ponchatoula High School will leverage available funds to maximize technology resources.
• All students will use age appropriate technology to conduct research, to solve problems, to analyze data, to collaborate, and to communicate with experts and peers.

Evaluation Strategies and Timeline:

Evaluation Strategy	Frequency	Timeline
School and technology survey report data	Annual	Spring
School and Technology plan updates	Annual	Spring
Technology Proficiency Self-Assessment	Annual	Spring
Appropriate System reports (consolidated monitoring reports)	As Available	As available
Classroom observations/walkthroughs and evaluations by administrators	As designated by system	As Conducted

Strategies:

• Seek local funding such as local sales or property tax initiatives to provide recurring, sustained funding for technology.
• Participate in State Contract purchasing opportunities that support the school system’s technology efforts.
• Seek federal, state and corporate grant funding for technology where available.
• Continue to expand the computer education courses of study for students.
• Institute video-conferencing activities for students and provide distance learning opportunities where needed.
• Use data from both administrative and instructional systems to understand the relationship between decisions, allocation of resources, and student achievement.

 




 




 

APPENDIX A

Ponchatoula High School
NEEDS ASSESSMENT DATA
NEEDS ASSESSMENT SUMMARY

List the School’s strengths and weaknesses as identified by data collected.

School’s Strengths

School’s Weaknesses

Connectivity of all classrooms to the District’s high-speed Internet connection Ponchatoula High School has three mobile lap top carts for in-class student use to address the Louisiana Comprehensive Curriculum. 16 teachers completing TangiTech or Intech (TT#1, #2, Social Studies, Science, Math) Principal encourages teachers to include technology in lesson plans. Ponchatoula High School has four document cameras available for teachers to use in the classroom. Ponchatoula High School teachers regularly participate in presenting technology workshops to provide other faculty members with current trends and products. 19 Students enrolled in distance learning courses. 10 classrooms are equipped with smartboards. 2 teachers at Ponchatoula High School have a classroom set of Student Response Systems. Ponchatoula High School teachers regularly write and receive grants to infuse technology into the classroom. Ponchatoula High School’s school based talented music teacher has a Karaoke machine with a wireless microphone system. One teacher has a classroom set of IPods, used for biology podcasting. Ponchatoula High School has a comprehensive website. Ponchatoula High School has the equipment for class video conferencing to allow for distance learning opportunities. All teachers  have been trained to use electronic grade-book software and use online lesson planning Teachers use Online Comprehensive Curriculum resources Over 95% of the teachers have classroom websites. Ponchatoula High School uses the Parent Communication Center, a parent portal for tracking student attendance, assignments, grades, and discipline. Ponchatoula High School uses HelpDesk which is a highly developed technical support system that supports almost 6,400 computers with 4 technicians and 1 network specialist. Ponchatoula High School receives significant funds from the E-Rate program that funds the school’s high-speed network and Internet access. 51.9% of our teachers stated that BlackBoard was used in training they attended with over 85% stating that PowerPoint and Web resources were used in trainings they attended. Ponchatoula High School utilizes the district technology facilitators who work in classrooms directly with teachers and students to model lessons, help teachers plan, and assist teachers with technology connected lessons. Ponchatoula High School  utilizes the state and district financed WorldBook Online, EBSCO Databases, and netTrekker for online research. 3 teachers at Ponchatoula High School  use the Blackboard online system to supplement classroom instruction.

Relatively small number of teachers completing TangiTech 2 Courses Administrators at Ponchatoula High School have not attended LEADTech Principal does not require teachers to include technology in lesson plans. More students need to be encouraged to take advantage of distance learning opportunities including LVS and SLU AP courses. Ponchatoula High School report on the state survey that they are at “Developing Tech” for technology integration.  As demand for wireless services grow, a fully-managed solution will need to be implemented and the support of greater density of computers will be required. Only39 out of 65 teachers measured ‘proficient’ on the state SEDL proficiency instrument. Not enough effort is being made to use technology to develop higher order thinking skills using resources available. More Instructional Technology Facilitators are needed on the district level to assist teachers and students at Ponchatoula High School. More online courses are needed to better accommodate the busy schedules of teachers.

 




 

APPENDIX B

Ponchatoula High School
TECHNOLOGY PLAN DEVELOPMENT TEAM MEMBERS

Ponchatoula High School Technology Plan Development Team Members

Dates of Meetings______As needed throughout the school year_______________________

 

NAME	OCCUPATION
Danny Strickland	Principal
Anita D. Johnson	Teacher
Danny Thomasson	Teacher