Jan+6+DRAFT+OF+ACTION+PLANS+and+COST+BENEFIT

Introduction
This document summarizes the efforts of the Action Team called “Accelerating the Advanced Use of Technology”, that is one of five teams making recommendations to support the on-going School District 64 Strategic Plan. The team’s efforts in this document are focused on making recommendations, called “Specific Results”, that will expand the definition of one of the key components arising from the District 64 Strategic Plan in the Spring of 2009 ( see: [] ) “We will integrate the use of advanced technology as an integral component of the educational program and to effectively manage our system.” Recommendations or “Specific Results” are included on the following pages: 1. District 64 Technology Implementation Committee 2 2. Board Advanced Technology Committee 4 3. Manage Schools 6 4. Implement Technology Scope and Sequence 8 5. Staff Minimum Standards 10 6. Staff to Assist Teachers 12 7. Technology Acumen of Staff 14 8. Network Infrastructure 16 9. Technology to Communicate to Community 18  Implement a District 64, “Technology Implementation Committee” (TIC), modeled on similar functions in the private sector and at the state and federal levels, to ensure value driven technology implementation. 1. Investigate analogous committees that exist in the private sector and at the state and federal levels 2. Design a Technology Implementation Committee (TIC) for District 64 based on what was learned during investigations 3. Staff the TIC with district 64 employees 4. Develop a review and monitoring schedule for technology being implemented 5. Establish a quarterly reporting schedule: the TIC will submit a report of their assessment of the technology programs being implemented to the Board.  ** Tangible ** || ** Intangible ** || Ø Time required to investigate analogous models, design and staff TIC Ø Time commitment required to collect, analyze and report on technology project implementations. || Ø  Another layer of bureaucracy || Ø Ensure that technology decisions add value compared to costs (e.g., acceptable returns on investment (ROI) ) Ø Avoid costs of non-standardized technologies, primarily maintenance Ø Improve implementation efficiency and project control Ø Avoid cost of wasted efforts or drawn out implementation by ensuring spending decisions are done in proper sequence and are not started until everything is ready || ===== Intangible Benefits ===== Ø Ensure spending decisions are done in proper sequence Ø Improve implementation quality Ø Improve future implementations based on lessons learned Ø “User community” is explicitly involved in implementation decision making Ø Increased transparency to Administration, Board and community  ||  SPECIFIC RESULT #2: Board Advanced Technology Committee Form a Board Advanced Technology Committee to advise and alert the Board of Education about advanced technology issues. 1. Investigate analogous committees that exist in the private sector and at the state and federal levels 2. Design a Board Advanced Technology Committee (BATC) for District 64 based on what was learned during investigations 3. Form the BATC, led by community members along with District 64 staff 4. Establish an approach to investigate new and updated technologies 5. Establish a quarterly reporting schedule: the BATC will submit a report to the Board of their findings of available technologies  ** Tangible ** || ** Intangible ** || Ø Relevant conference attendance (if justified) ($6,000/year) Ø Subscriptions to journals and research reports (if justified) ($250/year) Ø Outside subject matter expert workshop (if justified) ($1,000/year) Ø Time to identify and recruit qualified community members Ø Time to investigate analogous models and design BATC Ø Time commitment required to collect, analyze and report on advanced technology issues not already employed in D64 (Assumes reliance on Internet searches and the subject matter expertise of BATC members) Ø Time to manage the BATC’s work || Ø  Concern about Board involvement in technology planning || Ø Identify new technologies that may materially: - lower education delivery costs - increase student learning scores code  code || ===== Intangible  Benefits ===== Ø Keeps advanced technology applications “At the Table” for planning purposes Ø Provides the Board with a “Advanced Technology Lens” to assess Administration curriculum proposals, School Improvement Plans, student assessment updates and similar oversight briefings Ø Keeps the Board and senior Administration up to date about advanced technology applications in educational settings Ø Supports other Action Plans devoted to increasing teachers’ technology acumen ||  Utilize available technology to manage our schools more efficiently and effectively. 1. Establish an electronic education record for each student that accumulates comprehensive information throughout his or her career in District 64. 2. Electronically log professional training hours into individual staff records. 3. Administrators and teachers will have web-based tools to aggregate and analyze student performance data. 4. Combine energy, water, and telecommunications usage and expenditures across buildings into a single “Resources Dashboard” 5. Utilize web based applications to collaborate and communicate among staff.  ** Tangible ** || ** Intangible ** || Ø Outside training ($ ) Ø Time required to offer training provided by D64 staff Ø Yearly subscriptions as required for web based tools and other applications (e.g. annually – 4 enterprise licenses @ $5,000 each ) Ø Additional development or software modification costs if off the shelf solutions are unavailable. Ø Time required to develop and populate an electronic education record for each student Ø Additional substitute days required during design, development, implementation and training || Ø  Anxiety from change Ø Other technology or training initiatives may be delayed or canceled || Ø Cost savings from better managed resource use Ø Leveraging existing technology (already budgeted) to improve the district’s technology spending and the Return On Investment (ROI) that it receives. Ø Identify individual student needs comprehensively over their educational career Ø Avoid some face to face meeting time necessary to collaborate and share experiences || ===== Intangible  Benefits ===== Ø Record keeping is efficient, accurate and a better use of teacher time Ø Teachers able to access and utilize more data for instructional decision making Ø Supports differentiated instruction Ø Increase collaboration and experience sharing without face to face meetings will improve staff performance  ||  SPECIFIC RESULT #4: Implement Technology Scope and Sequence Implement the Technology Scope and Sequence Curriculum that was developed by the D64 Technology Action Team. 1. Finalize draft of scope and sequence including specific projects or units for each grade level that uses advanced technology. 2. Provide consistent online software and equipment for all schools: a. Obtain technology requirements from curriculum team. b. Define platform that supports the curriculum. c. Provide appropriate hardware and software support. d. Provide appropriate curriculum integration support. e. Acquire platform device(s) 3. Teach at least the targeted usage level of technology as outlined in the technology curriculum and communicate this curriculum to the entire community. 4. Administer and evaluate common District 64 technology student assessments. 5. Provide opportunities for pilot teams to teach using online sources in a textbook free classroom. 6. Establish a periodic review of the technology curriculum.
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 * SPECIFIC RESULT #1: District 64 Technology Implementation Committee **
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Costs & Benefits
** Tangible ** || ** Intangible ** || Ø Substitute costs for committee members to finalize scope and sequence and student assessments code  code Ø Purchase consistent software and/or curriculum for all schools ( 5 annual enterprise licenses @ $10,000 each ) Ø Additional student assessments ($x,xxx annually) || Ø  Increased test scores Ø Meets National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) (see: http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=NETS || ===== Intangible Benefits =====  Ø  Consistency  Ø  Increase student technology usage  Ø  Better prepare for “the next level”  Ø  Keep students engaged  Ø  Technology will be increasingly integrated into the curriculum  Ø  Provides a foundation for other Action Plans  ||  Ensure that all staff adhere to a minimum standard of technology proficiency.  1. Establish the minimum standard of staff technology proficiency.  2. Survey the staff to determine levels of proficiency.  3. Develop an annual program to provide opportunities for all staff to meet minimum District 64 technology requirements. 4. Require new staff to complete required technology training to meet the District 64 minimum technology proficiency. 5. Require all departments and classrooms to create and maintain professional level websites. Sites are to be updated at regular intervals. 6. Recommend contract language, “talking points”, for the next PREA negotiations to ensure all staff attain minimum standards. <span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> ** Tangible ** || ** Intangible ** || Ø Staff time for survey Ø Staff time for individual improvement Ø Retraining time Ø Retesting time Ø Substitute time during staff training || Ø  Teacher anxiety Ø Transition period of working with coach Ø ID roles Ø Difficulty of adding contractual language || Ø More students meet and exceed on standardized tests Ø Lower material costs || ===== Intangible Benefits ===== Ø More student engagement Ø Standardize (buildings and grade levels) Ø More support for teachers Ø Further enhancing student use of technology Ø Consistent teacher skills Ø Fewer gaps in learning experiences from one grade level to the next Ø Less anxiety among staff Ø Higher sense of professionalism Ø Allowing teachers to take more risks (Except for more support and less anxiety) Ø Increased parent satisfaction || <span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Provide certified staff to assist Educators to create, maintain and integrate educational experiences with various technologies as the medium. 1. Create job title and description. 2. Determine staffing needs at each school factoring in curriculum adaptations or adjustments 3. Conduct an internal and external search for teachers who are technologically motivated and savvy to fill this position. 4. Provide appropriate professional development and ongoing training to the people who are hired. 5. Recommend contract language “Talking Points” for the next PREA negotiations to ensure all staff attain minimum standards. <span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> ** Tangible ** || ** Intangible ** || Ø Seven more staff members (up to $350,000 per year) Ø Specialized training ($10,000 for outside training) Ø Training materials ($5,000) Ø Substitute time for training || Ø  Teacher anxiety Ø Time spent in interview process Ø Transition period of working with coach Ø ID roles || Ø More students meet and exceed on standardized tests Ø Lower material costs code <span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> code || ===== Intangible Benefits ===== Ø More student engagement Ø Standardize (buildings and grade levels  Ø  More support for teachers  Ø  Further enhancing student use of technology  Ø  Consistent skills  Ø  Prepare for next grade level  Ø  Less anxiety among staff  Ø  Higher sense of professionalism  Ø  Allowing teachers to take more risks   || <span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> code code Constantly advance technology acumen of administrators and teachers. code <span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> code 1. Develop a multi-year staff development plan for technology.  2. Implement training on available technology as part of required staff development. 3. When new software or equipment is adopted, plan and provide initial intensive training. 4. Institute a summer technology academy. Make it optional at first and negotiate into new contract as mandatory. <span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> ** Tangible ** || ** Intangible ** || Ø Cost & time to develop the plan Ø Cost & time to research breaking technology Ø Cost & time to build and staff technology academy (e.g. 4 staff @ $1,500 annually) code <span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> code Ø Cost of teachers to advance on the salary schedule (?) Ø Incremental operating cost (e.g. $5,000) Ø New/update software and equipment to provide training (e.g. $10,000) || Ø Anxiety Ø Professional development time Ø Reduces training time for other topics. || Ø Higher test scores Ø More effective use of technology (ROI) || ===== Intangible Benefits ===== Ø Keep students engaged Ø Educate teaching staff in keeping up to date with technology skills Ø New technology is assimilated more quickly by teachers Ø Leading edge vs. other districts Ø Instill a love learning in students Ø Sense of professionalism Ø Increase in collaboration Ø Less discipline problems  || code <span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> code <span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Build appropriate network infrastructure to support the advanced use of technology throughout the District. 1. Complete fiber interconnections of schools and build a redundant fail over route via existing T1 lines. 2. Obtain bandwidth utilization figures starting January 2010. 3. Upgrade wired network infrastructure hardware. 4. Upgrade wireless technology within the district 5. Investigate the use of voice over IP to reduce cost and improve communications. <span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> ** Tangible ** || ** Intangible ** || Ø T1 backup network ($55,000/year) Ø Hardware upgrades – switches, routers ($400,000) Ø Wireless upgrades ($225,000) Ø Voice over IP Implementation ($250,000 to be offset by reduced telephone costs) Ø Additional staff or consultants Ø Installation costs are included in above figures Ø How much is already contemplated in “Long Range Budgets”? || Ø  None || Ø Faster connectivity between schools Ø Consolidation of servers, which can save ($x,xxx per year) Ø Backup to main fiber network (second route if something fails) Ø Improved network availability Ø Faster response time || ===== Intangible Benefits ===== Ø Improved computing experience Ø Enhanced ability to implement the curriculum Ø Improves and increases reliability || <span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Utilize technology to inform and communicate to the community. 1. Web pages will be used as a tool for parents/students to access the classroom (i.e. reference homework or study plans). 2. Websites will be updated by teachers on a regular basis. 3. Expand parent portal (Power Teacher) to elementary grades starting at 3rd grade. 4. Encourage parents/teacher to use e-mail to communicate, eliminating individual teacher voicemail accounts. Explore voice over IP option to accommodate inbound phone communications. 5. Provide audio or audio/web conferencing options for meetings in which parent or community involvement is requested (i.e. PTO meetings) 6. Solicit e-mail addresses from District 64 families/individuals so communications sent via traditional methods can also be reinforced through electronic distribution. <span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> ** Tangible ** || ** Intangible ** || Ø Setting up audio web conferencing ($1,000 mics for those PCs without, $5,000 enterprise license annually)(  Ø  Training for the tools (Power Teacher) – ($5,000 to train the trainers)  Ø  Time for staff to train other staff ||  Ø  Forcing parents to communicate in a non-preferred way  Ø  Some people don’t have e-mail or daily computer access  Ø  Forcing teachers to use websites  Ø  Shift in evaluations by teacher due to Parent Portal  Ø   || Ø  Saving money by using Voice over IP (e.g. reduce telephone costs by $10,000/year)  Ø  Saving operational costs (paper, mailing, etc) (e.g. $2,500/year)  || ===== Intangible Benefits =====  Ø  Better communication to parents and community  Ø  Increased participation from parents and community  Ø  Parents have quicker feedback on performance  Ø  Improved response time with communication between parents and teachers  || ** (End of Document) **
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 * SPECIFIC RESULT # 5: Staff Minimum Standards **
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 * SPECIFIC RESULT #6: Staff to Assist Teachers **
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 * <span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SPECIFIC RESULT # 7: Technology Acumen of Staff **
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 * SPECIFIC RESULT #8: Network Infrastructure **
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 * SPECIFIC RESULT #9: Technology to Communicate to Community **
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