Mount Baker School District
Information Technology Plan
2004-2007
Updated April 2004
Contact:
Dr. Richard Gantman, Superintendent
Mount Baker School District
P. 0. Box 95, Deming, WA 98244-0095
Phone: 360-383-2000, Fax: 360-383-2009
E-mail:
rgantman@mtbaker.wednet.edu
Overview
Mount Baker School District Mission Statement
The Mount Baker School District, working with the community, will provide all students a strong educational foundation upon which they can build their futures as productive citizens in our changing world.
Technology Mission Statement
The use of technology in the Mount Baker School District will help develop fully educated, adaptable, and inventive individuals by stressing resourcefulness, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Vision Statements
The Technology Committee of the Mount Baker School District recognizes the importance of adopting and fully utilizing new educationally significant technologies. These technologies will serve as important tools, which will help our students reach their academic potentials. Furthermore, through the use of modern technologies, students will enhance their positive approaches to challenges, changes, and adjustments that they will inevitably face in the technology age ahead of them.
New technologies used in “hands-on” procedures will enhance and support student learning and curriculum. Overcoming the obstacle of distance in a rural community, they will be able to gather information from distant places. Students will have opportunities to develop greater understanding of distant regions and peoples. In addition, students will be able to “personalize” learning through the application of data in various deliveries of software in all subject areas. Students will also benefit from the integration of curricula. A wide range of student learning styles will be accommodated.
Goals for the Use of Technology
- Members of the school community will be able to use a variety of technological resources to access information, synthesize it into a useful form, and communicate it to an audience.
- Technology will be available as a problem-solving tool to all members of the school community.
- The District will provide district-wide equity in access and use of technology.
- There will be on-going support and training in the use of current and emerging technology.
- Responsible and legal use of technology will be practiced.
Benchmarks and Timelines
Student Technology Learning Benchmarks
The following broad goals reflect the desired outcomes of students graduating from Mount Baker High School. In order for students to successfully complete these goals, technology should be appropriately integrated into each classroom beginning in the primary grades.
Key categories presented in this document are Communication, Information Processing, Productivity, and Ethics. A broad overview of K- 12 goals is presented in each category.
Communication - Students will use technology to communicate effectively and creatively.
- Students will communicate through application software.
- Create well-written documents, spreadsheets and databases.
- Students will communicate visually, graphically and artistically using multimedia presentations.
- Use a variety of technology: computers, projection devices, camcorders, video editing equipment, scanners, handheld devices, video and audio equipment, digital cameras.
- Students will communicate through networks and telecommunication.
- Use computer networks and telecommunications: electronic mail, Internet.
Information Processing - Students will use technology to access and retrieve, to interpret and evaluate visual and auditory information.
- Use search strategies to retrieve information.
- Use on-site electronic resources (encyclopedias, catalogs, hand-held learning tools).
- Use networks to access information (on-line databases, libraries, electronic bulletin boards).
Productivity - Students will use technology and its applications to maximize productivity and skill development.
- Use technology to develop learning and workplace skills.
- Use technology to support the development of process skills in all content areas.
- Develop strategies for problem solving, critical and creative thinking.
- Create high quality multimedia products.
- Develop creativity and innovation through the use of technology.
- Select and access technology appropriate to needs.
- Use correct starting and exiting procedures.
- Develop keyboarding skills.
- Operate peripheral devices.
- Use technology independently and cooperatively.
Ethics - Students will use technology safely and ethically.
1. Students will complete a Network Use Agreement prior to using the district's equipment. (See appendix)
Student Technology Learning Benchmarks - Grades K - 2
Students leaving the 2nd grade will be able to complete the following specific tasks:
Communications
 | Create documents using word processing skills |
| Create documents using simple publishing programs. |
| Create simple graphics. |
| Explore digital sound on the computer. |
Information Processing
| Use search strategies such as key words. |
| Use electronic encyclopedias and library catalogs. |
| Cite Sources (where they got their information). |
Productivity
| Know how to start a program and a use a disk storing their data. |
| Use software for computer assisted instruction. |
| Develop basic keyboarding skills (left hand using keys on left side and right hand using keys on right side). |
| Know how to properly save their work. |
| Use technology independently and cooperatively. |
Ethics
| Demonstrate respect for others’ files/work. |
| Care for and proper use of technology equipment. Use it safely. |
| Complete and sign the district's network use agreement (see appendix) |
Student Technology Learning Benchmarks - Grades 3 - 6
Students leaving the 6th grade will be able to complete the following specific tasks:
Communications
| Create written documents using word processing skills, writing process steps, and publishing programs. |
| Use electronic spell checker/thesaurus. |
| Use computer graphic programs. |
| Use publishing software and scanners to produce layouts. |
| Uses digital and/or analog sounds in presentations. |
| Use network communication systems (electronic mail). Students will be closely guided in learning about appropriate use of the Internet and e-mail. |
Information Processing
| Demonstrate that they know how to back-up their work. |
| Use proper disk maintenance. |
| Use search strategies to search for information. |
| Use electronic encyclopedias, almanacs, indexes and catalogs. |
| Use electronic calculators. |
| Formally cite sources. |
| Develop an awareness of validity of resources. |
Productivity
| Select and use technology appropriate to needs. |
| Develop keyboarding skills at or above 30 wpm with hands on home row keys at least 80% of the time (right and left placement). |
| Demonstrate basic file management techniques. |
| Use technology independently and cooperatively. |
Ethics
| Follow fair use and copyright guidelines. |
| Care for technology equipment and use it safely. |
| Sign and abide by Network use agreement. |
| Understand copyright laws and other ethical issues pertaining to use of technology in society. |
Student Technology Learning Benchmarks - Grades 7 - 8
Students leaving the 8th grade will be able to complete the following specific tasks:
Communication
| Produce a document using word processing incorporating both text and graphics and following the writing process steps. |
| Create databases and spreadsheets and integrate them into reports/word-processed documents. |
| Collect, manipulate and interpret data. |
| Use publishing software and scanners to produce page layouts. |
| Use electronic spell checkers, and thesauruses. |
| Produce a video recording using a camcorder and digital video-editing equipment. |
| Use digital video and audio equipment. |
| Create multimedia presentations which link various media including digital video and audio. |
| Use network communication such as electronic mail. |
Information Processing
| Use search strategies to retrieve electronic information. |
| Use electronic databases such as encyclopedias, almanacs and catalogs to retrieve, and select pertinent information. |
| Cite sources formally. |
| Critically evaluate the content of web sites and other sources of information. |
Productivity
| Use software to learn new concepts. |
| Select and use technology appropriate to needs. |
| Develop keyboarding skills at or above 40 wpm with correct body posture and fingering position on all keys using touch-typing at least 80% of the time. |
| Care for technology hardware and use it safely. |
| Understand basic capabilities and limitations of technology's hardware and software. |
| Use technology independently and cooperatively. |
| Use preventative maintenance (troubleshooting) skills. |
Ethics
| Follow fair use and copyright guidelines. |
| Care for technology equipment and use it safely. |
| Sign and abide by Network use agreement. |
| Understand copyright laws and other ethical issues pertaining to use of technology in society. |
Student Technology Learning Benchmarks - Grades 9 – 12
Students leaving the 12th grade will be able to complete the following specific tasks:
Communication
| Create a document at the keyboard using word processing skills and the writing process steps. |
| Use publishing software and scanners. |
| Communicate through spreadsheets: entering data and setting up formulas, and create graphs or charts to visually represent data. |
| Communicate through databases and spreadsheets by creating reports using data. |
| Create effective multimedia presentations, which link various media. |
| Use electronic mail and video conferencing. |
Information Processing
| Use search strategies to locate electronic information (identify key words, narrows search by addition of terms, broadens search, uses truncation, uses wild cards). |
| Use electronic databases such as encyclopedias, almanacs, indexes and catalogs. |
| Use hand-held electronic devices |
| Formally cite sources. |
Productivity
| Use applications programs to create high quality products. |
| Develop creativity and innovation through the use of technology. |
| Select and access technology appropriate to needs. |
| Develop keyboarding skills at or above 40 wpm using correct body posture and finger placement 100% of the time. |
| Use technology independently and cooperatively. |
| Use technology vocabulary and knowledge. |
| Understand social implications of technology. |
| Use preventative maintenance (troubleshooting) skills. |
Ethics
| Follow fair use and copyright guidelines. |
| Care for technology equipment and use it safely. |
| Sign and abide by Network use agreement. |
| Understand copyright laws and other ethical issues pertaining to use of technology in society. |
Alignment with Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements
The Mount Baker School District technology plan and implementation strategies will be aligned with national standards and state standards as stated in ESHB 1209, Raising Standards (The Commission on Student Learning). The available technologies will be integrated into each classroom to be used as powerful tools to assist students in achieving these higher standards.
Communication Essential Learnings
1. The student uses listening and observation skills to gain understanding.
2. The student communicates ideas clearly and effectively.
3. The student uses communication strategies and skills to work effectively with others.
4. The student analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of formal and informal communication.
Computer technology is a tool that allows students to communicate in many different ways. Our Student Technology Learning Benchmarks have a communication component to it that aligns quite easily with the state Essential Learnings for Communication. For example, our plan expects students to use a variety of technology to communicate visually, graphically and artistically using multimedia presentations (#2 above). Students will use electronic mail and the Internet to communicate and share ideas with others from around the state, country, and world (#3 above).
Reading Essential Learnings
1. The student understands and uses different skills and strategies to read.
2. The student understands the meaning of what is read.
3. The student reads different materials for a variety of purposes.
4. The student sets goals and evaluates progress to improve reading.
There is an enormous amount of information available to students through current and planned technologies in the Mount Baker School District. Much of this information will provide opportunities for reading, through instructional software, electronic encyclopedias, and information found on the internet. These will readily align with the Essential Learnings for Reading. For example, students will critically evaluate the content of web sites and other sources of information (#2 and #3 above). They will use search strategies to retrieve electronic information (#1 above).
Writing Essential Learnings
1. The student writes clearly and effectively.
2. The student writes in a variety of forms for different audiences and purposes.
3. The student understands and uses the steps of the writing process.
4. The student analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of written work.
Technology is a tool that can have a powerful impact on the writing process. Some examples: students will use word processors, publishing software and e-mail to communicate with a variety of audiences for a variety of purposes (# 2 above). Students will publish their written documents using page-layout software and Web publishing software. They will seek and offer feedback on their own writing and the writing of others (#3 and #4 above).
Mathematics Essential Learnings
1. The student understands and applies the concepts and procedures of mathematics.
2. The student uses mathematics to define and solve problems.
3. The student uses mathematical reasoning.
4. The student communicates knowledge and understanding in both everyday and mathematical language.
5. The student understands how mathematical ideas connect within mathematics, to other subject areas, and to real-life situations.
Mathematics and computers have many logical connections that offer opportunities for students to learn the concepts of mathematics through the use of computer technology. For example, students will use hand-held electronic devices (computational and graphing calculators, scientific measuring equipment) to process information to solve real-world problems (#2, #3, #4 and #5 above). Students will create databases and spreadsheets and integrate them into reports and word-processed documents (#2 and #4). Students will use spreadsheets to analyze and interpret information (#1 and #3).
Integration of Technology into the Classroom
The Mount Baker School District technology plan will support integration of technology into regular classroom activities so that technology will become an integral part of instruction. The District Technology Committee will collaborate with curriculum committees to recommend specific uses of technology to enhance student learning in the subject areas.
Network and Telecommunications Plan
Current Status of Technology Equipment
The Mount Baker School District is totally networked using Microsoft Windows NT and TCP/IP on a wide area network connected to three local area networks.
There are five schools on the wide area network. Each of our three elementary schools has a point-to-point T-1 connection to the high school campus. This T-1 connection is split evenly for data and voice communications.
All locations have an installed Ethernet network using category five wiring. The outlying elementary schools have a backup domain controller to the primary domain controller at the main campus. MBSD uses a single domain model with subnets and DHCP to manage the allocation of IP addresses. The district is an authoritative Domain Name Server (DNS), allowing a faster resolution of Internet addresses. The district has its own domain (mtbaker.wednet.edu) giving us an independent identity on the World Wide Web.
Each classroom has at least one networked computer with Internet access using Netscape or Internet Explorer, E-mail, and programs such as Microsoft Office. About 80% of all computers are multi-media capable. An upgrade plan is being implemented which will result in a new computer for every location every six years.
The district currently has a PBX phone system that utilizes ISDN phone lines. This system is maintained with an annual maintenance contract with a local phone vendor. The district also utilizes 25 cell phones and 22 pagers.
It will be important to continuously evaluate the availability of electrical power in each classroom and network capacity as additional computer are added to the network.
Computer Inventory
|
School |
# Computers |
Networked |
PC |
Apple |
Multimedia |
|
Acme |
95 |
95 |
95 |
0 |
95 |
|
Harmony |
125 |
110 |
110 |
15 |
110 |
|
Kendall |
150 |
150 |
150 |
0 |
150 |
|
High School |
260 |
260 |
260 |
0 |
232 |
|
Junior High |
110 |
110 |
110 |
0 |
96 |
|
Administration |
10 |
10 |
10 |
0 |
10 |
|
Totals |
|
735 |
735 |
15 |
693 |
Basic Core of Technology
The current status of the MBSD technology provides a computer and telecommunications network that allows for maximum communications (voice, video, and data) connecting rooms within the building, buildings within the district, as well as universal access to network resources throughout the state and the world. This component consists of the following items:
Equipment and Software
1. Every building is wired to the district's voice and data network standard thereby allowing for access to the network from any classroom and or workstation in the District
2. Each classroom and workstation in every building has at least one computer connected to the network.
3. Each network computer is equipped with management, communications and application software.
4. Every school has at least one networked computer lab.
5. Each school has access to equipment for large group instruction and each classroom has a phone and necessary networking connections.
6. Each school has access to network resources (such as dedicated servers) to carry out technology plan goals.
Network Technology Support
Maintenance and Upgrades
We recommend that the district budget an appropriate amount per year to upgrade existing computers and to purchase new computers and software as new staff is added. Upgrades will also occur in the network backbone.
Curriculum Support
Instructional support will be provided on an on-going basis through the district staff development program.
The District Technology Committee, made up of one teacher from each school and up to three administrators, will be trained to provide leadership and technical training to meet the specific staff development needs.
A Webmaster will maintain the district website and provide guidance to staff as they develop classroom and other educationally related websites.
Technology Maintenance
We currently have a Computer Network Administrator and a computer technician on staff to set up equipment, install software, perform software and hardware maintenance, maintain the network, and manage the inventory. We also have designated and are paying one person at each school to serve as a Technical Support person. Additional maintenance for technology equipment may be provided through students trained by Technology Services and contracted services when necessary.
Technology Requests from Schools
The District Technology Committee has a representative from each school. Each committee member is charged with the responsibility of communicating the committee's work and bringing all school requests to the committee.
The committee is in the process of developing procedures for reviewing and approving school requests.
Future Plans
| The district plans to continue and apply e-rate dollars to enhance its current information technology capabilities including. |
| Expanding the K-20 video-conferencing system to all schools to enhance learning opportunities. |
| Install television cable to each classroom in all schools (AES, HES, and parts of the High School remaining to be wired). |
| Permanently install projection devices in each school's computer lab, the High School auditorium and the libraries. |
| Wireless technologies will be evaluated and used as necessary to extend the network's capabilities for enhancing the learning environment. |
| All new construction, including portables, will be connected to the district's telephone and computer network. |
| Evaluate technologies to allow access to district technology from outside the district's network. |
Level of Connectivity
All computers on our Wide Area Network (WAN) have access to the network and the Internet through T-1 connections. Each WAN site, as well as the main campus is using a proxy server to cache Internet data and conserve bandwidth.
Twelve fiber runs have been installed at the Junior/Senior High School campus and Administration building.
Network wiring at the Junior/Senior High School campus needs to be re-terminated to comply with category five wiring standards.
Timeline for Implementation
|
School Year |
Description of Activity |
||||||||||||||
|
Technology Services |
|||||||||||||||
|
2004-05 |
|
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|
2005-06 |
|
||||||||||||||
|
2006-07 |
|
||||||||||||||
|
Technology Services and Technology Committee |
|||||||||||||||
|
Ongoing |
Purchase and install equipment as per needs assessment and district plan. |
||||||||||||||
|
Technology Committee |
|||||||||||||||
|
2004-05 |
|
||||||||||||||
|
2005-06 |
|
||||||||||||||
|
2006-07 |
|
||||||||||||||
|
Technology Committee Ongoing Program of Work |
|||||||||||||||
|
Ongoing |
· Integrate the Technology Committee’s work with other Curriculum Committees · Staff development in specific areas of technology. · Increase capacity for collaboration among staff, including the continued development of an on-line curriculum database. |
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The table below is included for reference (italicized items have been accomplished).
|
School Year |
Description of Activity |
||||||||||||||
|
1997-98 |
|
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|
1998-99 |
|
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|
1999-2000 |
|
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|
2000-01 |
|
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|
2001-02 |
|
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|
2002-03 |
|
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|
2003-04 |
|
Staff Development Strategy
Technology Goals for Staff
The following technology goals reflect the expectations of the district that all teachers will perform the tasks appropriate for their grade level.
Productivity: Increase teaching time by using management programs to streamline grades, attendance, lunch count, etc. Utilize report card programs, databases, and spreadsheets for management of student data. Prepare high quality teaching materials.
Communication: Use technology to communicate effectively and efficiently with students, staff, parents and the community at large.
Information: Access current information to supplement teaching resources with electronic sources and on-line services. Utilize programs that allow teachers to more easily develop, evaluate and present information.
Assessment: Track individual work and class progress with reporting options available in software programs. Report student achievement to parents. Review portfolios of student work and writing saved on the network. Prepare written assessments of student progress with report card programs.
Instructional Resources: Use a variety of multi-media materials to more effectively differentiate instruction to reach students with diverse learning styles. Plan individualized learning programs based on assessment data. Increase student motivation with expanded multi-media resources for class work and assignments. Provide opportunities for students to work collaboratively and actively.
Ethics: Appropriately model ethical use of technology. Complete and sign Network use agreement. (See appendix)
Implementation of Technology Goals for Staff
Staff will be surveyed periodically to determine their current needs for training and courses will be provided to meet those needs. Staff development will be provided by the Mount Baker School District personnel and through attendance at seminars and conferences.
The technology committee, in conjunction with the assistant superintendent, is responsible for the implementation of the staff development component of the technology plan. Classes may be offered during school, after school and on weekends, as well as during the summer.
Financial resources will be allocated to pay for teachers to participate in a variety of staff development opportunities including seminars and conferences. Our staff development program offers clock hours and college credits.
Identified areas for staff development include:
1. Introduction to networked systems to include: file sharing, Windows, and Internet access.
2. Using basic network resources such as: library system and networked software.
3. Methods course in teaching basic keyboard instruction and writing.
4. Integration of technology into the curriculum.
5. Basic administrative productivity tools, including word processing, presentation software, spreadsheet, database management, e-mail, and student management programs.
6. Integration of district adopted software as a tool to support the K-12 curriculum.
Long Term Funding Strategy
Funding for the Technology Committee Budget, Technical Support, and Annual Telecommunications costs of the Mount Baker School District Technology Plan is based on district operating funds (both basic education and levy monies). The district will also apply for federal and state grants to enhance the computer technology in the district. The District will make sure that technology systems meet standards for e-rate, K-20 and Federal grants.
Consideration should be made to run a technology levy in 2005-06.
|
Technology Committee |
|
|
|
|
|
2004-2005 |
2005-06 |
2006-07 |
|
Item |
Budgeted |
Budgeted |
Budgeted |
|
Committee member stipend |
3000 |
3000 |
3000 |
|
Web master stipend |
2000 |
2000 |
2000 |
|
Tech mentor program director stipend |
500 |
500 |
500 |
|
Tech mentor program |
3500 |
3500 |
3500 |
|
Staff development |
16000 |
16000 |
16000 |
|
Building Tech support |
8000 |
8000 |
8000 |
|
Building Level Instructional Technology Support |
5000 |
5000 |
5000 |
|
District Tech Support |
22000 |
22000 |
22000 |
|
Technology Committee Total |
60000 |
60000 |
60000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Technology Services |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item |
Budgeted |
Budgeted |
Budgeted |
|
Operations |
57000 |
57000 |
57000 |
|
Equipment |
40000 |
40000 |
40000 |
|
Network Administrator |
65431 |
67394 |
69416 |
|
Computer Technician |
33213 |
33546 |
33881 |
|
Technology Services Total |
195645 |
197940 |
200297 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grand Total |
255645 |
257940 |
260297 |
Assessment and Evaluation of the Technology Plan
Evaluation of this plan is an ongoing, continual process. The Technology Committee will continue to meet on a regular basis to assess the District’s progress toward meeting its goals. In addition, the committee will reevaluate the validity of the goals as they relate to the current needs of the district. It will continue to be the responsibility of the committee to recommend modifications to the plan.
Success is determined by:
| Improvement of student scores on Washington State Assessments given at the 4th, 7th, and 10th grade. This is our primary indicator of improved student learning. |
| Meeting and completing the student learning goals outlined in the Student Technology Learning Benchmarks. |
| Achieving funding at the levels indicated in the plan. |
| The level of implementation of computer technology in the classroom. |
On an annual basis, the district will analyze the results of the Washington State assessments given to students in grades 4, 7, and 10. The technology committee will specifically analyze the results related to the EALRs as indicated in the Student Technology Learning Benchmarks section of this document.
In addition, students in grades 2, 6, 8 and 12 will be assessed on their ability to meet the Student Technology Learning Benchmarks defined earlier in this document. The Technology committee will begin development of the assessment methods in 2004-05 school year and implement a formal assessment of the goals in 2005-06.
The committee will periodically conduct a survey of staff to determine their level of confidence using technology in the classroom, level of perceived technology integration into the curriculum, training needs, and perceived level of student competency related to the Student Technology Learning Benchmarks outlined in this plan.
The Technology Committee will use the above criteria to determine when and where recommendations for modifications to the plan should be made. The committee chairperson will make a report of progress toward goals and bring recommendations for modifications of the plan to the School Board each spring at a regularly scheduled School Board meeting or work session.
The Technology plan is viewed as a “live” document. The Technology Committee will review the plan annually, its contents, progress toward goals and overall relevancy given the rapidly changing landscape of the overall picture of technology in education and society.
Equity
The Mount Baker School District will address the issue of equity by ensuring availability, providing adequate training and continual support for the entire school district community. Periodic classes will be held to train school volunteers and the general public in use of technology.
Public Relations
The Technology Plan is available to the public upon request and will be accessible through the district web site. The plan will be made available as part of any future meetings involving the public where the meeting involves the use of technology within the Mount Baker School District.
Partnerships
The Mount Baker School District will continue to develop partnerships with the community, state and national agencies, colleges and universities, businesses outside of the school district, and other school districts within the state and nation.