Middletown Township School Middletown Township, NJ … · · 2016-10-31Middletown Township Public Schools ... implementing, and expanding a digital platform, known as MTPS Hub

Middletown Township School District Middletown Township, NJ

2016-2019 Technology Plan

Prepared by: The School Innovation & Information

Technology Department

William O. George III, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools

Middletown Township Public Schools


Mission Statement: The Middletown Township Public School District, in partnership with our resourceful and historically rich community, provides students with a rigorous and relevant education, rooted in the New Jersey and Common Core State Standards, motivating them to recognize and develop their full potential as responsible citizens, contributing to an ever-evolving global society. Beliefs: We believe we must function as a united community to…

1. Meet every student’s unique and individual needs, in a safe and nurturing educational environment. 2. Prepare students for innovative opportunities in a rapidly evolving global society, in which technology is integral. 3. Inspire, engage, and challenge students and staff to make the commitment to become lifelong learners, both within

and beyond the classroom walls. 4. Provide all students equitable opportunities for personal development by maintaining progressive resources. 5. Support the success of our children, who are our future.

Technology Plan: The guiding document of Middletown Township Public Schools (MTPS) is our Strategic Plan (2015-2020). This plan provides our learning community with direction for the future “to ensure the success of our students by providing the support and opportunities necessary in developing well-rounded, contributing members of an academic community and beyond.” Developing this strategic plan was a collaborative process that began with a series of community meetings during the Spring of 2015. MTPS continued to collaborate with stakeholders throughout the strategic planning process as we identified initiatives to fulfill our commitment to provide resources necessary “to empower learners to flourish in a connected world by cultivating a passionate professional learning community, linking educators and partners, leveraging

http://middletownk12.org/domain/110


knowledge and expertise, advocating for strategic policies, and continually improving learning and teaching.” (from International Society for Technology in Education [I.S.T.E.] Mission Statement, 2015). This plan has been created utilizing resources from the U.S. Office of Educational Technology National Educational Technology Plan: Future Ready Learning - Reimagining the Role of Technology in Education (2016) and the International Society for Technology in Education Standards for Students (2016) to support our district Strategic Plan (2015-2020) goals. In the Fall of 2015, the superintendent established a Connected Educators Committee, consisting of the superintendent, district technology and digital learning leadership, and MTPS curriculum experts. This committee works to ensure that MTPS technology initiatives and strategies are aligned with our Strategic Plan (2015-2020) goals:

Goal 1: To ensure the success of our students by providing the support and opportunities necessary in developing well-rounded, contributing members of an academic community and beyond. Goal 2: Leverage community resources and utilize effective communication to enhance positive district culture and support student success. Goal 3: Planning for and provision of safe, high quality, and efficiently operated facilities in alignment with the District’s mission and beliefs.

A key strategy in fulfilling these goals is ensuring that every school has an equitable, effective digital learning environment and that students have meaningful access to technology. The success of this strategy requires the commitment and cooperation of everyone in the school system. We are continuing our instructional digital conversion, designed for student empowerment, driven by the curriculum, and delivered with the full support of the School Innovation and Information Technology Department. While students already benefit from technological advancements at home and in their social lives, they can also benefit from these advancements in the classroom. MTPS’ teachers are already maximizing their use of available technology. The School Innovation and Information Technology Department recognizes the gains made

http://tech.ed.gov/netp/

http://tech.ed.gov/netp/

http://www.iste.org/standards/standards/for-students-2016

http://www.iste.org/standards/standards/for-students-2016




possible by these uses of technology, and has developed a focused plan to provide additional resources to further improve student outcomes in this new digital learning environment, including a unified data portal to be named MTPS Hub . For students and teachers alike, this initiative will bring new experiences and challenges to teaching and learning. There is still a digital divide in Middletown Township between those who have access to computers and the Internet and those who do not. In order to provide a systemwide, equitable digital environment for learning, MTPS will continue moving towards a One-to-One platform – meaning that each student will have access to a digital learning device in his or her hands. Students, educators, and parents all benefit from the strategic deployment of technology. Such technology brings equitable access to more accurate and timely information, and enables collaboration among teachers and learners. Outdated and expensive hardcover textbooks continue to be replaced by digitized curriculum, the new standard, instantly providing up-to-date resources to every student. Technology also allows for personalization of learning. Instruction moves at the learner’s individual pace. Teachers deliver differentiated instruction based on real time assessments and data results. Equity is vital to the success of this digital initiative. Consistent implementation in every classroom in every school using the same technology standards for an effective digital learning environment will ensure that every MTPS student has access to the opportunities technology can provide. These goals provide strategic direction for the School Innovation and Information Technology Department as it works to implement digital conversions throughout the school system and support personalized student-directed learning. In order to promote and achieve these goals, the Department has identified supporting strategies and a timeline for each objective. The Department has also noted recent accomplishments to illustrate how we have previously addressed these strategies.



Goal 1: Student Success: To ensure the success of our students by providing the support and opportunities necessary in developing well-rounded, contributing members of an academic community and beyond.

Supporting Strategy #1: MTPS Hub MTPS is committed to developing, implementing, and expanding a digital platform, known as MTPS Hub. The purpose of MTPS Hub is to streamline administrative processes, promote stakeholder collaboration, increase productivity, and personalize learning. This digital learning ecosystem provides a centralized location for staff, students, parents, and administrators to access various interoperable applications such as the Learning Management System, Student Information System, Professional Learning Platform, and Digital Resource Repository. Supporting Strategy #2: Learning Management System As part of MTPS Hub, the School Innovation and Information Technology Department will oversee the development and support for a unified Learning Management System (LMS). This system will include a curriculum management system, gradebook, assessment tools, and instructional resources. Supporting Strategy #3: Digital Learning Resource Repository Within MTPS Hub, the School Innovation and Information Technology Department will build a unified digital repository to house teaching and learning, research, media, and library content.

Supporting Strategy #4: Student Information System Within MTPS Hub, the School Innovation and Information Technology Department will research and provide the most efficient student information system which meets the needs of the District, enabling student data management across multiple domains. These include:

● Attendance


● Enrollment ● Grade/Transcript Reporting ● Scheduling ● Gradebook ● Discipline ● Transportation ● Athletics ● Summer School ● School Nurse/Health System ● World Languages ● Course Maintenance ● Special Education Programs ● School Boundaries ● Graduation Progress/Process Tracking ● Designee/Court Liaison Tracking ● IEP/504 Tracking ● Special Functions ● System Interfaces ● Federal and State Reporting ● Student Assessment Data

Supporting Strategy #5: Increased Use of Research and Data Analysis As part of MTPS Hub, School Innovation and Information Technology Department will launch a modular, online platform that is educative and engaging for teachers and administrators that will provide actionable data and research-based solutions to improve learning. Supporting Strategy #6: Expand Network Access


Coverage MTPS is committed to providing equitable network access to all students. To that end, School Innovation and Information Technology Department has already outfitted all 17 schools with wireless broadband coverage and increased external bandwidth to ensure that every school provides an equitable, effective digital learning environment. School Innovation and Information Technology Department will continue to evaluate and upgrade internal wireless and wired connections, switching equipment, and external district-wide Internet bandwidth to ensure sufficient resources available to all students. Supporting Strategy #7: One-to-One Initiative To ensure a learner-centered, personalized, blended environment that is powered by digital resources and interactive curriculum that is accessible anytime and anywhere, all teachers and students will receive a computing device. The current timeline for implementation is as follows:

● 2014–2015 Students and Instructional Staff in Grades 3, 6, & 9. Grades 6 & 9 students will be able to use their computing devices at home.

● 2015–2016 Students and Instructional Staff in Grades 3 - 12. Grades 6-12 students will be able to use their computing devices at home.

The School Innovation and Information Technology Department will oversee this program to ensure that these devices are suitable, appropriately maintained, and upgraded as necessary. Supporting Strategy #8: Home Broadband Access In an effort to provide equitable Internet access to all students while they are at home, MTPS will partner with a local internet service provider to offer affordable broadband Internet access to qualified students and families in their homes. This will extend the digital learning environment to home as well as school. Supporting Strategy #9: MTPL Partnership


MTPS will continue to partner with the public libraries to provide wireless access points so that student devices could readily connect to MTPS resources. Students that have One-to-One devices, but have either slow or no Internet access from home can go to our Middletown Township Public Library to access the Internet and school resources.


Goal 2: Community Partnerships, Parent Involvement, and Public Relations: Leverage community resources and utilize effective communication to enhance positive district culture and support student success. Supporting Strategy #10: Web Portal / Collaboration System / Parent Portal / Community University As part of the MTPS Hub initiative, the School Innovation and Information Technology Department will keep parents and guardians informed and engaged in their child’s education by providing online access to grades, transcripts, schedules, attendance and various other data elements. Additionally, beginning in the Fall of 2016, a Community University featuring educational videos / online training modules to educate students, parents and staff on digital literacy and citizenship will be available to our school community via our district website.


Also, during the 2016-2017 school year, community digital literacy and citizenship learning nights will also expand to serve all schools in our district. Supporting Strategy #11: One-to-One Initiative MTPS recognizes that communication about the Strategic Plan and One-to-One Initiative is crucial to the MTPS community. The school system has a number of tools and will continue to expand and use in this regard, all of which are supported by the School Innovation and Information Technology Department technology, including the following:

● A newly redesigned, dynamic, and content-rich district website; ● District, superintendent, and teacher / administrator Twitter accounts; ● District Facebook ● District Newsletters, delivered online on our district website; ● School Messenger, for delivering phone messages to parents; ● Regular media contacts and news releases; ● Board of Education and other learning community video messages, delivered online on our district website; ● High School student-lead video production programs; ● Stakeholder advisory groups and community meetings.

In addition, the District will launch a new Educator Academy and Community University on our MTPS Hub to personalize learning for staff and families. Efforts to support the Strategic Plan have already begun, with initial efforts to educate the community about the need to move to a one-to-one digital learning environment. In addition to internal communication and professional learning activities conducted for staff, MTPS has conducted additional activities aimed at a broad array of stakeholders. These include: A formal program announcement during a Board of Education State of the Schools meeting; Presentations by the superintendent at various local and national forums; Production of two New Jersey Department of Education innovateNJ videos highlighting how the one-to-one environment operates, shown online on our district district website; Additional content on the MTPS district website, including the program rationale and updates on conversion progress.


As the initiative proceeds, messages will shift away from making the case for the conversion, and toward updating the community on timeline progress. MTPS will continue to emphasize student and family responsibility for One-to-One devices, and share stories about how the initiative functions in our schools and raises engagement, rigor, and achievement. These messages will be delivered using an integrated multifaceted approach taking advantage of all MTPS’ communication tools.


Goal 3: Facilities and Finance: Planning for and provision of safe, high quality, and efficiently operated facilities in alignment with the District’s mission and beliefs. Supporting Strategy #12: Web Content Filtering System The previous appliance-based Web content filtering system has been upgraded to a cloud-based, K-12 specific web content filtering system. The Web content filtering system allows access to necessary Internet resources that are safe for educational use, while blocking harmful content, independent on where the student is accessing the Internet from. The content filtering system automatically analyzes Internet traffic and determines whether the content is safe for K-12 students, as well as for teachers and administrative and support personnel. The new Web content filtering system allows for different levels of access depending upon the rights assigned to the user’s group, based on username. The School Innovation and Information Technology Department will continue to update and maintain this system as needed. Supporting Strategy #13: Security Camera Upgrades MTPS recognizes that a safe and secure learning environment is of critical importance in today’s world. Started in the summer of 2016, with the collaborative efforts of the Information Technology Department, Facilities Department, and Security Department, MTPS have begun a comprehensive security camera project throughout the district. The project includes installation of internal and external IP cameras, digital video servers, and switching equipment in each of the 17 schools. The system, though comprehensive, does have the ability to be expanded moving forward. The Information Technology Department, Facilities Department, and Security Department, along with building and district level administration will evaluate the system and upgrade as necessary.


APPENDIX A


APPENDIX B


APPENDIX C

Middletown Township Public Schools School Innovation Department

Supervisor of Instructional Technology - K-12: Daniel Alston

Network Administrator / Manager of Information Systems: David Siwiak

Educational Technology Specialists: Digital Communications and Classroom Technology Specialist:

Media Specialists:

Jesse Herbert Matthew Lametta Ceil Freda

Daniel Imbimbo Lauren Gormley

Genie Iovino Lisa Ligo

Alyssa Miller Rachel Raymond

Wendy Morales Lauren Stout

Regina Schaffer

Marla Weinstein


APPENDIX D MTPS Technology Surveys 2016

Elementary students: Data Insights:


APPENDIX D (cont.) MTPS Technology Surveys 2016

Student using a computer device (chromebook, laptop, iPad, etc.) = 436 (67.2%)

Teacher using projector and smartboard = 284 (43.8%) Students and teachers using projector and smartboard = 164 (25.3%)

Other = 22 (3.4%)

Secondary students: Data Insights:



Student using a computer device (chromebook, laptop, iPad, etc.) = 277 (63.7%)

Teacher using projector and smartboard = 211 (48.5) Students and teachers using projector and smartboard = 151 (34.7%)

Other = 35 (8%)



Staff: Data Insights:

Direct Instruction (ex. Smartboard Lesson - Substitution) = 318 (79.9%)

Administering Assessments (ex. Google Forms, Dreambox - Augmentation) = 214 (53.8%) Publishing student writing and presentations (Google Docs, Presentations, PPTX - Modification) = 266 (66.8%)

Collaborative and problem based learning projects (ex. self selected group projects - Redefinition) =173 (43.5%) Other = 81 (20.4%)


APPENDIX D (cont.)

MTPS Technology Surveys 2016

Integrating Social Media and Digital Citizenship = 78 (19.6%)

Google Apps for Education & Classroom and Add-ons/Extensions = 245 (61.6%) Google Certification Bootcamps for Teachers & Administrators = 95 (23.9%)

Aligning Technology with Curriculum = 179 (45%) Technology Lesson Planning & Reflection Frameworks (i.e. SAMR, TPACK, etc.) = 62 (15.6%)

Using Technology to Create Student-Centered Learning (pedagogy) = 189 (47.5%) Creating Student Digital Portfolios = 105 (26.4%)

SMARTBoard/Interactive Whiteboard Training = 97 (24.4%) Google Chromebook Training = 92 (23.1%)

Apple iPad Training = 56 (14.1%) Professional Learning Communities in Action = 50 (12.6%)

Research Subscriptions & Databases - 52 (13.1%)


Parents: Data Insights:




APPENDIX E IMPLEMENTATION PLANNING – DISTRICT-BASED STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN

NJTRAx PARCC Readiness Rating: 9 Future Ready Digital Learning Readiness Rating: 7


APPENDIX E (cont.) IMPLEMENTATION PLANNING – DISTRICT-BASED STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN








Goal 3: Planning for and provision of safe, high quality, and efficiently operated facilities in alignment with the District’s mission and beliefs.

Objective: Cultivate social services partnerships to enrich students’ academic, social and emotional growth.

Strategic Action Plan for Facilities and Finance:

Many of the aforementioned resources listed in the Support Strategies were approved by the MTPS Board of Education in the 2016-2017 school district budget. Any additional resources from this plan that have not been included in the 2016-2017 school district budget will be submitted for Board of Education approval during Year 2 (2017-2018) and Year 3 (2018-2019).


APPENDIX F

Documents

Middletown Township School Middletown Township, NJ … · · 2016-10-31Middletown Township Public Schools ... implementing, and expanding a digital platform, known as MTPS Hub