Upload
marc-richmond
View
219
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
NPS Tech Plan 2012
Citation preview
Newton Public Schools Newton,Massachusetts
Approved by:Dr. David A. Fleishman,Superintendent of SchoolsJanuary, 2012
Contact:Leo Brehm,Director of Information Technology
Email:[email protected]:617-559-6190
InstructionalTechnology
Plan 2011-2013
InstructionalTechnology
Plan
Updated: 2011-2012
Action PlanOrganizational Chart
Budget
Newton Public Schools • Newton, Massachusetts
InstructionalTechnology
Plan2011 – 2013
Executive Summary
“The Newton Public Schools is committed to preparing ourchildren to succeed in a global economy. To that end, ourschool system needs sustainable, up-to-date technology infra-structure, equipment and staff support. We see as a priorityfor FY’08 establishing a technology plan that explains howbest to leverage the investments we have made to date intechnology as we build our stock for the future.”
Dr. Jeffrey Young, Superintendent of Schools
One of the biggest challenges Newton educators face is preparing our students towork and thrive in the 21st century. Most educators realize that in addition to “tradi-tional” basic literacy, we need to teach students the vital skills required in this digitalage, such as critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration. By providing up-to-date resources, along with the professional development needed to make the best useof these resources, we are able to weave technology into teaching and learning. Thisintegration will help us to differentiate instruction and engage students in the questfor deeper understanding of concepts needed to flourish in a complex and ever-chang-ing society.
Newton’s Three-Year Plan (2008-2011) outlines the resources necessary for teachersand administrators to meet this challenge and for students to take advantage of up-to-date electronic resources and opportunities to collaborate within and outside theclassroom walls. Its goals are organized in four key areas listed in the MassachusettsSTaR Chart (http://www.doe.mass.edu/boe/sac/edtech/star.html):
• Teaching and Learning
• Educator Preparation and Development (Professional Development)
• Infrastructure
• Administration and Support Services
These key focus areas, along with the findings and recommendations of the NewtonPublic Schools Technology Advisory Committee (see Current Status section), serve asthe foundation of the Tech Plan.
Each key focus area has detailed action plans for an extended first year, January 2008to June 2009. Action plans beyond “Year One” are outlined and will be modified orimplemented, once “Year One” action steps are complete.
Improving teaching and learning is at the heart of the plan. Instructional leaders andteachers are committed to incorporating technology resources to improve academicachievement. A powerful strategy to achieve this end involves common agreements of
2 • Preparing our students to thrive in a global community
best areas for technology integration by grade level and/or subject area and thenchanneling our resources to these designated areas. Best practices for technologyintegration will be shared among staff and disseminated throughout the system toensure a baseline of professional technological competence to support the educationof each and every student. In addition, technology will be used to promote data-drivendecision making to better inform teachers about individual student strengths andweaknesses.
Just-in-time professional development will be a critical component to the success ofthe schools’ technology initiative. Teachers need the time and the support to learnhow to incorporate new tools effectively into each curriculum area and to evaluateresources that promote student achievement. Providing the necessary infrastructuregoes hand in hand with extensive and ongoing training. To accomplish this mission,Newton faculty needs access to up-to-date tools and a technology infrastructure that iswell supported and maintained.
Last, we need to embrace a collective vision of how technology serves as a foundationfor educating Newton students in the 21st century. Staff, students, and parents mustshare this vision. Realizing that technology is constantly changing, this plan is meantto be a “living document” that is shared broadly and updated annually in order toexpand the pockets of successful practice already in place. (The Sun Technology Auditgives greater detail of existing technology practices. Go to:http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/technology/TAC/news.html).
Careful planning is needed to identify and replicate current best practices at gradelevels/ disciplines throughout the district as well as adopt newer, more efficient prac-tices. Ongoing assessment and evaluation are critical to ensure that we are keeping toour vision of educating students to participate fully in a global society. Like most K-12enterprises, Newton Schools struggle with providing the funding for the infrastruc-ture, including a reasonable life-cycle plan for hardware replacement needed to do ourjobs effectively and efficiently. Keeping pace with fiscal constraints while ensuringthat Newton students will thrive in today’s knowledge-based, global society is a chal-lenge our school community is ready to face.
NPS Three-Year Technology Plan, 2011-2013 • 3
4 • Preparing our students to thrive in a global community
NPS Three-Year Technology Plan, 2011-2013 • 5
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................2
CURRENT STATUS ..............................................................7
INFRASTRUCTURE.........................................................7
STAFFING .........................................................................8
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.................................9
FUNDING........................................................................10
TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND PLANNING ..........11
KEY FINDINGS FROM THE TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY SPRING 2007 REVIEW..............................12
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SPRING 2007 REVIEW..................................................14
NEXT STEPS ..................................................................15
VISION ..................................................................................16
2008 – 2011 GOALS .............................................................17
EVALUATION PLAN ..........................................................19
OVERVIEW .....................................................................19
OVERSIGHT AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR EVALUATION................................................................19DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS STRATEGIES ............................................................... 19
CONCLUSION ..............................................................20
DETAILED ACTION PLANS .............................................21
TEACHING AND LEARNING.......................................21
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT..............................29
INFRASTRUCTURE.......................................................33
ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT............................37
APPENDIX A : CLASSROOM CONFIGURATION
APPENDIX B : TECHNOLOGY PLANNING TEAM
APPENDIX C : GLOSSARY
APPENDIX D : ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
APPENDIX E : 2009-2010 UPDATED ACTION PLANS & FUNDED REQUESTS
6 Preparing our students to thrive in a global community
APPENDIX F: 2010-2012 UPDATED ACTION PLANS & FUNDED REQUESTS
REQUEST FOR FUNDING YEAR ONE.........................40
Current Status
InfrastructureNewton has a long history of using technology for both instructional and administra-tive needs. The IT Department supports a total of 5,474 computers, 35% of which areolder than five years (count as of 11/07). The IT Department also manages a variety ofservers housed centrally at the administrative office (Ed Center) that host a wide vari-ety of management programs, such as email services, library automation, transporta-tion, budget, financial planning, and student management. Newton’s student manage-ment system (Pearson/Chancery SMS) is one of the most important and heavily usedservices in the district. It tracks most of the student and family data related to the12,500+ students in the district and improves the faculty’s effectiveness in the class-room in areas such as elementary progress reports, grading, attendance, and studentschedules.
Information Technology oversees all aspects of the wired and wireless network; fromdesign to implementation, from capacity planning to technology upgrades, from class-room and computer lab renovations to day-to-day network troubleshooting. Closelyaligned with network oversight is the district access to World Wide Web. The Internetprovides the instructional staff with an almost limitless range of learning resourcesthat can be integrated into the curriculum and easily referenced in the classroom. AllInternet web page access is routed through the Ed Center where the content isscreened and filtered for inappropriate web sites.
The district has made measured progress by improving the infrastructure andteacher/student access to technology tools. Every school building is connected withRCN fiber back to the Ed Center with a 100 megabit backbone using consistent Ciscoswitching. The four middle and two high schools were upgraded to 1 gigabit in Spring2007 with dynamic VLAN (virtual local area network) technology to isolate studentfrom faculty network traffic. With the growing use of laptop technology and theincreased demand for wireless access, the Department is providing a comprehensiveapproach to building a wireless infrastructure. This approach began at the middleschool level to support the Breaking Ranks in the Middle (BRIM) initiative. The com-plete installation of wireless access using Cisco managed access points for the fourmiddle schools was completed in fall 2007. Additional installations are planned for theelementary level during the 2007-2008 school year.
Instructional technology use has been fostered by the K-12 teacher laptop and technol-ogy-infused elementary classrooms initiatives. Every classroom teacher and mostclassroom specialists are provided with a teacher wireless laptop. With the readyaccess of mobile computing, teachers are able to access tools that increase their pro-ductivity in accomplishing daily administrative tasks and in developing curriculummaterials.
Elementary classroom teachers developed technology-rich classrooms through the useof Newton Schools Foundation grant funding. The Shaping Innovative Learning
NPS Three-Year Technology Plan, 2011-2013 • 7
Communities (SILC) and Exemplars for Creating Integrated Technology Experiences(ExCITE) model outfitted classrooms with mobile wireless laptop carts for student use.These pilot programs have given students the opportunity to use technology toolsdirectly in the classroom as needed, rather than during a pre-scheduled session.Students have “hands-on” opportunities to seamlessly use the various technologicalresources (applications, online research, Web applets, and scientific probes) intro-duced by the teacher. SILC and ExCITE teachers, along with many other creative andinnovative teachers at every elementary school, have built the foundation needed tobegin the process of expanding technology best practices at every grade level.
At the middle school level, library teachers and instructional technology specialistshave been collaborating with regular classroom teachers to identify and agree uponprojects at each grade and subject area that infuse technology in meaningful ways.These projects incorporate key instructional technology benchmarks and informationliteracy competencies. This mapping guarantees that each student has the opportuni-ty to learn using technology in a consistent pattern.
At the two high schools, a similar mapping process will be piloted during the 2007-08school year. Teachers at both high schools are working with library teachers and theinstructional technology specialist to identify specific curricular areas where technol-ogy will make the greatest impact on student learning. In each discipline there arepockets of exemplary technology integration. The challenge will be to disseminateand replicate these practices so that every student has equal opportunity to use tech-nology to deepen understanding.
The implementation of the web-based automation system (Destiny by Follett) for alltwenty-one libraries is improving how teachers and students use the library. This newonline access to the book collection and other resources helps to strengthen and buildupon the library-classroom connection within the district. The next step will be tomake these resources available to students and parents from home.
StaffingSmall incremental increases in staffing these past two years have provided support forstudents and staff in both curricular and technical areas. Instructional technologyspecialists (ITS) and library teachers partner with classroom teachers to develop tech-nology-enhanced lessons that support agreed-upon curricular units and deepen stu-dent understanding. Library teachers instruct students in the research and informa-tion literacy process as well as foster an appreciation and love of literature. The tech-nical computing staff is in the field managing our wide and local area network for 21schools and the Ed Center. Newton is working toward matching the Department ofEducation staffing ratios. As of September 2007, each ITS supports 136 teachers (stateratio is 1 FTE per 60-120 teachers), and each technician supports 385 computers (stateratio is 1 FTE per 200 computers) district-wide. (see Appendix D for IT Departmentorganization chart)
8 • Preparing our students to thrive in a global community
Professional DevelopmentThrough a combination of operating budget, state grants (Title V and IID), andNewton Schools Foundation grants, funds have provided key professional developmentworkshops to promote the adoption of instructional and administrative uses of tech-nology. Professional development has focused on training for effective use of theteacher laptops and creating technology-infused lessons that support the curriculum.Teachers participated in workshops led by the ITS to learn how to use the new operat-ing system and programs installed on the teacher laptops. Some teachers extendedthis learning by participating in the summer four-day workshops (“Windows” or“iCamp”) to develop lessons to support their curriculum units.
Beginning at the middle school level, the instructional technology specialists areusing a course management system (Moodle) to develop online courses to complementface-to-face technology training and development. These online courses will extend tospecific content area instruction as well.
Two projects using Robotics technology are being piloted at the elementary and mid-dle school level. Students in a fourth grade classroom at Mason-Rice have been work-ing in small teams using LEGO MINDSTORMS kits to develop projects using comput-er programming and problem-solving skills. At Bigelow Middle School, students par-ticipate in an after-school Robolab Club creating robotics projects that teach studentspre-engineering concepts.(http://www2.edc.org/itestlrc/projects/comprehensive/robotics_ma.asp)
Secondary teachers are involved in several other new technology programs. Middleschool teachers are using video streaming resources to support differentiated, stan-dards-based learning in all middle school classrooms. Video streaming refers to theprocess of viewing video over the Internet. Teachers (and students) have access toover 50,000 video segments and 5,000 full-length educational videos created byDiscovery School and other award-winning producers.
A group of middle school seventh grade science teachers are piloting the River Cityproject, a Multi-User Virtual Environment (MUVE) for learning scientific inquiry and21st century skills. River City is an interactive computer simulation for studentslearning about disease transmission and scientific methods. (http://muve.gse.har-vard.edu/rivercityproject/)
A small number of secondary math and science teachers are participating in theDepartment of Education and Metro South/West Regional Employment Board pro-gram, Leadership Initiatives for Teaching and Technology (LIFT2). This initiativeoffers middle school and high school science, technology, engineering, and math teach-ers (STEM) a professional education experience that integrates relevant, "real world"externships in innovative, high-tech industries with graduate course work at leadinguniversities. The goal is to improve the academic preparation of all students throughincreased awareness, interest, and motivation and, specifically, to increase the numberof women and minorities who pursue STEM post-secondary majors and careers.(http://www.lift2.org/)
NPS Three-Year Technology Plan, 2011-2013 • 9
At the high school level, we are partnering with the Metro South/West RegionalEmployment Board to plan for the Saturday STEM Academy for underserved studentsheld at Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA. This program will be modeledafter the MIT SEED Academy and offer METCO high school students the opportunityto learn about core math and science subjects.
Additionally, three secondary teachers from Newton and three from Cambridge PublicSchools are participating in the DOE program to offer curriculum-rich online profes-sional development to teachers. The teachers are collaborating with the EducationDevelopment Center, Inc. to develop and facilitate the online course Using Real MathData in the Mathematics Classroom to improve the instruction of statistics and dataanalysis.
FundingDuring the past five years, the budget for technology has provided for incrementalimprovements in the infrastructure, including a major upgrade of the wide-area net-work and server capacity to access and save files easily throughout the district. TheParent Teacher Organizations (PTOs) and Parent Teacher Student Organizations(PTSOs), especially at the elementary and middle level, have been instrumental inraising funds to replace aging computers. Although these funds have helped to keepour computer ratio at the recommended state level (fewer than five students per onecomputer), every school does not have the same fundraising success, thus causinginequities among schools. The limited operating funds for hardware have been neededto lease teacher laptops. The operating budget of $150,000 for purchase of new hard-ware is earmarked to finish payments for the current lease for teacher laptop comput-ers until November 2009.
Instructional and technical staffing has also been maintained in order to provide“just-in-time” support for technology use. Although elementary library teachers werereduced at the mid-sized and smaller schools during FY’06, funding during the pasttwo years was allocated to restore some of these reductions.
Since the Newton School Department and School Committee have recognized theimportance of adequate funding for technology, the FY’08 budget included technologyas one of the four priority areas. With the approved increase of $350,000, the technolo-gy initiative is making additional improvements in infrastructure and staffing. Amanaged wireless network was installed in the four middle schools and a server willbe purchased to improve the data integration from our student management system(SMS Pearson/Chancery) to other school databases.
Instructional staffing for FY’08 included the addition of 1.0 FTE library teacher dis-tributed to schools with increasing enrollments, and a new .5 FTE Universal Designtechnology specialist to lead the effort of instituting universal design for learning(UDL) strategies throughout the district. The addition of one technician at the ele-mentary level and one network assistant provides better service to resolve hardwareand network issues.
10 • Preparing our students to thrive in a global community
Technology Research and PlanningA dedicated volunteer group of Newton teachers, administrators, and parents havebeen instrumental in the development of Newton Public Schools’ Three-YearTechnology Plan. In the fall of 2006, the Newton Public Schools Department ofInformation Technology invited community members and school staff to serve on theTechnology Advisory Committee (TAC) in an effort to join the interests and values ofthe community with the expertise of school department professionals. Six subcom-mittees (Computing Models, Emerging Technologies, Funding and Partnerships,Public Relations, Technology Integration, and Universal Design for Learning) metthroughout the year to investigate findings and develop recommendations to theSchool Department for the planning and implementation of technology in the schools.Under the direction of the TAC and Department of Information Technology, SunAssociates conducted an Instructional Technology Audit of the schools in spring 2007.(Final report is posted at http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/technology/TAC/news.html.)The findings and recommendations from the Tech Audit have been used in the devel-opment of this plan. During the 2007-08 school year, the TAC will continue advisingthe NPS with the implementation of a district-wide technology plan for twenty-oneschools.
Listed below are the key findings and recommendations presented in the June 2007final reports developed by each of the six subcommittees. These findings and recom-mendations are spelled out in extensive detail and can be found posted on the TACwebsite (http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Technology/TAC/index.html).
NPS Three-Year Technology Plan, 2011-2013 • 11
Key Findings from the Technology Advisory Spring 2007 Review1. (Emerging Technologies) Our students are expected to graduate with very dif-
ferent skills from ten years ago. Twenty-first century skills—problem-solving,thinking outside the box, collecting, analyzing and synthesizing informationfrom a variety of sources, and collaborating with others from very diversebackgrounds—are essential in order to compete in the STEM (Science,Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) professions.
2. (Technology Integration, Computing Models) The majority of the faculty has theinterest and expertise to use technology in the classroom as evidenced by themany exemplary projects that have been developed from the “bottom up.” Mosttechnology best practices are developed in “pockets,” rather than consistentlyby grade level or department. Curriculum leaders have described in detail whatteachers would like to do in the future; but Newton Public Schools’ technologyinfrastructure, including up-to-date hardware, software and staffing, are notrobust enough to support systemic replication of best practices.
3. (Universal Design) Universal Design for Learning (UDL) concepts and strate-gies are not well understood by the teaching staff. NPS does not have a currentplan for providing multiple means of representation, expression or engage-ment to give learners alternate ways to acquire and synthesize information.Assistive technologies are implemented for identified students, rather thanUDL principles implemented for all children.
4. (Funding) The technology initiative has been under-funded. The last fewyears the operating budget has provided the purchase of laptops for teacherproductivity and curriculum development. The purchase of student comput-ers and replacement depends largely on PTO funds and grants. This relianceon sources outside the operating budget means inequitable distribution ofresources. The current staffing to provide technical and instructional supportis also inadequate to provide timely support to the administrative and teachingstaff. DOE standards for technical staffing are 1 FTE per 200 computers and 1FTE per 60-120 instructional staff. Newton’s current understaffing means thatIT staff spends the majority of time firefighting rather than setting up newstructures for efficiency of operation. Without adequate instructional support,best instructional practices/projects that support teaching and learning areimplemented in “pockets” rather than across grade levels and disciplines.
5. (Emerging Technologies) In the past five years, the School Department hasfocused on building a robust infrastructure and standardization of computerhardware to minimize support costs. To sustain our mixed platform environ-ment (Windows and Mac OS), we have increasing need to investigate waysemerging technologies can improve software delivery and the development anddelivery of educational content. These new tools will be especially importantto support students in the interactive and collaborative environments of the21st century.
12 • Preparing our students to thrive in a global community
6. (All) The past five years professional development has been an important com-ponent of the technology initiative. In-depth and sustained professional devel-opment will continue to be an important aspect of technology use in order todisseminate best practices of technology across grade levels and departmentsin a systematic manner.
7. (Emerging Technologies, Public Relations) Communication with parents andthe community takes place in a variety of ways that often lead to duplicationof effort. Currently there is no authoritative source where faculty, parents,and community members can find timely information about the schools, bothadministratively and instructionally.
NPS Three-Year Technology Plan, 2011-2013 • 13
Key Recommendations from the Spring 2007 Review
1. The Newton Public Schools technology program needs to support theSTEM initiative and 21st century skills. Throughout the Commonwealthand at a national level, industry leaders have implored our educators to pro-vide students with not only the skills needed to master the basic literacy skillsbut also those “portable” skills of critical thinking, making connectionsbetween ideas and knowing how to continue learning.
2. Curriculum needs must be the driving force for technology integrationto be successful. Curriculum leaders need to partner with the instructionaltechnology staff and teachers to identify where technology makes the mostimpact on teaching and learning. Technology planning and implementationneeds to be incorporated into the design of curriculum units, not as an after-thought. New and emerging technologies, such as multi-user simulations androbotics, need to be considered as part of curriculum development in order tofoster student engagement.
3. Successful projects need to be sustained and disseminated using robustcollaborative tools. Teachers have developed best practices for integratingtechnology at various grade levels. NPS needs to “bring up the floor” of theavailable computing resources by providing up-to-date hardware, software, andnecessary peripherals in order to promote widespread use of technology bestpractices. NPS needs to support and implement collaborative tools, such ascourse management systems and web portals, in order to streamline the dis-semination and replication of these innovative practices.
4. Universal design for learning strategies needs to be identified andadopted district-wide to foster flexibility in presenting and using cur-riculum materials. In order to meet the diverse learning needs of our stu-dents, curriculum leaders and teachers need to develop and implement aprocess for providing textbooks and instructional materials in digital form.
5. Funding of the technology initiative must be increased through a vari-ety of avenues (not just the school operating budget), given the demandto prepare our students with the skills needed to compete in our globalsociety and economy. Providing the resources equitably among the 21schools is essential for the technology initiative to be sustained. Additionalfunding will also be crucial for implementing a yearly replacement cycle foraging computers.
6. Adopting and incorporating emerging technologies can provide NPSwith more efficient ways to collaborate and communicate. The ever-growing sophisticated tools for curriculum design and delivery offer us greatopportunities to improve teaching and learning. Improvements and new toolsneed to be adopted incrementally, while continuing to replicate already suc-
14 • Preparing our students to thrive in a global community
cessful technology integration practices. Before adopting new technologies,we need to consider carefully the total cost of ownership, including staffingand funding.
7. Sustained professional development for administrative and teachingstaff is crucial for successful implementation of technology use. Timeduring the teaching day is one of the most challenging roadblocks to providingextensive support to learning and implementing new programs and lessons,including ways to differentiate instruction using UDL strategies. NPS facultymust be trained and supported to deliver a curriculum that is technologicallysophisticated.
8. Improved communication about technology use in the schools and howit improves teaching and learning is needed. The Newton community isnot aware of successful integration projects already implemented in theschools. Newton needs to identify and implement a unified system capable ofsharing information, not only about the technology initiative, but also aboutthe variety of initiatives throughout the school district.
Next StepsDuring the summer of 2007, a Technology Planning Committee (see Appendix B) com-posed of administrators and teachers incorporated the recommendations of the TACsubcommittee reports to develop the first draft of the Three-Year Technology Plan forNewton Public Schools. In the fall of 2007, this draft was shared with the school com-munity for feedback and modification. During the 2007-2008 school year, the TAC con-solidated into project teams in order to advise and support the implementation of thedesignated projects outlined for Year One of the long-range technology plan.
NPS Three-Year Technology Plan, 2011-2013 • 15
VisionNewton Public Schools strive to insure that all students and staff are full participantsand responsible citizens in the information age of the 21st century. Our community oflearners works in an environment that maximizes the benefits of technologicalresources and tools. Through access to a robust technology infrastructure, timelyassistance, high quality professional development, and effective leadership, Newtonteachers and students access and use information in socially responsible ways to con-struct and communicate knowledge.
16 • Preparing our students to thrive in a global community
2008 – 2011 GoalsMeeting at the end of June 2007, a committee of fourteen (14) Newton Public Schoolteachers and administrators spent three days developing strategic goals and actionsfor Newton’s 2008 – 2011 Technology Plan. This work was informed by the TechnologyAdvisory Committee (TAC) subcommittee reports presented above (Current Status) aswell as by three days of planning facilitation from an outside consultant. The result ofthis work is the set of strategic goals presented below.
These goals are organized into the Key Areas listed in the Massachusetts STaR chart.(STaR chart can be found at http://www.doe.mass.edu/boe/sac/edtech/star.html.) Theaction items and the progress indicators associated with each goal are detailed in thefollowing pages. While we anticipate that our action steps will change from year toyear in response to our annual evaluation (see Evaluation Plan), we expect that ourgoals and progress indicators will remain consistent over the three-year life of thisplan and will therefore guide the instructional technology strategy for Newton PublicSchools over the near-term future.
Teaching and LearningTL 1: Newton Public School teachers will integrate technology to enhance themodeling, demonstration, and exploration of key concepts into appropriate con-tent areas to engage students and deepen their learning experience. (STaR A, B, D)
TL 2: Newton Public School students will use technology in socially responsibleways to enhance productivity, communication, research, and collaboration and todemonstrate their understanding of curriculum concepts. (STaR C, D, E)
TL 3: Faculty will use technology to collect and analyze K-12 student data to differ-entiate and inform instruction. (STaR B)
TL 4: Faculty will use technology as a tool to enhance communication throughoutthe school and parent community. (STaR A)
Professional DevelopmentPD 1: The district will provide accessible professional development for teachers inthe use of technology to support 21st century student learning. (STaR F,G, H, I, J)
PD 2: The district will provide specialized technology-based professional develop-ment to learn subject area content. (STaR T)
InfrastructureIT 1: NPS will provide the hardware, software, peripherals, supplies, maintenanceand staffing to support equitably ongoing instructional and administrative needs.(STaR: Q, R, V)
IT 2: The district will provide robust connectivity and secure server access inevery classroom and workspace. (STaR S, T, U)
NPS Three-Year Technology Plan, 2011-2013 • 17
Administration and SupportSS 1: The district will promote a vision for technology that is focused on learningand achievement for all students and is representative of and supported by faculty,administrators, Superintendent, and School Committee. (STaR: L)
SS 2: The district will adopt leading practices to provide yearly funding sufficientto support the full and equitable implementation of the district-wide Three-YearTechnology Plan. The district will work to develop new sources of funding fortechnology-related initiatives and overall education. (STaR: M, N, O, P)
18 • Preparing our students to thrive in a global community
Evaluation Plan
OverviewEffective, formative evaluation is critical to the successful management of Newton’sInstructional Technology Program. While each of our plan’s Action Steps has a stateddesired outcome, simply reaching these outcomes will not ensure that we have beensuccessful in fully achieving the impact of our goals and hence our overall vision. Tomonitor this impact, we intend to measure our progress toward achieving our evalua-tion indicators for each goal. These indicators – like the goals they describe – overar-ch the individual action steps. These indicators describe in detailed word-pictureswhat it will essentially “look like” when the district has achieved each related goal.
It is not anticipated that the district will fully attain these indicators in one year, butrather that progress will be made toward reaching the full measure of the indicatorseach year. The point of the district’s technology evaluation plan will be to monitorthis progress through data collection and formative analysis of the resulting dataagainst the performance indicators. This review will in turn drive the creation ofupdated annual action plans for the district’s Instructional Technology Plan.
Oversight and Responsibility for EvaluationJust as it is the responsibility of the entire Newton Public Schools community toimplement the district’s Three-Year Technology Plan, it is also the responsibility ofthe entire community to monitor and evaluate the progress of implementing the plan.Evaluation will be overseen by the district’s Technology Steering Committee. ThisCommittee will be responsible for initiating an annual review of evaluation data andwill direct data collection efforts. Data will be collected at the building level inresponse to how goals have been implemented in each building. This data will then beaggregated to the district level and analyzed against the District InstructionalTechnology Plan performance indicators for assessment of how the district overall ismeeting its goals.
Data Collection and Analysis StrategiesSince formative evaluation is essential to our plan, we will collect data throughout theyear using multiple approaches. Data collection strategies will be varied and will col-lect qualitative as well as quantitative data. Strategies will include district-wide sur-veys of teachers, parents, administrators, and students; focus groups (teachers, par-ents, various administrator groups); interviews; and classroom observations. Thedevelopment and administration of these tools will be part of the ongoing work of theTechnology Steering Committee and various consultants, volunteers, and NewtonPublic Schools staff brought into the work over time.
NPS Three-Year Technology Plan, 2011-2013 • 19
Data collection will be driven by the evaluation indicators. As this plan gets under-way, the Committee will oversee the work of further developing the 11 indicators intomore-detailed benchmarked rubrics. These rubrics – organized as a set of perform-ance milestones – will drive the actual questions that we need to incorporate into ourdata collection tools. Then, as data is collected, we will formatively analyze our dataagainst the indicator rubrics so as to determine the degree to which our progressmeets our desired outcomes. This examination – both formative throughout the yearand summative via an annual report – will drive the creation of new annual actionplans for this plan.
ConclusionWhile this will be intensive work, it effectively models the types of authentic assess-ments that we routinely expect of our teachers as they engage students in the tasks oflearning and knowledge creation. Similarly, we expect that detailed, authentic descrip-tions of program performance will be effective drivers for building a broad-basedunderstanding of what we want to accomplish in our instructional technology plan.
20 • Preparing our students to thrive in a global community
Detailed Action Plans
Teaching and LearningTL 1: Newton Public School teachers will integrate technology to enhance themodeling, demonstration, and exploration of key concepts into appropriate con-tent areas to engage students and deepen their learning experience.
Evaluation Indicator for TL 1:Newton Public School teachers at all levels and in all content areas regularly integratetechnology within their instruction. Teachers have easy access to and readily use les-son plans and curriculum maps which are widely disseminated through the NewtonPublic Schools’ Instructional Technology website(http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Technology/it/index02.html). These materials arecontinuously reviewed and updated by curriculum coordinators, department chairs,and teachers.
Teachers use technology to model, demonstrate, explore, and illuminate concepts andhave a clear understanding of when to apply appropriate technology tools in any giveninstructional setting or content area. Teachers use technology to create and support astudent-centered learning environment. Technology is used to differentiate instruc-tion to meet the needs of all learners so they meet curriculum standards. New displaytechnologies, such as interactive whiteboards or portable graphics tablets, are used topresent information in dynamic and flexible formats to meet the multiple learningstyles of all students.
NPS Three-Year Technology Plan, 2011-2013 • 21
22 • Preparing our students to thrive in a global community
TL 2: Newton Public School students will use technology in socially responsibleways to enhance productivity, communication, research, and collaboration and todemonstrate their understanding of curriculum concepts.
Evaluation Indicator for TL2:Students regularly employ a wide range of new and emerging technologies to supportcollaborative learning mapped to curriculum content standards. They have access toand are able to select appropriate technology tools to access, analyze, and communi-cate information. All students demonstrate media literacy, and technology tools andresources are used in an ethical and socially responsible manner appropriate to theirgrade level. Across the district all students consistently exhibit, through assessments,the grade level skills and concepts indicated in the Newton Public Schools Library:Information Literacy and Technology Benchmarks, K-12 and the expandedInstructional Technology Benchmarks K-12. Students demonstrate their understand-ing of technology and its curricular value through their ability to use technology tofind and contribute relevant content into lesson plans.
NPS Three-Year Technology Plan, 2011-2013 • 23
24 • Preparing our students to thrive in a global community
NPS Three-Year Technology Plan, 2011-2013 • 25
TL 3: Faculty will use technology to collect and analyze K-12 student data to differ-entiate and inform instruction.
Evaluation Indicator for TL3:All Newton Public School teachers and administrators access and contribute to longi-tudinal data on individual students in order to provide insight on student academicstrengths and weaknesses. This database is secure, current, and includes data on stu-dent performance, learning plans, and other pertinent information. Teachers use thisdata to meet the instructional and learning needs of all students.
26 • Preparing our students to thrive in a global community
TL 4: Faculty will use technology as a tool to enhance communication throughoutthe school and parent community.
Evaluation Indicator for TL4:Newton Public School teachers and administrators utilize a variety of technologies tocommunicate efficiently and support the connection between home and school inaccordance with the Newton Public Schools email and Internet Acceptable UsePolicies (AUP). The district and school websites and other electronic communicationvehicles allow parents access to up-to-date information on district, classroom, andschool activities. Teachers in all buildings use web-based resources to extend thelearning environment beyond the physical walls of the classroom, enabling studentsto access resources, materials, and other information that relate to learning activities.Parents, teachers, and administrators share a common set of expectations around theadequacy and frequency of electronic communications.
NPS Three-Year Technology Plan, 2011-2013 • 27
28 • Preparing our students to thrive in a global community
Professional Development
PD 1: The district will provide accessible professional development for teachers inthe use of technology to support 21st century student learning.
Evaluation Indicator for PD 1:A culture of inquiry, sharing of best practices, and knowledge-building existsthroughout the district for the instructional use and integration of technology. Stafftraining is adequately funded and is available “just in time” through a variety ofdelivery systems focusing on modeling, mentoring, and other principles of high quali-ty professional development. Decisions related to offerings are data-driven and reflectevolving teacher needs. Technology professional development provides teachers andadministrators with the skills, confidence, UDL principles, and inspiration to support21st century student learning aligned with curriculum standards and technologybenchmarks.
NPS Three-Year Technology Plan, 2011-2013 • 29
PD 2: The district will provide specialized technology-based professional development to learn subject area content.
Evaluation Indicator for PD 2:The Newton Public Schools support teachers as they keep current in all subject areasand model life- long learning. Faculty use a variety of technologies – such as onlinecourses, online textbooks, multi-user simulations, and instructional DVDs – to partici-pate in training in subject area content to build and enhance the skills and curricu-lum-related knowledge needed by teachers at all levels.
30 • Preparing our students to thrive in a global community
NPS Three-Year Technology Plan, 2011-2013 • 31
32 • Preparing our students to thrive in a global community
InfrastructureIT 1: NPS will provide the hardware, software, peripherals, supplies, maintenance and staffing to support equitably ongoing instructional and administrative needs.
Evaluation Indicator for IT 1:Faculty has up-to-date computers, software, peripherals and adequate supplies toinstruct students effectively and fulfill administrative duties efficiently. Students haveaccess to computing resources in order to complete classroom assignments and devel-op the skills needed to compete in a global society. IT resources and services are dis-tributed in a manner that maintains equity among all the schools in the district.Newton Public Schools meets all of the Department of Education recommended LocalTechnology Planning guidelines for appropriate levels of hardware, software, andstaffing. The agreed-upon standards for hardware at each level (elementary, middle,and high) will be funded and maintained. (See Appendix A for working draft.)
NPS Three-Year Technology Plan, 2011-2013 • 33
34 • Preparing our students to thrive in a global community
NPS Three-Year Technology Plan, 2011-2013 • 35
IT 2: The district will provide robust connectivity and secure server access in every classroom and workspace.
Evaluation Indicator for IT 2:Students and faculty access and save documents and other related resources from anyschool location in a wired or wireless environment. Faculty is able to access docu-ments both within and outside of NPS.
36 • Preparing our students to thrive in a global community
Administration and SupportSS 1: The district will promote a vision for technology that is focused on learning and achievement for all students and is representative of and supported by faculty, administrators, Superintendent, and School Committee.
Evaluation Indicator for SS 1:Activities in all Newton classrooms reflect the shared vision for technology-embeddedinstruction in the service of improving student success. All schools have a technologyteam that assesses the progress of current technology use, identifies additional needsor areas of improvement, and reports its updated vision to the district Department ofInformation Technology. These reports along with the subcommittee work of theTechnology Advisory Committee (TAC) form the basis for the development of the NPSThree-Year Technology Plan.
Newton’s Technology Plan exists as a dynamic document, revised annually, with newactions and objectives set according to the recommendations of the formative evaluationprocess. This annual plan is communicated to the entire school and parent community.
NPS Three-Year Technology Plan, 2011-2013 • 37
SS 2: The district will adopt leading practices to provide yearly funding sufficient to support the full and equitable implementation of the district-wide Three-Year Technology Plan. The district will work to develop new sources of funding fortechnology-related initiatives and overall education.
Evaluation Indicator for SS 2:The Newton Public Schools Information Technology budget leverages a number offunding sources to support the full and equitable implementation of the TechnologyPlan. Aside from securing district funds adequate to fill basic needs, the districtworks closely with the Technology Advisory Committee to identify funding sources toaugment district funding. The district has adopted standard IT practices, such asportfolio management, as a way to insure that technology needs have been viewed andbudgeted in a broad and comprehensive manner.
38 • Preparing our students to thrive in a global community
NPS Three-Year Technology Plan, 2011-2013 • 39
Request for Funds, Year One (FY ’09)
40 • Preparing our students to thrive in a global community
NPS Three-Year Technology Plan, 2011-2013 • 41
42 • Preparing our students to thrive in a global community
*Teacher laptops provided to:Elementary--all classroom teachers, physical education, music, artMiddle--all classroom teachers, physical education, music, art, World Languages, ELLHigh--all classroom teachers and specialists
Appendix ADRAFT of standard configurations forclassrooms/school (by level), 12/07
Elementary Laptop for all classroom teachers,music, art, physical education, ELL,Learning Center teachers*1 up-to-date desktop computer and 4 lap-tops per classroom1 mobile cart of 18 wireless laptops per4 classrooms w/minimum of OS 10.31 LCD projector w/speakers on a cartper classroom**Software consistency and online sub-scriptions for each grade levelLibrary: • 13 student computers
(laptop or desktop)• 1 teacher laptop• 1 color laser printer• 1 projection unit• 1 digital camera4 digital cameras per school2 digital video cameras per school
* Other faculty (such as literacy spe-cialist, special education teachers,social workers, psychologist, and inclu-sion facilitators) would benefit from lap-top use if budget permits.
** Mounting of projectors should beconsidered if budget permits.
Middle SchoolLaptop for all classroom teachers, music,art, physical education, World Language,ELL, Learning Center teachers1 LCD projector w/speakers on a cartper classroom1 mobile cart of 15 laptops per teamwith printer
1 mobile cart of 30 laptops for WorldLanguageStationary labs: • 2 All Purpose Labs• Technology and Engineering LabLibrary floor:• Wireless computing capability for
students and teachers • 1 color laser printer• 27 desktop computers
(or combination desktop/laptop)• 1 durable, high-volume laser printer• TV with DVD/VCR player• 1 digital camera• 1 projection unit Library processing and administration:• 1 laptop computer for library teacher • 2 desktop computers for processing
and circulation• 1 color laser printer for library
publicationsSoftware consistency on all computersfor each grade level/discipline4 digital cameras per school3 digital video cameras per school
High School Laptop for all classroom teachers andspecialists1 mobile cart* (with power strip) of 20wireless laptops with printer per depart-ment (some dept have 2)1 LCD projector w/speakers per class-room (mounted at South, on cart forNorth) with VCR/DVD with tunerSoftware consistency on all computersfor each disciplineStationary labs: • World Language Lab• PC Business Lab• Mac Business Lab• CAD Lab• Graphic Design Lab• Visual Design Lab
NPS Three-Year Technology Plan, 2011-2013 • 43
• Math Lab• General classroom Lab (x2)Library classrooms (2):• 20 student use computers (either
laptops or desktops)• 1 teacher/presenter computer
(laptop preferable)• 1 mounted LCD projector w/speakers
and VCR/DVD tuner• 1 DVD/VCR player• 1 digital camera• 1 digital video camera• 1 electronic whiteboardLibrary floor/study rooms:• Wireless computing capability for
students and teachers• 40 desktop computers• 4 durable, high-volume laser printers
• TV with DVD/VCR playerLibrary processing and administration:• 3 desktop computers for librarians • 2 desktop computers for processing
and circulation• 1 desktop for monitoring Internet use• 1 desktop computer for multimedia
creation (iMovie, flash movies, podcasting, advanced web design, etc.)
• 1 laser printer• 1 color printer for library publications5 digital cameras per school5 digital video cameras per school1 MP3 digital recorder
*Carts come with lock, extension cord,and long ethernet cables as needed.
44 • Preparing our students to thrive in a global community
Newton Public Schools Instructional Technology Plan (2008-2011) 1
Appendix A - Revised for Year 2 (2009-2010) Standard Technology Configurations by Level Elementary
• Laptop for all classroom teachers, music, art, physical education, instructional technology, library, ELL, and learning center teachers*
• 1 up-to-date desktop computer and 5 laptops per classroom • 1 mobile cart of 18 wireless laptops per 4 classrooms w/minimum of OS 10.4 or
above • Suite of interactive tools (interactive board with LCD projector and software,
teacher tablet, and student response systems) for every classroom and large instructional space
• Software consistency and online subscriptions for each grade level • 4 digital cameras per school • 2 digital video cameras per school • Library: • 15 student computers w/minimum of OS 10.4 or above (laptop or desktop)
• 1 desktop for processing and circulation • 1 teacher laptop • 1 durable, high-volume laser printer • 1 color laser printer • 1 projection unit • 1 digital camera
Middle School
• Laptop for all classroom teachers, music, art, physical education, instructional technology, library, World Language, ELL, and learning center teachers*
• Suite of interactive tools (interactive board with LCD projector and software, teacher tablet, and student response systems) for every classroom and large instructional space
• 1 mobile cart of 15 laptops per team with printer • 1 mobile cart of 30 laptops for World Language • Software consistency on all computers for each grade level/discipline • 4 digital cameras per school • 3 digital video cameras per school • Stationary labs:
• 2 Multimedia Labs • Technology and Engineering Lab
• Library: • 1 durable, high-volume printer • 1 color laser printer • 1 desktop for processing and circulation • 27 student desktop computers (or combination desktop/laptop) • 2 desktop computers for processing and circulation • TV with DVD/VCR player • 1 digital camera
*Other faculty (such as literacy specialist, special education teachers, social workers, psychologist, and inclusion facilitators) would benefit from laptop use as budget permits. High School
• Laptop for all classroom teachers and specialists
Newton Public Schools Instructional Technology Plan (2011-2013) 2
• 1 mobile cart (with power strip) of 20 wireless laptops with printer per department (some dept have 2)
• Suite of interactive tools (interactive board with LCD projector and software, teacher tablet, and student response systems) for every classroom and large instructional space
• Software consistency on all computers for each discipline • 5 digital cameras per school • 5 digital video cameras per school • Stationary labs:
• World Language Lab • PC Business Lab • Mac Business Lab • CAD Lab • Graphic Design Lab • Visual Design Lab • Math Lab • Music Lab • General classroom Lab (x2)
• Library classrooms (2): • 20 student use computers (either laptops or desktops) • 1 teacher/presenter computer (laptop preferable) • 1 DVD/VCR player • 1 digital camera • 1 digital video camera
• Library floor/study rooms: • 40 desktop computers • 4 durable, high-volume laser printers • TV with DVD/VCR player
• Library processing and administration: • 3 desktop computers for librarians • 2 desktop computers for processing and circulation • 1 desktop for monitoring Internet use • 1 desktop computer for multimedia creation (iMovie, flash movies, podcasting,
advanced web design, etc.) • 1 laser printer • 1 color printer for library publications
Optional: Document camera (ELMO) for classrooms at all levels
Newton Public Schools Instructional Technology Plan (2011-2013)
Appendix A- Revised for Year 3 (2010-2011) Standard Technology Configurations by Level Elementary
• Laptop for all classroom teachers, music, art, physical education, instructional technology, library, ELL, and learning center teachers*
• 1 up-to-date desktop computer per classroom • 5 laptops per classroom in grades 3-5 • 1 mobile cart of 18 wireless laptops per 4 classrooms w/minimum of OS 10.4 • Suite of interactive tools (interactive board with LCD projector and software,
teacher tablet, and student response systems) for every classroom and large instructional space
• Software consistency and online subscriptions for each grade level • 4 digital cameras per school • 2 digital video cameras per school • Library:
• 15 student computers w/minimum of OS 10.4 (laptop or desktop) • 1 desktop for processing and circulation • 1 teacher laptop • 1 document camera • 1 durable, high-volume laser printer • 1 color laser printer • 1 interactive board with short-throw projector • 1 digital camera
Middle School
• Laptop for all classroom teachers, music, art, physical education, instructional technology, library, World Language, ELL, and learning center teachers*
• Suite of interactive tools (interactive board with LCD projector and software, teacher tablet, and student response systems) for every classroom and large instructional space
• 1 mobile cart of 15 laptops per team with printer • 1 mobile cart of 30 laptops for World Language • Software consistency on all computers for each grade level/discipline • 4 digital cameras per school • 3 digital video cameras per school • Stationary labs:
• 2 Multimedia Labs • Technology and Engineering Lab
• Library: • 1 durable, high-volume printer • 1 color laser printer • 1 desktop for processing and circulation • 1 document camera • 27 student desktop computers (or combination desktop/laptop) • 1 interactive board with short-throw projector • TV with DVD/VCR player • 1 digital camera
*Other faculty (such as literacy specialist, special education teachers, social workers, psychologist, and inclusion facilitators) would benefit from laptop use as budget permits.
Newton Public Schools Instructional Technology Plan (2011-2013)
High School • Laptop for all classroom teachers and specialists • 1 mobile cart of 20 wireless laptops with printer per department (larger
departments have 2) • Suite of interactive tools (interactive board with LCD projector and software,
teacher tablet, and student response systems) for every classroom and large instructional space
• Software consistency on all computers for each discipline • 5 digital cameras per school • 5 digital video cameras per school • Stationary labs:
• World Language Lab • PC Business Lab • Mac Business Lab • CAD Lab • Graphic Design Lab • Visual Design Lab • Math Lab • Music Lab • General classroom Lab (x2)
• Library classrooms (2): • 20 student use computers (either laptops or desktops) • 1 teacher/presenter computer (laptop preferable) • 1 interactive board with short-throw projector for each library classroom • 1 document camera for each classroom • 1 DVD/VCR player • 1 digital camera • 1 digital video camera
• Library floor/study rooms: • 40 desktop computers • 4 durable, high-volume laser printers • TV with DVD/VCR player
• Library processing and administration: • 3 desktop computers for librarians • 2 desktop computers for processing and circulation • 1 desktop for monitoring Internet use • 1 desktop computer for multimedia creation (iMovie, flash movies, podcasting,
advanced web design, etc.) • 1 laser printer • 1 color printer for library publications
Optional: Document camera (ELMO) for classrooms at all levels
Appendix B
Members of Technology PlanningTeam Format and first draft of Tech Plan,June 2007
ElementaryPamela Appleton Principal, Angier Elementary
Stephen GriffinPrincipal, Zervas Elementary
Stephen Kanode Grade 3, Franklin Elementary
Eileen KeaneGrade 1, Franklin Elementary
MiddleDiane MontvilleLibrary Teacher, Bigelow Middle
Steve FordSocial Studies Teacher, Day Middle
Monica CrowleySocial Studies Teacher, Day Middle
HighSteven RattendiMath Department Head, Newton South
Annette TateDepartment Head, Library, NewtonNorth
Amy WinstonScience Department Head, NewtonNorth
DistrictShelley ChamberlainDirector of Information Technology
Bob RainvilleManager of Information Systems
Steve SilvermanCoordinator of InstructionalTechnology, K-12
Chris SwerlingCoordinator of Libraries, K-12
NPS Three-Year Technology Plan, 2011-2013 • 45
Special thanks to Sun Associates (http://www.sun-associates.com) for leading theTechnology Planning Workshop in June 2007 and to the Newton Public Schoolsfaculty/community for the valuable feedback and suggestions to improve this workingdocument.
Appendix C
Glossary of TermsApplets - A program written in the Java[tm] programming language that can beincluded in an HTML page, much in the same way an image is included.http://java.sun.com/applets/
Blog - A web site with entries written in chronological order and commonly displayedin reverse chronological order. Though some authors argue that the word is not a com-bination of the words web and log, the terms blog, weblog, and web log are often usedinterchangeably. Blog can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add contentto a blog. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog
BRIM - The Breaking Ranks II™ (BRII) and Breaking Ranks in the Middle™ (BRIM)processes employ comprehensive, research based strategies that emphasize coachingand on-going professional development to improve teaching and learning in individualschools and classrooms. They incorporate a series of services that address the school'scomprehensive level of readiness to implement Breaking Ranks II and BreakingRanks in the Middle. Both Breaking Ranks processes focus on a three-tiered approachto carrying out school reform. Activities, programs, and processes fall under the threecore areas of Breaking Ranks: Collaborative Leadership and Professional LearningCommunities, Personalizing the School Environment, and Making Learning Personalthrough Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment.http://www.cssr.us/BR%20processes.htm
Course Management System (CMS) - Also known as a virtual learning environment(VLE), is a software system designed to help teachers by facilitating the managementof educational courses for their students, especially by helping teachers and learnerswith course administration. The system can often track the learners' progress, whichcan be monitored by both teachers and learners. While frequently thought of as pri-marily tools for distance education, they are most often used to supplement the face-to-face classroom.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_learning_environment
Data Warehousing - A data warehouse is "a copy of transaction data specificallystructured for query and analysis." (Definition by Ralph Kimball) http://www.intranetjournal.com/features/datawarehousing.html
The Massachusetts Department of Education, for example, is hosting “a pilot projectintended to explore the feasibility of offering a single, statewide data warehousing andreporting system to the Commonwealth's public districts and schools. Its long-term goalis to provide every district and school with the ability to query and analyze their organi-zation's state-maintained data (SIMS, MCAS, MEPA, and eventually Educator data) easi-ly, and to provide districts with the option to load and analyze their own data.”http://www.doe.mass.edu/infoservices/dw/
46 • Preparing our students to thrive in a global community
LIFT2 - Leadership Initiatives for Teaching and Technology is an innovative profes-sional learning program for middle and high school science, technology, engineeringand math (STEM) teachers. It is designed to help experienced and developing teachersrelate classroom curriculum to authentic and relevant applications in the 21st centuryworkplace. The program is based on a unique combination of graduate coursework,company sponsored externships in industry, the cornerstone of the program, andmembership in an active community of learners.http://www.lift2.org/
MINDSTORMS – A line of LEGO sets combining programmable bricks with electricmotors, sensors, LEGO bricks, and LEGO Technic pieces (such as gears, axles, beams,and pneumatic parts) to build robots and other automated or interactive systems.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lego_Mindstorms
Moodle - A course management system (CMS) that is a free Open Source softwarepackage designed using sound pedagogical principles, to help educators create effec-tive online learning communities.http://moodle.org/
MUVE - MUVE stands for multi-user virtual environment and refers to online, multi-user virtual environments, sometimes called virtual worlds.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MUVE
Podcast - A digital media file, or a related collection of such files, which is distributedover the Internet using syndication feeds for playback on portable media players andpersonal computers. The term, like "radio," can refer either to the content itself or tothe method by which it is syndicated; the latter is also termed “podcasting.”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcasting
ROBOLAB™ Software - Provides basic, intermediate, and advanced programmingtechniques including data logging for using the RCX controller in the LEGO MIND-STORMS kit. The program is icon-based language, which means that youngsters canvisualize the instructions they are stringing together for their robot.http://www.lego.com/eng/education/mindstorms/home.asp?pagename=robolab
Software-as-a-Service -A software application delivery model where a software vendordevelops a web-native software application and hosts and operates (either independ-ently or through a third-party) the application for use by its customers over theInternet. Customers do not pay for owning the software itself but rather for using it.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_as_a_Service
STaR Chart - The Massachusetts School Technology and Readiness Chart providesguidance to technology planning by offering a common set of goals. The chart has keyareas that include focus areas and levels of progress.http://www.doe.mass.edu/edtech/planning.html
NPS Three-Year Technology Plan, 2011-2013 • 47
STEM Initiative - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) are thefour disciplines, referred to in the STEM Pipeline. The challenge remains that cur-rently, and in the foreseeable future, Massachusetts is not graduating enough studentsto fill the open STEM workforce positions. In order to meet this challenge thePipeline’s purpose is to:
• increase the number of Massachusetts students who participate in programs thatsupport careers in fields related to mathematics, science, technology, and engineer-ing;
• increase the number of qualified mathematics, technology, engineering, and scienceteachers in the Commonwealth; and
• improve the mathematics, technology, engineering, and science educational offer-ings available in public and private schools.http://www.massachusetts.edu/stem/programs.html
Universal Design for Learning - Provides a blueprint for creating flexible goals,methods, materials, and assessments that accommodate learner differences. UDL prin-ciples help educators customize their teaching for individual differences. A universal-ly designed curriculum offers the following:
• multiple means of representation to give learners various ways of acquiring infor-mation and knowledge
• multiple means of expression to provide learners alternatives for demonstratingwhat they know, and
• multiple means of engagement to tap into learners' interests, challenge them appro-priately, and motivate them to learn.http://www.cast.org/research/udl/index.html
Web 2.0 - A perceived second generation of web-based communities and hosted servic-es — such as social-networking sites, wikis and folksonomies — which aim to facilitatesharing between users. The term became popular following the first O'Reilly MediaWeb 2.0 conference in 2004.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2
Wiki - Computer software that allows users to create, edit, and link web pages easily.Wikis are often used to create collaborative web sites and power community web sites.They are increasingly being installed by businesses to provide affordable and effectiveIntranets or for use in Knowledge Management. Ward Cunningham, developer of thefirst wiki, WikiWikiWeb, originally described it as "the simplest online database thatcould possibly work." One of the best-known wikis is Wikipedia.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki
48 • Preparing our students to thrive in a global community
Appendix D
Information Technology Organization Chart
NPS Three-Year Technology Plan, 2011-2013 • 49
Shelley ChamberlainDirector of
Information Technology1.0 Non-A
Robert RainvilleManager of
Information Systems 1.0 Non-A
Administrative Technology Help/Support
Nancy CoxallHelp Desk Specialist 1.0 NESA
Chris MillsTechnology Support Specialist 1.0 NTA
John McLaughlinTechnology Support Specialist 1.0 NTA
Marcia FinneganTechnology Support Specialist 1.0 NTA
Sam MayanjaNetwork Specialist 1.0 NTA
Joe LaMarcaNetwork Specialist 1.0 NTA
Jack PolnarData Management Specialist 1.0 NTA
John SaiaNetwork Support Specialist 1.0 NTA
Tony SbordoneBusiness Information Specialist 1.0 NTA
Brian McCarthyAdministrative Information Specialist 1.0 NTA
Kevin DolanInformation Support Specialist 1.0 NTA
Greg Poulas/South HighStudent Information Specialist 1.0 NTA
Phil Golando/North HighStudent Information Specialist 1.0 NTA
Chris SwerlingCoordinator of
Library/Media Services .6 NTA
22.3 Librarians (K-12) NTA
Marc RichmondWeb Facilitator
1.0 NTA
Middle School Technical Assistants
3.04 NTAHigh School
Computer Aide-N/S .8 NTA
Susan LuchetteExecutive Assistant
1.0 NESA
Instructional Technology Specialists
Steve SilvermanCoordinator of IT 1.0 NTA
Diana FreedmanBrenda Doucette
Lauren DietzMary Manning Trish KelleherAnn Ritchie
4.8 NTA
Middle School IT Specialists Missy CostelloRobyn EatonRosa SterkTim Teelin4.0 NTA
High School IT Specialists
Eileen KestenbaumChris Murphy
2.0 NTA
Information Technology Organization Chart, 2009- 2010 Appendix D Revised
Newton Public Schools
Library Teachers (K-12)
23.1
Administrative Technology Group
Data Base Management
Kevin Dolan 1.0
Bobbi Gerlits 1.0 Brian McCarthy 1.0
Jack Polnar 1.0
Tony Sbordone 1.0
Network & Server Operations
Joe LaMarca 1.0
Sam Mayanja 1.0 John Saia 1.0
Tech Assist Help Desk
Nancy Coxall 1.0 Marcia Finnegan 1.0
Susan Lum .514
John McLaughlin 1.0 Chris Mills 1.0
High School Tech Support Phil Golando (North) 1.0 Greg Poulos (South) 1.0
Instructional Technology Specialists
Elementary
Lauren Dietz (Bowen, H.M., Zervas) 1.0 Diana Freedman (Williams) .2
Trish Kelleher (Franklin) .4
Mary Manning (Countryside, M.R., Ward) 1.0 Ann Ritchie (Lincoln-Eliot) .2
Jen Toran (Burr, Mem Sp, Underwood) 1.0
Lisa Vancans (Angier, Cabot, Peirce) 1.0
Middle School
Brenda Doucette (Day) 1.0
Robyn Eaton (Brown) 1.0
Rosa Sterk (Oak Hill) 1.0 Sean Sweeney (Bigelow) 1.0
High School
Karen Clay (UDL, North/South) .5 Brian Hammel (South) .4
Chris Murphy (North) .8
Margery Waldron (South) .4
Carol Stockdale Executive Assistant
1.0
Robert Rainville Manager of Information Systems
1.0
Chris Swerling Coordinator of
Library / Media Services .6
Jessica Duval
Web Facilitator
1.0
Middle School Technical Assistants
2.0
High School Computer Aides .6
Missy Costello Coordinator of IT
1.0
Marc Richmond
Online Learning
1.0
Shelley Chamberlain Director of Information Technology
1.0
Information Technology Organization Chart, 2011 Appendix D Newton Public Schools
Library Teachers (K-12) 22.6
Administrative Technology Group
Data Base Management
Kevin Dolan 1.0 Bobbi Gerlits 1.0
Brian McCarthy 1.0 Jack Polnar 1.0
Tony Sbordone 1.0
Network & Server Operations Joe LaMarca 1.0 Sam Mayanja 1.0
John Saia 1.0
Tech Assist Help Desk Nancy Coxall 1.0
Marcia Finnegan 1.0 Susan Lum .514
John McLaughlin 1.0 Chris Mills 1.0
High School Tech Support Phil Golando (North) 1.0
Jonathan Atkins (South) 1.0
Instructional Technology Specialists
Elementary Lauren Dietz (Bowen, H.M., Zervas) 1.0
Diana Freedman (Angier) .2 Patti Karam (HM) .05
Eileen Keane (Burr, Mem Sp, Underwood) 1.0 Trish Kelleher (Franklin, Williams) .7
Jamie Lightfoot (Peirce) .4 Mary Manning (Countryside, M.R., Ward) 1.0
Ann Ritchie (Lincoln-Eliot) .2 Jen Reed (Cabot) .4
Middle School
Brenda Doucette (Day) 1.0 Robyn Eaton (Brown) 1.0 Rosa Sterk (Oak Hill) 1.0
Sean Sweeney (Bigelow) 1.0
High School Karen Clay (UDL, North/South) .5
Brian Hammel (South) .8 Chris Murphy (North) .8
Shelley Chamberlain Steve Silverman
Director of Information Technology 1.0
Carol Stockdale Executive Assistant
1.0
Robert Rainville Manager of Information Systems
1.0
Chris Swerling Coordinator of
Library / Media Services .6
Jessica Rudden Web Facilitator
1.0
Middle School Technical Assistants
Thomas Buchau (Brown, Oak Hill) Karen Davison (Bigelow, Day)
2.0
Missy Costello Coordinator of IT
1.0
Marc Richmond Online Learning
1.0
Appendix E
UPDATED 2009-2010
DETAILED ACTION PLANS
FUNDED REQUESTS
56
Detailed Action Plans Revised for 2009-2010
Teaching and Learning
TL 1: Newton Public School teachers will integrate technology to enhance the modeling,
demonstration, and exploration of key concepts into appropriate content areas to engage students
and deepen their learning experience.
Action Steps 2009 - 2010
Action Person Responsible Expected Focus of this
Action Step
Timeline
Agree upon K-5 focal points for
technology integration by grade level
and/or subject area for math, science,
social studies and language arts.
Executive Director for
Instructional Programs,
curriculum
coordinators K-8,
Coordinator of Ed
Tech,
ITS, principals,
teachers
Software to support
curriculum integration is
identified.
Oct. 09-Feb. 2010
Using agreed-upon integrated focal
points, develop subject specific
lessons/units that integrate technology.
Curriculum
coordinators K-8, ITS,
library and classroom
teachers
Teams of teachers
develop and pilot sample
technology-based
lessons/units for the
agreed-upon disciplines.
March -Aug. 2010
Disseminate and promote the ongoing
development of the technology-
enhanced lessons tied to selected focus
areas.
Curriculum
coordinators,
Coordinator of Ed
Technology K-8, Tech
Coordinator, ITS,
library teachers
Exemplary technology-
enhanced lessons that
support the curriculum
are shared via the
Instructional Technology
Web Site of Best
Practices and accessible
to all K-8 teachers.
March -Aug. 2010
Expand the current K-8 Technology
Benchmarks to include 9-12.
Coordinator of Ed
Technology, ITS,
dept. heads 9-12,
library teachers,
classroom teachers
Technology benchmarks
for high school are
developed for designated
disciplines.
Sept. 09-June 2010
Incorporate K-8 benchmarks into the
development of technology- infused
lessons.
Coordinator of Ed
Technology, ITS,
library teachers,
classroom teachers
Lessons are shared via
the Instructional
Technology Web Site of
Best Practices and
accessible to all K-8
teachers.
Nov. 09-June 2010
Develop performance assessments K-8
to reflect student mastery of
technology benchmarks.
Coordinator of Ed
Technology, ITS,
library teachers,
classroom teachers
Assessments are used to
evaluate student skill
level of technology use.
Sept. 09-June 2010
Set up and implement pilot of 21st
century demonstration teacher team at
Bigelow Middle School.
Curriculum
coordinators K-8,
Coordinator of Ed
Technology, ITS,
library teachers, 6th
grade Team A
Exemplary best practices
involving use of
interactive tools and
netbooks are shared
widely across district,
along with a plan for 21st
Century Classroom to be
expanded in the district.
Sept. 09-June 2010
Evaluate 21st century classroom at
Bigelow.
Coordinator of Ed
Technology, middle
school ITS, Curriculum
Coordinators, 6th
grade
teachers in conjuction
with BC research
project.
Pilot is part of a research
project with Boston
College inTASC group at
the Lynch School of Ed.
Sept. 09-June 2010
TL 2: Newton Public School students will use technology in socially responsible ways to enhance
productivity, communication, research, and collaboration and to demonstrate their understanding
of curriculum concepts.
Action Steps 2009 - 2010
Action Person
Responsible
Expected Focus of this Action Step Timeline
Incorporate fair
use/copyright
guidelines into
lesson
development.
ITS, library
teachers,
classroom
teachers,
administrators
Resources
(http://www.newton.k12.ma.us./NSHS/Library/C
opyrightNPS/index.htm) for fair use/copyright
will be made available for teachers and students
as a reference.
Sept. 09-Jan. 2010
All Newton
employees are
informed about the
following district
policies: Web
Publishing Policy,
Student Acceptable
Use Policy,
Employee
Acceptable Use
Policy, and
Confidentiality
Policy.
ITS, library
teachers, regular
classroom
teachers,
administrators
All policies are available within HR Policies and
Procedures Conference. Newly revised
guidelines for AUP will be made available for
classroom display and incorporated into lessons.
Sept. 09-Jan. 2010
Refine and
implement cyber-
safety lessons.
ITS, library
teachers,
classroom teachers
Lessons are taught in grades 3, 4, 5 and 6.
Expand to 7-9 throughout the district.
Oct. 09-Feb. 2010
Improve
accessibility to
instructional
materials for all
students by
promoting
Universal Design
for Learning
(UDL) principles
in lesson design
and
implementation at
the secondary
level.
Executive Director
for Instructional
Programs,
curriculum
coordinators K-8,
dept. heads 9-12,
Director of IT,
Coordinator of Ed
Technology,
Universal Design
Tech Specialist
Text-to-speech software (e.g. Kurweil 3000 or
SOLO) is the first item for a UDL toolkit to be
purchased for both high schools. The toolkit
includes a variety of resources that are readily
available to classroom teachers.
Sept. 09-June 2010
TL 3: Faculty will use technology to collect and analyze K-12 student data to differentiate and
inform instruction.
Action Steps 2009-2010
Action Person
Responsible
Expected Focus of this
Action Step
Timeline
Plan for and
implement a process
of locating student
data (data audit) in
major academic K-
12 areas to track and
analyze student
achievement.
Executive Director
for Instructional
Programs, Data and
Assessment
Specialist for C&I,
Program Evaluation
Specialist, Director
of IT, Manager of
Info Systems,
District Assessment
Team
All testing data is located in
one area.
Sept. 09-Dec. 09
Plan for and
implement process
of entering local data
into the DESE Data
Warehouse
Data and Assessment
Specialist for C&I,
Program Evaluation
Specialist, Director
of IT, Manager of
Info Systems
Agreed upon local student
assessments will be available
in the DESE warehouse to
provide informed decision-
making.
Jan. 2010-Feb.
2010
Begin training for
use of DESE data
warehouse.
Program Evaluation
Specialist
Key administrators on
district data team will be
trained on use of DESE Data
Warehouse.
March 2010-June
2010.
TL 4: Faculty will use technology as a tool to enhance communication throughout the school
and parent community.
Action Steps 2009 - 2010
Action Person
Responsible
Expected Focus of this
Action Step
Timeline
Continue to expand
use of technology as a
primary mode of
faculty communication
in support of curricular
work.
Teachers,
principals,
curriculum
coordinators,
dept. heads
Teachers and
administrators routinely
use FirstClass email and
conferences to share
information including
projects and lessons.
Sept. 09-June 2010
Continue to develop
our online course
management system
(Moodle) to improve
school-home
communication at
secondary level.
Tech
Coordinator, ITS,
library teacher,
ITS for Online
Learning,
classroom
teachers
Teachers develop online
courses to supplement and
extend lessons taught
during the school day.
Sept. 09-June 2010
Begin to develop our
online course
management system
(Moodle) to improve
school-home
communication at
elementary level.
Tech
Coordinator, ITS,
library teacher,
ITS for Online
Learning,
classroom
teachers
Teachers will begin to
develop online courses to
supplement and extend
lessons taught during the
school day.
March 2010-June
2010
Continue to develop
the use of Web 2.0
collaboration tools (i.e.
blogs, wikis, and
podcasts) to improve
delivery of instruction
and to foster
communication.
Tech
Coordinator, ITS,
library teacher,
Web Facilitator,
ITS for Online
Learning,
classroom
teachers
Revised AUP guidelines
incorporate procedures and
rules to inform teachers in
curriculum-related uses of
Web 2.0 tools.
Sept. 09-June 2010
Continue to develop
and maintain school
and classroom web
sites for improved
communication with
the Newton
community.
Teachers, ITS,
library teachers,
principals, Web
Facilitator
Every school has an up-to-
date web site. Newton
teachers create web sites to
provide timely information
about school and
classroom activities.
Oct. 09-June 2010
Investigate feasibility
and implementation
Director of IT,
Coordinator of
All 21 schools use
“agreed-upon” features and
Jan.2010-June 2010
issues of parent portal
to improve
school/home
communication.
IT, Manager of
IT, principals,
teachers
design of a parent portal.
Implement content
management software
to improve consistent
web site creation and
management.
Director of IT,
Coordinator of
IT, Manager of
IT, Web
Facilitator
The district has well-
organized and manageable
web site that
communicates important
information to the
community.
Nov. 09-June 2010
Detailed Action Plans Revised for 2009-2010
Professional Development
PD 1: The district will provide accessible professional development for teachers in the use of
technology to support 21st century student learning.
Action Steps 2009 - 2010
Action Person
Responsible
Expected Focus of this Action Step Timeline
Continue to
provide district-
wide workshops
on using
technology in
accordance with
software and
online resources
outlined in grade-
level curriculum
focus points,
student technology
benchmarks, and
NPS strategic
planning student
objectives.
Curriculum
coordinators K-
8, high school
dept. heads,
ITS, library
teachers
Technology workshops (face-to-face and online) will
be offered throughout the year during designated staff
meetings and professional development release times
to meet the curriculum needs of Newton staff.
Nov. 09-June
2010
Provide training
for effective use of
interactive display
tools (such as
interactive boards,
tablets and student
response systems)
that are being
piloted in various
classrooms
throughout the
City.
Coordinator of
Ed
Technology,
ITS
Teachers will develop lessons to effectively review or
teach new concepts as well as archive daily lessons.
Using the student response systems, teachers will be
able to use formative assessment to inform their
instructional practices.
District will make final decision on the interactive
suite of tools that will be a critical component of the
21st century classroom.
Sept. 09-June
2010
Provide training
for effective use of
student netbook
tools (such as
interactive boards,
tablets and student
response systems)
that are being
piloted at Bigelow
as part of the 21st
Coordinator of
Ed
Technology,
middle school
ITS, middle
school library
teachers
6th
Grade Bigelow team will collaboratively create
interdisciplinary lessons that incorporate technology
benchmarks and 21st century skills. The full-year pilot
will help the district make a final decision whether the
use of student netbooks improves instruction and
student learning. (Evaluation in partnership with
inTASC as Boston College.)
Sept. 09-June
2010
Century
Demonstration
Team.
Continue to
partner with the
Metro/West LIFT2
(Leadership
Initiatives for
Teaching and
Technology)
teacher
professional
development
focused on
improving student
awareness and
interest in STEM
curriculum and
careers.
(http://www.lift2.
org/)
Executive
Director for
Instructional
Programs,
math/science
curriculum
coordinators K-
8, math/science
dept. heads 9-
12, Director of
IT, secondary
math/science
teachers
Three secondary math/science teachers will participate
in LIFT2 and develop student lessons based on
methodology learned in the program.
Feb. 2010-June
2010
Provide graduate
level courses for
integrating
technology into
the curriculum to
improve teaching
and learning.
Tech
Coordinator,
ITS
Interested teachers will participate in technology
graduate level courses on-site offered through
Framingham State College.
Oct. 09-May
2010
Develop and
maintain a
process/structure
for identifying and
communicating
best practices in
integrating
technology into
the curriculum.
Coordinator of
Ed
Technology,
curriculum
coordinators K-
8, dept. heads
9-12, principals
Teachers regularly refer to and incorporate
lessons/projects available on the Instructional
Technology Web Site of Best Practices.
(http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Technology/it/index02
.html)
Oct. 09-June
2010
PD 2: The district will provide specialized technology-based professional development to learn
subject area content.
Action Steps 2009 - 2010
Action Step Person
Responsible
Expected Focus of this
Action Step
Timeline
Continue the Saturday
STEM Academy for high
school students to
encourage the student
Director of IT,
high school
principals,
math/science dept.
Newton grade-9 METCO
students are recruited and
selected to begin Saturday
classes at the Academy
Sept. 09-June 2010
participation in the math
and sciences. (Academy
funded through
MetroWest Regional
Employment Board)
heads 9-12, high
school teachers
starting October 2009,
using a curriculum and
program developed in
conjunction with Olin
College faculty and
MetroWest.
Implement the Partnership
for Online Professional
Development (POPD)
DOE Newton/Cambridge
grant (2009-2010) to
provide training for
English/LA teachers on
use of Web 2.0 tools to
improve writing.
Director of IT,
English/ELL K-8
curriculum
coordinators, dept.
heads 9-12,
designated ELA
teachers
Teachers create technology-
enhanced lessons that
incorporate Web 2.0 tools
to improve the instruction
of writing.
Sept. 09-June 2010
Continue to identify areas
of the curriculum that
would benefit from the use
of an online course
management system (e.g.
Moodle) for teacher
professional development.
Executive Director
for C&I, Tech
Coordinator,
middle school ITS,
curriculum
coordinators K-8,
dept. heads 9-12,
ITS for Online
Learning
Courses are developed for
teacher professional
development that support
the agreed-upon curricular
area best served with online
course management.
Sept. 09-June 2010
Continue to identify key
areas of the curriculum
that would benefit from
the use of an online course
management system (e.g.
Moodle) with secondary
students.
Executive Director
for C&I, Tech
Coordinator,
Secondary ITS,
curriculum
coordinators K-8,
Dept. Heads 9-12,
ITS for Online
Learning
Continue to develop online
courses to enhance
supplement daily lessons
with students at the
secondary school level.
Sept. 09-June 2010
Begin to identify key areas
of the curriculum that
would benefit from the use
of an online course
management system (e.g.
Moodle) with elementary
students.
Executive Director
for C&I, Tech
Coordinator,
Elementary ITS,
curriculum
coordinators K-8, ,
ITS for Online
Learning
Begin to develop online
courses to
enhance/supplement daily
lessons with students at the
elementary school level.
March 2010-June
2010
Continue to offer “just-in-
time” training and
workshops to support use
of teacher laptop for
productivity tasks.
Tech Coordinator,
ITS, library
teachers
Teachers use laptops for
administrative tasks
(grading, attendance) and to
enhance efficiency. Special
focus will be on new
grading program,
PowerTeacher
Sept. 09-May 2010
Detailed Action Plans Revised for 2009-2010
Infrastructure
IT 1: NPS will provide the hardware, software, peripherals, supplies, maintenance and
staffing to support equitably ongoing instructional and administrative needs.
Action Steps 2009-2010
Action Person
Responsible
Expected Focus of this
Action Step
Timeline
Refine and test out,
with stakeholder input,
specifications for a
standard classroom at
each level that contains
a baseline complement
of hardware, software,
and peripheral
equipment (i.e.
teacher/student
computing, projection
devices, probes, digital
camera, interactive
tools, and shared
printers).
Director of IT,
Coordinator of
Ed Tech, Library
Coordinator,
Manager of
Information
Systems, ITS,
and teachers
Further develop the SILC
classroom model for the
elementary level and the
Bigelow 21st Century
Classroom Pilot for secondary
level to determine feasibility
throughout the district.
Aug. 09-June
2010
Continue to review and
revise the specifications
of IT equipment and
software to ensure that
Universal Design
principles (UDL) are in
compliance with
Section 508 of the
IDEA.
Coordinator of
Ed Tech, ITS,
Universal Design
Tech Specialist
All hardware, software, and
peripherals are purchased in
accordance with universal
design principles.
Aug. 09-June
2010
Evaluate the cloud
computing model for
student computer use to
improve instructional
practice.
Tech
Coordinator,
Manager of
Information
Systems, ITS,
Bigelow pilot
teachers
Assess the efficacy of using
cloud computing with the 21st
Century Classroom Pilot at
Bigelow.
Feb. 2010-June
2010
Continue to promote a
hardware replacement
plan to replace 15% of
existing inventory
annually (admin and
student use).
Director of IT,
Coordinator of
Ed Technology,
Manager of
Information
Systems
Students have up-to-date
hardware capable of supporting
current applications and online
resources.
Nov. 09-March
2010
Continue to promote a
hardware replacement
plan for teacher laptops
to replace 20% of
existing inventory
annually.
Director of IT,
Coordinator of
Ed Technology,
Manager of
Information
Systems
Teachers have up-to-date
hardware capable of supporting
curriculum and administrative
needs.
Nov. 09-March
2010
Continue to assess the
1-1 computing model to
provide middle school
students with just-in-
time access to digital
tools.
Director of IT,
Tech
Coordinator,
Manager of
Information
Systems, ITS,
Bigelow pilot
teachers
A pilot 21st Century Classroom
is being implemented at
Bigelow to test and evaluate
the benefits of digital
interactive tools and 1-1
computing with netbooks.
Sept. 09-June
2010
Continue to support, as
component of the K-8
curriculum coordination
project, a standard
complement of software
at each grade level and
discipline, K-8.
Coordinator of
Ed Technology,
ITS, library
teachers,
curriculum
coordinators K-8,
classroom
teachers
coordinators K-8,
classroom
teachers
Assess the success of Fastt
Math at grade 3 (to be extended
to grades 4-5), Read Naturally
at grades 3-8, Type to Learn,
grades 3-5, and Gizmos for 6-8
science.
Oct. 09-June
2010
Explore alternatives for
establishing an
instructional software
purchase and use across
the district.
Coordinator of
Ed Technology,
Coordinator of
Libraries
Develop a software inventory
model at the K-8 level to track
software licenses and ensure
maintenance and upgrades are
done in a timely fashion.
Feb. 2010-June
2010
Request an increase in
library coordination (.2
FTE) as part of the
FY’11 budget request.
Director of IT Coordinator of Library is
increased to 4 days per week in
order to provide mentoring for
new staff and to implement
mapping of library benchmarks
with standard classroom
curriculum.
Nov. 09-March
2010
*Draft of standard classroom, see Appendix A
IT 2: The district will continue to improve centralized services that are distributed
throughout the district.
Action Steps 2009-2010
Action Person
Responsible
Expected Focus of this
Action Step
Timeline
Complete the
implementation of
Cisco managed
wireless throughout
the district.
Manager of IT,
network
specialists
Configure and implement
Cisco managed wireless
technology in the new
Newton North building
(opening Sept. 2010)
Jan. 2010-Aug. 2010
Continue the
implementation of
SIF (School
Interoperability
Framework)
technology
throughout the
district.
Manager of IT,
network
specialists
Extend the
synchronization of student
data across additional
server systems. Candidate
applications are SNAP
(tracking for student
medical issues), LunchBox
(cafeteria point of sales),
and Destiny (library
automation).
Sept. 09-June 2010
View only access to
library automation
system (Destiny)
from home.
Coordinator of
Libraries, network
specialist, library
teacher
All K-12 students and staff
view catalog from any
Internet connection.
Sept. 09-Dec. 09
Implement email
retention
methodology across
the district.
Manager of IT,
network
specialists
All incoming and outgoing
email messages will be
archived and retained to
comply with public record
guidelines.
Sept. 09-Dec. 09
Pilot use of
electronic grade
book software
(PowerTeacher)
that integrates with
our student
management
system (Pearson
SMS)
Manager of IT,
Data specialists,
ITS
Early adopters will have
the opportunity to use the
new system and assess its
benefits to the teaching
staff at large.
Sept. 09-June 2010
Explore alternatives
for implementation
of a parent portal
for use in the
district.
Director of IT,
Coordinator of Ed
Technology,
Manager of IT,
network
specialist,
Instructional Tech
Specialists
Pilot Pearson’s
ParentConnect portal
which integrates directly
with SMS and the
PowerTeacher grade book.
Detailed Action Plans Revised for 2009-2010
Administration and Support
SS 1: The district will promote a vision for technology that is focused on learning and
achievement for all students and is representative of and supported by faculty,
administrators, Superintendent, and School Committee.
Action Steps 2009-2010
Action Person
Responsible
Expected Focus of this
Action Step
Timeline
Continue to promote
and support
technology
committees at all
levels to coordinate
technology
initiatives, explore
funding alternatives,
and implement
programs within the
framework of the
district plan.
Chair of School
Tech
Committees, ITS
School-based initiatives at
secondary level are better
informed and are able to
align school-based initiatives
with the district technology
plan.
Sept. 09-June 2010
Continue the work of
the Technology
Advisory Committee
with a more targeted
focus.
Director of IT Refocus the work of the
Technology Advisory
Committee (TAC) to
specific projects that require
additional research and
testing in order to leverage
their span of expertise and
experience.
Sept. 09-2010
Communicate to all
constituents the
initiatives of the
Newton Public
School’s Three-Year
Technology Plan.
Director of IT Results of input and
recommendations from
school tech committees and
TAC are publicized across
the district and with the
broader NPS community.
Sept. 09-June 2010
Establish a Virtual
Learning Task Force.
SS 2: The district will adopt leading practices to provide yearly funding sufficient to
support the full and equitable implementation of the district-wide Three-Year Technology
Plan. The district will work to develop new sources of funding for technology-related
initiatives and overall education.
Year 1 Action Steps 2009-2010
Action Person
Responsible
Expected Result of this
Action Step
Timeline
Continue to investigate
alternative ways for
funding the necessary
hardware, peripherals
(interactive tools,
projection devices,
digital cameras, etc.)
and software.
Director of IT Through a variety of
funding sources, up-to-
date hardware, software
and peripherals are more
readily available to
improve instruction across
the district.
Sept. 09-June 2010
Work with Newton
Schools Foundation
(NSF) to fund the 21st
Century Classroom.
Director of IT,
Coordinator of
Instructional
Technology
Strategic plan & processes
to develop new funding
sources, including a
strategy for tapping
volunteers. Funding
sources are identified and
prioritized.
Jan. 08-June 08
Continue to leverage
use of federal e-Rate
funds to improve and
expand NPS network
infrastructure.
Manager of
Information
Systems,
network
specialists
Newton South will have
managed wireless
throughout the campus.
Sept. 09-June 2010
Newton Public Schools Tech Plan Update July 2009
Newton Public Schools-Year 2 (FY’10) Increased Funding for Technology Initiatives End of Year Additional Funds for Year 2, June 2009
Item Key Area Details Amount Comments NAC appliance Infrastructure/Hardware District device $48,709 Analyze and control
all devices coming into the school system network in order to be adequately protected from security threats
Balance Loader Infrastructure/Hardware District device $9,962 Distribute equitably computer workload requests of our customers across multiple servers
New servers Infrastructure/Hardware 4 middle schools
$10,743 Replace 8 year old servers
Life cycle replacement cycle for teacher laptops at Newton North with software, K-12
Infrastructure/Hardware 200 computers with maintenance contract
$179,993 MacBooks funded with FY’09 funds; server/software with FY’10 funds
Life cycle replacement cycle for student computers
Infrastructure/Hardware 28 computers with software
$26,327 Replace 8 year old computer science lab at South High
Subtotal: 275,734 Approved Increased Funding for Year Two (FY ’10)
Item Key Area Details Amount Comments Life cycle replacement for teacher computers with software, K-12
Infrastructure/Hardware Servers and software for North Laptops
$38,000 Software/peripherals from FY’10 budget for North laptops
Life cycle replacement for student computers with software, K-12
Infrastructure/Hardware ~15 computers
$12,000 Computers older than 9 years at the elementary level
Life cycle replacement cycle for administrative computers
Infrastructure/Hardware Updated hardware for Chancery-Pearson SMS
Included in operating funds for
admin computing
Newton North/South Guidance Dept.
South High wireless project Infrastructure Cisco Managed Wireless in every instructional space, Newton South
Use of E-Rate funds
Total cost: $201,000. Existing E-Rate funds of $201,000 approved to fund project, 7/09).
Web Help Desk Ticketing software
Infrastructure District Included in operating funds for
admin computing ($9,375)
Online system for staff to report technical issues and receive feedback.
Purchase a KBOX 1000 Series Systems
Infrastructure Management system for PCs
Included in operating
Improve efficiency and effectiveness in
Newton Public Schools Tech Plan Update July 2009
Management Appliance funds for admin
computing ($23,541)
troubleshooting and administering all PC computers in the district.
Instructional Technology Specialist for Online Learning
Administration and Support/Professional Development
Oversee development of online courses
$65,000 Provide professional development and manage the infrastructure (Moodle server) to expand online learning for teachers/students
Program Evaluation Specialist
Administration and Support
Implement DESE data warehouse
$65,000 Set up, implement, and manage student assessment information easily accessible to teachers
Software for district assessment of student data
Administration and Support
Program developed by PCG
$30,000 Support and training for use of the application will be done by Data Assessment Specialist
Library Teacher .4 FTE Teaching and Learning Support increase of student enrollments
$30,000 .2 FTE Horace Mann/.2 FTE Burr
Instructional Tech Specialist .2 FTE
Teaching and Learning Provide curricular support at schools
$15,000 Increasing student enrollment
Software/Hardware for curriculum focal point initiatives for first year targeted disciplines
Infrastructure/Teaching and Learning
Math (Fastt Math), reading fluency (Read Naturally), science (Gizmos), universal design instructional software with training
$100,000 Portion of funds used to upgrade older computers in order to run Fastt Math software at designated 3rd grades ($51,000).
Tools to implement pilot for 21st Century Classroom
Infrastructure/Teaching and Learning
6th grade team at Bigelow Middle
$66,000 Suite of interactive tools (2 classrooms) and netbooks for every student (55)
Subtotal: $421,000
Grand Total: $696,734 *Teacher laptops provided to: Elementary--all classroom teachers, physical education, music, art Middle--all classroom teachers, physical education, music, art, World Languages, ELL High--all classroom teachers and specialists
72
Appendix F
UPDATED 2010-2012
DETAILED ACTION PLANS
FUNDED REQUESTS
Detailed Action Plans Revised for 2010-2012
Teaching and Learning
TL 1: Newton Public School teachers will integrate technology to enhance the modeling, demonstration, and exploration of key concepts into appropriate content areas to engage students and deepen their learning experience.
Action Steps 2010-2012
Action Person Responsible Expected Focus of this Action Step
Timeline
Agree upon K-8 focal points for technology integration by grade level and/or subject area for math, science, social studies and language arts.
Executive Director for Instructional Programs, curriculum coordinators K-8, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, ITS, principals, teachers
Updated charts that show mapping of technology skills with curriculum areas is posted on the teacher portal.
Oct. 2010-June 2012
Using the grade level charts of technology standards, continue to develop subject specific lessons/units.
Curriculum coordinators K-8, Coordinator of Instructional Technology,ITS, library and classroom teachers
Teams of teachers develop and pilot sample technology-based lessons/units for the agreed-upon disciplines.
January 2011 -Aug. 2012
Develop performance assessments K-5 to reflect student mastery of technology benchmarks.
Coordinator of Instructional Technology, ITS, library teachers, classroom teachers
Assessments are used to evaluate student skill level of technology use.
Sept. 2010-June 2012
Research several options for sharing online best practices/lessons/resources
Executive Director for Instructional Programs, curriculum coordinators K-8, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, ITS
A web-based system is selected and implemented.
Oct. 2010-Aug. 2011
Begin to disseminate and promote the ongoing development of the technology-enhanced lessons tied to selected focus areas.
Curriculum coordinators, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, ITS, library teachers
Exemplary technology-enhanced lessons that support the curriculum are shared via the Instructional Technology Web Site of Best Practices and accessible to all K-8 teachers.
June 2011 -Aug. 2012
Continue 21st century demonstration teacher team at Bigelow Middle School.
Curriculum coordinators K-8, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, ITS, library teacher, 6th grade Team 6B
Exemplary best practices involving use of interactive tools and netbooks are shared widely across district.
Sept. 2010-June 2012
Share evaluation of 21st century classroom at Bigelow.
Director of IT, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, 6th grade teachers in conjunction with Boston College research team.
Final report from Boston College inTASC group at the Lynch School of Education is shared with school department.
Oct. 2010
TL 2: Newton Public School students will use technology in socially responsible ways to enhance productivity, communication, research, and collaboration and to demonstrate their understanding of curriculum concepts.
Action Steps 2010-2012
Action Person Responsible
Expected Focus of this Action Step Timeline
Continue to incorporate fair use/copyright guidelines into lesson development.
ITS, library teachers, classroom teachers, administrators
Resources (http://www.newton.k12.ma.us./NSHS/Library/CopyrightNPS/index.htm) for fair use/copyright will be made available for teachers and students as a reference.
Sept. 2010-June 2012
All Newton employees are informed about the following district policies: Web Publishing Policy, Student Acceptable Use Policy, Employee Acceptable Use Policy, and Confidentiality Policy.
ITS, library teachers, regular classroom teachers, administrators
All policies are available within HR Policies and Procedures Conference.
Sept. 2010-Jan. 2012
Refine and continue to implement cyber-safety lessons.
ITS, library teachers, Health and wellness teachers, and classroom teachers
Lessons are taught in grades 3-8. Expand to grade 9-12 as appropriate.
Oct. 2010-Feb. 2011
Improve accessibility to instructional materials for all students by promoting Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles in lesson design and implementation at the secondary level.
Executive Director for Instructional Programs, curriculum coordinators K-8, dept. heads 9-12, Director of IT, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, Universal Design Tech Specialist and Adaptive Technology Specialist
Agreed-upon toolkit includes a variety of resources that are readily available to classroom teachers in grades 9-12.
Sept. 2010-June 2012
TL 3: Faculty will use technology to collect and analyze K-12 student data to differentiate and inform instruction.
Action Steps 2010-2012
Action Person Responsible
Expected Focus of this Action Step
Timeline
Continue to build upon the NPS data culture.
Deputy Superintendent, Executive Director for Instructional Programs, Data and Assessment Specialist for C&I, Program Evaluation Specialist, Director of IT, Manager of Info Systems
District Data Team will use the District Data Team Toolkit (provided by the DESE) as a guide to implement recommendations that resulted from the data audit that was conducted during FY’10.
Sept. 2010-June 2012
Continue to support school-based data teams in the areas of data collection, data quality, data analysis, and data culture.
Data and Assessment Specialist for C&I, Program Evaluation Specialist, Director of IT, District Data Team Subcommittees
Three subcommittees (Support for School-based Data Teams, Best Practices for Intervention, and K-12 Achievement Gap) will provide resources, support, and training for school-based data teams.
Sept. 2010-June 2012
Continue to implement procedures for collecting and
Executive Director for Instructional Programs, Data and Assessment
All student assessment data is centralized to promote efficient data extraction for analysis.
Sept. 2010-Dec. 2010
storing appropriate student assessment data.
Specialist for C&I, Program Evaluation Specialist, Director of IT, Manager of Info Systems, District Assessment Team
Continue to plan for and implement process of entering local data into the DESE Data Warehouse.
Data and Assessment Specialist for C&I, Program Evaluation Specialist, Director of IT, Manager of Info Systems
The following tasks are completed: type of data to be loaded is determined, collection/storage of data is completed, and data extracted and uploaded to the Education Data Warehouse.
Nov. 2010-June 2012
Continue training for use of DESE data warehouse for administrators and teachers.
Program Evaluation Specialist, Data and Assessment Specialist for C&I
Key administrators on district data team, principals and teachers who are members of school-based data teams will be trained on use of DESE Data Warehouse.
Aug. 2010-June. 2012
TL 4: Faculty will use technology as a tool to enhance student learning and communication throughout the school and parent community.
Action Steps 2010-2012 Action Person
Responsible Expected Focus of this
Action Step Timeline
Continue to develop the use of Web 2.0 collaboration tools (i.e. blogs, wikis, and podcasts) to improve delivery of instruction and to foster communication.
Coordinator of Instructional Technology, ITS, library teacher, Web Facilitator, ITS for Online Learning, classroom teachers
Key Web 2.0 tools are identified and integrated to support the student learning goals outlined in Vision 2020.
Sept. 2010-June 2012
Continue to develop our online course management system (Moodle) to improve school-home communication at secondary level.
Coordinator of Instructional Technology, ITS, library teacher, ITS for Online Learning, classroom teachers
Teachers develop online courses to supplement and extend lessons taught during the school day.
Sept. 2010-June 2012
Begin to develop our Coordinator of Teachers will begin to Sept. 2010-June
online course management system (Moodle) to improve school-home communication at grades 4-5.
Instructional Technology, ITS, library teacher, ITS for Online Learning, classroom teachers
develop online courses to supplement and extend lessons taught during the school day.
2011
Continue to develop and maintain school and classroom web sites for improved communication with the Newton community.
Teachers, ITS, library teachers, principals, Web Facilitator
Every school has an up-to-date web site. Newton teachers create web sites to provide timely information about school and classroom activities.
Oct. 2010-June 2012
Pilot implementation of parent portal (ParentCONNECT) to improve school/home communication.
Director of IT, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, Manager of IT, principals, teachers
Three schools (Williams, Brown, and South) will pilot use of ParentCONNECT and give feedback to task force to make recommendations for implementation at other 18 schools.
Sept. 2010-Feb. 2012
Continue to implement content management software to improve consistent web site creation and management.
Director of IT, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, Manager of IT, Web Facilitator
The following websites will be revamped using Drupal to improve communication with parents and the community: South High, Brown Middle, Ward Elementary, and the Central Office webpages.
Sept. 2010-June 2012
Begin to train key administrators and/or support staff and Instructional Technology Specialists on updating web sites.
Web Facilitator Staff will be able to update and maintain the web pages that are aligned with their department and/or school.
Sept. 2010-June 2011
Detailed Action Plans Revised for 2010-2011 Professional Development PD 1: The district will provide accessible professional development for teachers in the use of technology to support 21st century student learning.
Action Steps 2010-2012
Action Person Responsible
Expected Focus of this Action Step Timeline
Pilot a new professional development offering, Learning 2.0, for NPS staff to learn how to use Web 2.0 tools to support the 4 Cs (critical and creative thinking, collaboration and communication.)
Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Director of IT, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, Curriculum coordinators K-8, high school dept. heads, ITS, library teachers
The Learning 2.0 workshop (14 sessions with 8 topics) will be offered after-school hours (hybrid model) to meet the 21st century learning needs of Newton staff and students. Results of workshop evaluation will be used to modify the offering to ensure learning needs are met.
Oct. 2010-June 2012
Provide training for the LoTi (Levels of Teaching Innovation)- H.E.A.T. framework (Higher order thinking skills, engaged and authentic learning, and technology) framework (http://loticonnection.com/index.html).
Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Director of IT, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, Curriculum coordinators K-8, 9-12 dept. heads, ITS, library teachers
Principals, coordinators, department heads and ITS will pilot the use of the H.E.A.T. framework when collaborating with teachers to assess the impact of lessons that incorporate 21st century skills with the support of technology on student learning.
Oct. 2010-June 2011
Provide training for effective use of interactive boards (SMART, ENO) that are being implemented at the 5th, 6th and high school level.
Coordinator of Instructional Technology, ITS, math coaches, K-8 Coordinators
Teachers will create and share SMART notebooks to support classroom lessons that use the H.E.A.T. framework.
Sept. 2010-June 2012
Continue to support STEM initiative pilots at the secondary level.
Executive Director for Instructional Programs, math/science curriculum coordinators, math/science dept. heads 9-12, Director of IT, secondary math/science teachers, UDL Tech Specialist
Teachers involved with pilots will receive appropriate training and professional development. (e.g. Sixth grade teachers will receive training and collaborate at Concord Consortium to develop lessons that support the Loops Project and high school biology teachers will receive training for the UDL biology curriculum with EDC and CAST). Secondary teachers will continue to participate in the Metro/West LIFT2 (Leadership Initiatives for Teaching and Technology) teacher professional development focused on improving student awareness and interest in STEM curriculum and careers. (http://www.lift2.org/)
Sept. 2010-June 2012
Begin to train school or department webmasters.
ITS, Web Facilitator
Building-based and departmental websites will be consistent across schools and updated on a regular basis.
Sept. 2010-June 2012
Continue to offer “just-in-time” training on how to incorporate technology benchmarks to support key curriculum units at each grade level.
Executive Director for C&I, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, ITS, curriculum coordinators K-8, dept. heads 9-12 and library teachers.
Teachers create and share technology-enhanced lessons that support the agreed-upon curriculum units at each grade level.
Sept. 2010-June 2012
Continue to offer “just-in-time” training and workshops to support use of teacher laptops for productivity tasks.
Coordinator of Instructional Technology, ITS, library teachers
Teachers use laptops for administrative tasks (grading, attendance) and to enhance efficiency. Special focus will be on new grading program, PowerTeacher and ParentCONNECT.
Sept. 2010-May 2012
Continue to offer an intensive multi-day summer technology camp experience to give teachers the time and support to develop lessons incorporating 21st century tools.
Coordinator of Instructional Technology, ITS, library teachers, classroom teachers
Interested teachers will participate in Camp 2011 and produce lessons and/or activities that integrate technology tools into their classroom teaching.
June 2011 and June 2012
PD 2: The district will provide specialized technology-based professional development to learn subject area content.
Action Steps 2010- 2012
Action Step Person Responsible
Expected Focus of this Action Step
Timeline
Promote the Saturday STEM Academy Middle School Program for middle school students to encourage the student participation in the math and sciences. (Academy funded through MetroWest Regional Employment Board)
Director of IT, middle school principals, math/science coordinators, middle school math/science teachers
Newton middle school METCO students are recruited and selected to attend four seminars on Saturday at the Christa McAuliffe/Challenger Learning Center at Framingham State College, the Olin College of Engineering in Needham.
Sept. 2010-June 2011
Pilot the use of webinar software to provide online professional development for Newton staff.
Executive Director for C&I, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, Secondary ITS, curriculum coordinators K-8, ITS for Online Learning
Teachers will be able to attend online professional development in their own building as well as watch archived versions of the webinars as needed.
Oct. 2010-June 2012
Pilot use of online tutorials for basic technology programs offered at NPS.
Coordinator of Instructional Technology, ITS, Coordinator of Libraries, ITS for Online Learning, UDL Tech Specialist
Library of technology tutorials to help new staff learn programs integral to the NPS administrative and teaching functions will be available online.
Sept. 2010-June 2012
Continue to use our Course Management System to develop “just-in-time” training opportunities for Newton staff.
Coordinator of Instructional Technology, ITS, curriculum coordinators K-8, dept. heads 9-12, ITS for Online Learning
Courses are developed for teacher professional development that support the agreed-upon curricular area best served with online course management.
Sept. 2010-June 2011
Continue to identify key areas of the curriculum that would benefit from the use of an online course management system (e.g. Moodle) with secondary students.
Executive Director for C&I, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, Secondary ITS, curriculum coordinators K-8, Dept. Heads 9-12, ITS for Online Learning
Continue to develop online courses to enhance supplement daily lessons with students at the secondary school level.
Sept. 2010-June 2012
Begin to identify key areas of the curriculum that would benefit from the use of an online course management system (e.g. Moodle) with elementary students.
Executive Director for C&I, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, Elementary ITS, curriculum coordinators K-8 , ITS for Online Learning
Begin to develop online courses to enhance/supplement daily lessons with students at the elementary school level.
Sept. 2010-June 2011
Detailed Action Plans Revised for 2010-2012
Infrastructure IT 1: NPS will provide the hardware, software, peripherals, supplies, maintenance and staffing to support equitably ongoing instructional and administrative needs.
Action Steps 2010-2012 Action Person
Responsible Expected Focus of this
Action Step Timeline
Continue to refine and test out, with stakeholder input, specifications for a standard classroom at each level that contains a baseline complement of hardware, software, and peripheral equipment (i.e. teacher/student computing, projection devices, probes, digital camera, interactive tools, and shared printers).
Director of IT, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, Library Coordinator, Manager of Information Systems, ITS, and teachers
Continue to purchase hardware, software and peripherals in order to meet the updated guidelines listed in the Standard Configuration chart (Appendix A) through the partnerships of the school-based PTOs, NSF, and NPS operating budget.
Aug. 2010-June 2012
Continue to review and revise the specifications of IT equipment and software to ensure that Universal Design principles (UDL) are in compliance with Section 508 of the IDEA.
Coordinator of Instructional Technology, ITS, Universal Design Tech Specialist, and Adaptive Technology Specialist
All hardware, software, and peripherals are purchased in accordance with universal design principles.
Aug. 2010-June 2012
Implement energy management software to monitor Mac and PC computers across the district and power them off nights and weekends when idle.
Manager of Information Systems, Network Specialists
Power management software will be carefully phased in to insure that energy savings are achieved with little to no disruption to NPS computer users throughout the district.
Nov. 2010-June 2011
Implement cloud computing model (Google docs) for student computer use to improve instructional practice at the secondary level.
Coordinator of Instructional Technology, Manager of Information Systems, ITS, classroom
Teachers and students at the secondary level will use the various Google tools (documents, spreadsheets, forms) for communication and collaboration 24/7.
Oct. 2010-June 2012
teachers Implement NAC (Network Access Control) security at Newton South High School.
Director of IT, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, Manager of Information Systems, Network Specialists
NAC access security can detect and apply NPS security policy on the growing number of personally-owned mobile technology devices (e.g. laptops, iPads, iPhones) being brought into school by students and teachers
Oct.. 2010-January 2011
Replace PC desktops of secretaries at elementary and middle school levels.
Manager of Information Systems, Tech Assist
Improve the efficiency of secretaries by upgrading their 2004-vintage PCs with faster and more energy-efficient systems with larger screen displays
September 2010-October 2010
Continue to promote a hardware replacement plan to replace 15% of existing inventory annually (student use).
Director of IT, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, Manager of Information Systems
Students have up-to-date hardware capable of supporting current applications and online resources.
Nov. 2010-April 2012
Define and implement a selection process for reviewing choice of platform for teacher laptops at the middle school level.
Director of IT, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, Manager of Information Systems, middle school ITS, teachers
Platform for teacher laptops will be agreed upon that supports both administrative and curricular needs. (Elementary and High School platform is currently Mac OS)
September 2010-November 2010
Continue to promote a hardware replacement plan for teacher laptops to replace 20% of existing inventory annually.
Director of IT, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, Manager of Information Systems
Teachers have up-to-date hardware capable of supporting curriculum and administrative needs.
Nov. 2010-April 2012
Research and recommend alternative models of computing (such as parent lease or students bringing in personal mobile devices) to support the 1-1 computing model to provide secondary school students with just-in-time access to
Director of IT, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, Manager of Information Systems, ITS, classroom teachers
Implementation of the Network Access Control (NAC) device to authenticate all devices on the NPS network.
March 2012
digital tools.
Continue to support, as component of the K-8 curriculum coordination project, a standard complement of software at each grade level and discipline, K-8.
Coordinator of Instructional Technology, ITS, library teachers, curriculum coordinators K-8, classroom teachers coordinators K-8, classroom teachers
Fast Math at grade 3 will be extended to grade 4, ), Read Naturally at grades 3-8, Type to Learn, grades 3-5, and Gizmos for 6-8 science.
Sept. 2010-June 2012
Explore alternatives for establishing instructional software purchase and guidelines for use across the district.
Coordinator of Instructional Technology, Coordinator of Libraries
Develop a software inventory model at the K-8 level to track software licenses and ensure maintenance and upgrades are done in a timely fashion.
Feb. 2011-June 2011
*Draft of standard classroom, see Appendix A IT 2: The district will continue to improve centralized services that are distributed throughout the district.
Action Steps 2010-2012 Action Person
Responsible Expected Focus of this
Action Step Timeline
Improve the network bandwidth to school buildings to accommodate the increased use of multimedia services (e.g. Discovery Education, mobile devices, etc.)
Manager of IT, Network specialists
Elementary level- from 100 megabits/sec to 1 gigabit/sec Newton South- from 1 gigabit/sec to 10 gigabits/sec
Nov. 201o-June 2012
Continue promoting SIF (School Interoperability Framework) technology solutions across the district.
Manager of IT, Data Base Administrators
Convert 1 of the following district applications to SIF: SNAP (tracking for student medical issues), LunchBox (cafeteria point of sales), or Destiny (library automation).
Sept. 2010-June 2012
Implement use of a virtual help desk for IT problem
Manager of IT, Tech Assist staff, Network
All staff will use the online Web Desk ticketing system to report hardware and
Sept. 2010-October 2011
reporting and knowledge base development.
specialists, ITS and library teachers
software issues.
Promote and expand use of PowerTeacher, the electronic grade book software that integrates with our Chancery SMS student management system (SIS) from Pearson.
Manager of IT, Data specialists, ITS
Increase usage by 20% through extensive training and support given by the middle and high school Instructional Technology Specialists and teachers who are experienced users.
Sept. 2010-June 2012
Pilot the use of the ParentCONNECT parent portal from Pearson which integrates with Chancery SMS student information system (SIS) and the PowerTeacher electronic gradebook.
Director of IT, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, Manager of IT, network specialist, Instructional Tech Specialists
Pilot Pearson’s ParentCONNECT portal at Williams Elementary, Brown Middle School and Newton South High School with a plan for expansion to other schools.
Oct. 2010-Jan 2012
Detailed Action Plans Revised for 2010-2012
Administration and Support SS 1: The district will promote a vision for technology that is focused on learning and achievement for all students and is representative of and supported by faculty, administrators, Superintendent, and School Committee. Action Steps 2010-2012
Action Person Responsible
Expected Focus of this Action Step
Timeline
Continue to promote and support school-based technology committees at all levels to coordinate technology initiatives, explore funding alternatives, and implement programs within the framework of the district plan.
Director of IT, Chair of school-based Tech Committees, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, principals, ITS
School-based initiatives are better informed and are able to align school-based initiatives with the district technology plan.
Sept. 10-June 2012
Plan and develop an online Moodle site to support the work of the Blended Learning Team at the high school level.
Executive Director of Instructional Programs, Director of IT, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, High School Principals, Dept. Heads, Online Learning Specialist
Blended Learning Team teachers at North and South will be fully supported as they develop an online central repository for the agreed-upon disciplines of introductory physics and Latin.
Sept. 2010-June 2011
Research best methods for sharing interactive Notebook lessons, grades 5-12.
Executive Director of Instructional Programs, Director of IT, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, K-8 Coordinators and High School Dept. Heads.
Various online programs will be evaluated according to an agreed-upon rubric. One program will be recommended for purchase for FY’13.
Sept. 2010-June 2011
SS 2: The district will adopt leading practices to provide yearly funding sufficient to support the full and equitable implementation of the district-wide Three-Year Technology Plan. The district will work to develop new sources of funding for technology-related initiatives and overall education. Action Steps 2010-2012
Action Person Responsible
Expected Result of this Action Step
Timeline
Continue to investigate alternative ways for funding the necessary hardware, peripherals (interactive tools, projection devices, digital cameras, etc.) and software needed for student computing.
Director of IT Through a variety of funding sources, up-to-date hardware, software and peripherals are more readily available to improve instruction across the district.
Sept. 2010-June 2012
Partner with the Newton Schools Foundation (NSF) to educate the community about the 21st Century Classroom.
Director of IT, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, ITS, 5th grade and North High teachers, NSF Fundraiser
Interactive devices (interactive boards and student response systems) are installed in all 5th grades and a portion of 6th grades.
Sept. 2010-June 2012
Continue to leverage use of federal e-Rate funds to improve and expand NPS network infrastructure.
Manager of Information Systems, network specialists
???? Sept. 2010-June 2012
Newton Public Schools Tech Plan Update July 2010
Newton Public Schools-Year 3 (FY’11) Increased Funding for Technology Initiatives End of Year Additional Funds for Year 3, June 2010
Item Key Area Details Amount Comments Update South Cutler Lab Infrastructure/Hardware
South High 24 desktop computers with software
$25,433 Replace end of life student desktop computers
Mobile Library Cart A Infrastructure/Hardware South High
25 laptops with software
$27,592 Replace end of life student laptops
Mobile Library Cart B Infrastructure/Hardware South High
25 laptops with software
$27,592 Replace end of life student laptops
Mobile Social Studies Cart Infrastructure/Hardware South High
25 laptops with software
$27,592 Replace end of life student laptops
Update South Wheeler/Goldrick Lab
Infrastructure/Hardware South High
24 desktop computers with software
$25,433 Replace end of life student computers
Update South Music Lab Infrastructure/Hardware South High
21 desktop computers with software
$58,471 Replace end of life student computers
Subtotal: $192,113 Approved Increased Funding for Year 3 (FY ’11)
Item Key Area Details Amount Comments Life cycle replacement 15% for student computers with software in designated 6-12 specialized labs (Tech Engineering labs at Brown and OH, Tech Engineering Lab at South
Infrastructure/Hardware 44 student desktops: 12 Brown, 12 OH, 20 CAD South
$35,200 Students will be introduced to the critical Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills resources that are part of the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for science and engineering.
Life cycle replacement for teacher laptops with software, K-12
Infrastructure/Hardware Replace grade 6 teacher laptops
$33,200 Computers older than 9 years at the elementary level
Life cycle replacement cycle for administrative computers
Infrastructure/Hardware Updated hardware for Chancery-Pearson SMS
Included in operating funds for
admin computing
Elementary secretaries
Math and Science Depts. Infrastructure/Hardware South High
35 Document Cameras
$17,465 New devices for teaching and learning
Blended Learning Team North and South High
Teaching and Learning/Professional Development
Oversee development of online courses
$26,000 Follow through of recommendations by Virtual Learning Task Force (2009-2010) teachers/students
Subtotal: $111,865
Grand Total: $303,978 *Teacher laptops provided to: Elementary--all classroom teachers, physical education, music, art Middle--all classroom teachers, physical education, music, art, World Languages, ELL High--all classroom teachers and specialists
Appendix G UPDATED 2012-‐2013
Action Plans and Goals -‐ Revised for FY12-‐FY13
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND LIBRARY MEDIA
FY12-‐FY13 Initiatives by department goals 1. Support the integration of technology into all of Newtons’ classrooms • Assessed the current state of technology in all classrooms and designed
deployment plans to improve and equalize access to more current and robust digital learning tools in all schools and classrooms.
• Began to replace and update classroom technology, including teacher laptops, student carts, and projection devices, district-‐wide.
• Created a plan and began to infuse the middle schools with more robust access and updated digital learning tools.
• Created a plan to replace the functions of the aging language lab at Newton South. • Began the design and plan for funding of the remaining wide area network and
internal infrastructure needs district-‐wide. 2. Build on district wide initiatives. • Began to build and establish the new “OurNewton” learning platform, moving
from the Moodle tool to ItsLearning learning platform • Began to design and build a professional development management system within
OurNewton. • Continued to expand the development of webinar-‐based professional
development. • Launched Google Apps for education district-‐wide. • Continued to update and develop an improved district website. • Began plans for centralized digital resources to support anytime any where access
for all curriculum areas. 3. Improve technical infrastructure and services to meet district wide needs. • Designed a multi-‐year network improvement plan, which will increase ten-‐fold
the connection speeds of all twenty-‐two school buildings, as well as double the wireless network capacity to support the 1-‐1 computing.
• Improved the capacity and quality of the district network, particularly at Newton South.
• Redesigned the technical help desk for more timely and efficient responding. • Made adjustments to purchasing practices to leverage bulk buying of hardware
and parts. • Facilitated the upgrade of approximately 1,000 laptops and desktops district wide
to stretch the life expectancy of the hardware.
FY13 OBJECTIVES AND BUDGET STATEMENT The FY13 budget for the Information Technology and Library Department include improvements to support the increase in bandwidth the district requires to provide robust Internet access and increased use of digital tools (such as OurNewton and Googledocs). Minor adjustments to staff positions will be made to reflect advanced skill sets and additional needs for year-‐round technical services. These staffing adjustments include an increase for a technical support position currently at Newton South to serve both high schools more effectively. The Information Technology and Library Department will continue working in conjunction with Teaching & Learning to ensure that learning is “powered” by technology. Proposed Operating Budget FY 13 (without salaries)
Budget Book Description Account Description Total Administrative Hardware PC HARDWARE-ADMIN $117,749.00 Administrative Software PC SOFTWARE-ADMIN $44,100.00 Instructional Equipment PC HARDWARE-INSTRUCTIONAL $267,850.00 Instructional Software PC SOFTWARE-INSTRUCTIONAL $81,393.00
Internet Access INTERNET ACCESS CHARGES $24,000.00 Library Technology Resources LIBRARY SUPPLIES $29,300.00
DUES & SUBSCRIPTIONS $800.00 Repair and Maintenance COMPUTER EQUIPMT R-M $370,000.00
Training Expenses PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT $55,000.00 Office Supplies, Materials & Printing - IT E-RATE CONSULTANTS $15,950.00
PRINTING $1,000.00 OFFICE SUPPLIES $3,000.00 REFRESHMENTS/MEALS $300.00
Office Supplies, Materials & Printing PROFESSIONAL SERVICES $5,000.00 INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPLIES $4,000.00 COMPUTER SUPPLIES $16,000.00 DUES & SUBSCRIPTIONS $1,250.00
Grand Total $1,036,692.00
Proposed District Wide Initiatives for Beginning FY12-‐FY13
CATEGORY ITEM LOCATION AMOUNT Budgetary Resource
Foundation
Infrastructure
Upgrade and Expand MS Infrastructure :Internal
connections and wireless Middle Schools/4 $650,000 CIP/NSF/E-Rate
Infrastructure
Update City Wide Fiber Network in conjunction with
City Operations DW $1,000,000 CIP
Infrastructure Maintain Instructional
Technology Operations: DW $300,000 FY13 Operating
Budget
Infrastructure Media Storage and Delivery
Phase 1 Head End DW $500,000 CIP/NFS/?
Instructional
Teacher use Update K-3 Teacher
Laptops DW $230,000 FY13 Operating
Budget
Classroom/ Student use
Expand student technology access at Middle Schools Middle Schools/4 $200,000
FY13 Operating/BC Partnership/PTO
Classroom/ Student use
Projector/Doc Camera to Middle Schools City Wide Middle Schools/4 $91,000 Health Holiday
Classroom/ Student use
Add Document cameras to remaining classrooms with
projection Newton South $30,000 NSF Classroom/ Student use
Replace World Language Lab Newton South $40,000 Health 1 funds
Classroom/ Student use Replace 105 aging
Projectors Newton South $100,000 NSF Classroom/ Student use Media Distribution
Hardware North and South $220,000 CIP/NSF Classroom/ Student use
Complete Projector/Doc Cam Rollout to Elem Classrooms city wide All Elementary $40,000
BC Partnership/PTO/FY
12 Operating Professional Development
Professional Development
Our Newton University (June 2012) DW $40,000
FY12/13 Operating/NSF
NNeewwttoonn PPuubblliicc
SScchhoooollss
NewtonMassachusetts
Designed by Kevin J. Keane • Printed by Graphic Communications Department at Newton North High School