Pittsville Public School District
Technology Plan 2009-2012
Pittsville Public School District
Comprehensive Information Library Media and Technology Plan
2009-2012
This Comprehensive Information (Library Media) and Technology Plan for the Pittsville Public School District is a 3 year plan for the 2009-2012 school years.
Approved by the Pittsville Public School District Board of Education, June 10, 2009
Approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction on:
Contact: Chris Nepper, 715-884-5225,
You can download a Microsoft Word version of this plan at
http://psd.pittsville.k12.wi.us/TechPlan
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
1. Introduction
1.1 Relevant Research and Best Practices
1.2 Information and Technology Vision Statement
1.3 Information and Technology Mission Statement
1.4 Ties to District Mission and Vision Statements
2. Background information
2.1 School District and Community Demographics
2.2 District Information and Technology Team
2.3 Technology Planning Committee Members
2.4 History of the Growth of Technology in the Pittsville School District
2.5 Overview of the Planning Process
2.6 Community Resources and Adult Literacy Providers
3. Current Status and Needs Assessment
3.1 Assessment of Previous Plan’s Goals
3.1.1 Student Proficiency (3.2.1)
3.1.2 Educator Proficiency (3.2.2)
3.1.3 Effective Teaching and Learning Practices (3.2.3)
3.1.4 Access to Information and Learning Tools (3.2.4)
3.1.5 Analysis of Support Systems and Leadership (3.2.5)
3.1.6 Learning Tools (3.3.2)
3.1.7 Instructional Resources – Pittsville School District Library Media Centers (3.3.3)
3.1.7.1 Materials (3.3.3.1)
3.1.7.2 Facilities (3.3.3.2)
3.1.8 Network Infrastructure: Current Status (3.3.4.4)
3.2 Wisconsin Information and Technology Planning Focus Areas
3.2.1 Student Proficiency
3.2.1.1 Current Status
3.2.1.2 Recommendations
3.2.1.3 Goals Objectives
3.2.1.4 Implementation Action Plan
3.2.2 Educator Proficiency
3.2.2.1 Current Status
3.2.2.2 Recommendations
3.2.2.3 Goals & Objectives
3.2.2.4 Implementation Action Plan
3.2.3 Effective Teaching and Learning Practices
3.2.3.1 Current Status
3.2.3.2 Recommendations
3.2.3.3 Goals & Objectives
3.2.3.4 Implementation Action Plan
3.2.4 Access to Information and Learning Tools
3.2.4.1 Current Status
Table of Contents (continued)
3.2.4.2 Recommendations
3.2.4.3 Goals & Objectives
3.2.4.4 Implementation Action Plan
3.2.5 Analysis of Support Systems and Leadership
3.2.5.1 Current Status
3.2.5.2 Recommendations
3.2.5.3 Goals & Objectives
3.2.5.4 Implementation Action Plan
3.3 Information and Technology Resources and Fixed Assets
3.3.1 Alignment of Information and Technology Literacy Standards to Local Curriculum
3.3.2 Learning Tools
3.3.2.1 Current Status
3.3.2.2 Recommendations
3.3.2.3 Goals & Objectives
3.3.2.4 Implementation Action Plan
3.3.3 Instructional Resources – Pittsville School District Library Media Centers
3.3.3.1 Materials
3.3.3.1a ES Materials: Current Status
3.3.3.1b ES Materials: Recommendations
3.3.3.1c ES Materials: Goals & Objectives
3.3.3.1d ES Materials: Implementation Action Plan
3.3.3.1e HS Materials: Current Status
3.3.3.1f HS Materials: Recommendations
3.3.3.2 Facilities
3.3.3.2a ES Facilities: Current Status
3.3.3.2b ES Facilities: Recommendations
3.3.3.2c HS Facilities: Current Status
3.3.3.2d HS Facilities: Recommendations
3.3.3.2e Facilities: Goals & Objectives
3.3.3.2f Facilities: Implementation Action Plan
3.3.3.3 Staffing and Scheduling
3.3.3.3a ES Staffing and Scheduling: Current Status
3.3.3.3b HS Staffing and Scheduling: Current Status
3.3.3.3c Staffing and Scheduling: Recommendations
3.3.3.4 Technology in the District Library Media Centers
3.3.3.4a Technology in the ES LMC: Current Status
3.3.3.4b Technology in the ES LMC: Recommendations
3.3.3.4c Technology in the HS LMC: Current Status
3.3.3.4d Technology in the HS LMC: Recommendations
3.3.3.4e Technology in the HS LMC: Goals & Objectives
3.3.3.4f Technology in the HS LMC: Implementation Action Plan
3.3.3.5 Curriculum
3.3.3.5a Library Information Skills Curriculum: Current Status
3.3.3.5b Library Information Skills Curriculum: Recommendations
Table of Contents (continued)
3.3.4 Telecommunications and Technology Infrastructure, Networking and Connectivity Systems
3.3.4.1 Telecommunications: Current Status
3.3.4.2 Telecommunications: Recommendations
3.3.4.3 Telecommunications: Goals & Objectives
3.3.4.4 Telecommunications: Implementation Action Plan
3.3.4.5 Network Infrastructure: Current Status
3.3.4.6 Network Infrastructure: Recommendations
3.3.4.7 Network Infrastructure: Goals & Objectives
3.3.4.8 Network Infrastructure: Implementation Action Plan
3.4 Adult Technology Literacy
4. Dissemination to Stakeholders
5. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Revision of the Plan
Appendix A – Technology Hardware Inventory
Appendix B – Computer Software Inventory
Appendix C – Proposed Technology Budget Summary
Appendix D – Required District Policies
Appendix E – Research Resources & References
06/12/09 1 Techplan 2009-2012.doc
Pittsville Public School District
Technology Plan 2009-2012
Executive Summary
This Comprehensive Information Library Media and Technology Plan addresses the following areas of concern for the Pittsville School District as determined through surveys of the staff, students, and community, a network assessment done by an outside consulting firm, as well as through an examination of test scores, 8th grade ITLS benchmark results and other informal assessments:
Student Proficiency – addresses updating/integrating Wisconsin’s ITL Standards at both the HS & ES, and developing technology rich units & assessments based on those standards.
Educator Proficiency – addresses training & Inservice programs relating to technology integration teams, staff collaboration, and developing the use of new technologies
Effective Teaching and Learning Practices – addresses best practices with technology in classrooms, training for technologies like SMARTBoards and BIG6/Super3 research models
Access to Information Resources and Learning Tools – addresses Internet access, Internet safety, virtual access & distance learning potentials, wireless access, and providing more computers (netbooks) to increase student access to computer, network, Internet & information resources
Analysis of Support Systems and Leadership – addresses the planning and staff development necessary to integrate 21st Century Skills into our instruction, plus the assessments and preparations to support technology in the next 3 year plan.
Learning Tools – addresses maintaining and updating current hardware & software, plus provides for investments in any future technologies which may be proven effective in education & learning in the future
Instructional Resources – addresses the facilities, status, needs & recommendations for our Library Media Centers
Telecommunications Technology Infrastructure, Networking Connectivity Systems – addresses our telecommunications & network/infrastructure needs
This 3 year plan makes specific recommendations for budgeting, staff development and training, student performance, improvements to our LMCs, as well as hardware, software, Internet access, and network infrastructure.
1. Introduction
The Pittsville Public School District Comprehensive Information and Technology Plan provides guidelines for the systematic acquisition, maintenance and effective use of state-of-the-art technologies, curriculum integration and staff development regarding the use of technology in the classroom. This three-year plan focuses on the effective integration of technology to improve student performance and enable the students of Pittsville to compete in an information-based global economy as life-long learners and problem solvers. The plan is designed to enhance the teaching and learning process on an interactive and equitable basis for all students in the district. The plan is consistent with guidelines set forth in the State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s Information and Technology Planning Model, 2008.
1.1 Relevant Research and Best Practices
The Information and Technology Planning Committee examined the results and recommendations of the LoTi and Speak Up 2008 surveys, which students, staff, and district residents completed in early 2009. The committee also looked at data from our elementary school ITLS benchmark records, the recommendations of a network assessment completed by Skyward IT Services, as well as informal summaries, assessments and observations to determine our current strengths and weaknesses in the areas of:
· student and educator proficiency
· effective teaching and learning practices
· access to information resources and learning tools
· support systems and leadership
· information and technology resources and fixed assets.
As part of the initial planning process members of the Committee reviewed various information and technology studies relating to relevant research and best practices as provided by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. The research findings were then used to set forth the goals outlined in this Plan.
1.2 Information and Technology Vision Statement
The Pittsville School District believes that information and technology skills are essential for the development of life-long learners who are competitive in the global community of the 21st century. Students and staff will employ technology and information resources based on current research and best practices to enhance the overall learning experience. We will provide up-to-date technology, information resources, and training to students and staff to facilitate learning, resource sharing, innovation, and communication.
1.3 Information and Technology Mission Statement
The Pittsville Public School District will use technology and information resources to empower each student through his/her own efforts and the efforts of parents, educational staff, and the community, to be lifelong learners capable of adapting to change while making a positive contribution in the global community. By embedding Wisconsin’s Information and Technology Literacy Standards along with Wisconsin’s other Model Academic Standards into our curriculum, students will be provided with the resources, skills and opportunities needed for success in the 21st century. These skills include accessing and effectively using information, researching, problem-solving, and decision-making, which are all essential to developing higher level thinking. Learning will be improved, options enhanced, and access to global resources increased through partnerships and collaborative efforts of classroom teachers, library media and technical support staff, and members of the community.
1.4 Ties to District Vision and Mission Statements
The Pittsville School District’s Mission Statement reads, “The mission of the Pittsville Public Schools is to enable each student through his/her own efforts and the efforts of parents, educational staff, and the community to be a lifelong learner, capable of adapting to change while making a positive contribution in the global community.”
The Information and Technology Committee used the District’s Mission Statement as the foundation for the creation of the Information and Technology Mission Statement, building on the base statement to create a more detailed reference to the mission of the District in relation to technology and information use.
2. Background Information
2.1 School District and Community Demographics
The School District of Pittsville is a small, rural school district located in the geographic center of Wisconsin. The District service area is comprised of parts of three counties including Jackson, Wood, and Clark. The District is more than 500 square miles in size. The District's physical facilities include two school buildings, an elementary school serving approximately 432 pre-kindergarten - eighth grade students and a four-year high school serving approximately 219 students. Both facilities are located in the City of Pittsville, Wisconsin. The community is primarily middle income with a strong agricultural base as well as industrial and professional employment. Approximately 30% of the students attending Pittsville schools are considered low income based on data gathered for the federal free and reduced school lunch program. The community is primarily Caucasian with less than 1% of the population representing racial minorities.
2.2 District Information and Technology Team
The District Information and Technology Team consists of the District Technology Coordinator, Chris Nepper; the District Administrator, Terry Reynolds; the High School Principal, John Olig; the Elementary Principal, Joann Sondelski; the District Library Media Specialist, Gloria Young; and the District Finance Director, Jeffrey Gast.
2.3 Technology Planning Committee Members
Terry Reynolds, District Administrator / Carmen Kumm, High School TeacherChris Nepper, District Technology Coordinator / Jenny Storlie, High School Teacher
John Olig, High School Principal / Tammie Cramer, District Health Director
Joann Sondelski, Elementary School Principal / Alex Zdun, district resident
Gloria Young, District Library Media Specialist / Katie Marten, district resident
Jodie Sanken, Junior High Teacher / Ken Freedlund, district resident
John Downs, High School Teacher / Liana Oleson, district resident
Kristine Doering, Art Teacher / Tina Ellis Coyle, district resident
2.4 History of the Growth of Technology in the Pittsville School District
Computer technology began in the Pittsville Public School District in the early and mid-1980s when the district acquired several stand-alone Apple IIe and Apple IIc computers along with a varied but limited selection of software. In 1988 the District business office was computerized with the installation of a single computer. In 1990 the district installed its first lab with 25 IBM 286 computers at the high school. In 1993 a computer committee consisting of teachers and the principal of the elementary school met to select computers and an operating system for the first computer lab at the elementary school. The IBM format was chosen over Apple and 35 IBM Model 30 Eduquest computers were acquired along with a variety of educational software. In 1994 an IBM/Novell network was installed for the district’s administration. Also in that year the Pittsville School Board formed an ad hoc Computer Committee to formulate an Information Technology and Telecommunications Plan for the Pittsville School District.
The plan was approved in April, 1995 with a four phase implementation sequence. The plan called for a complete district-wide LAN with 2 computer labs in each building, 4 drops in each classroom, 3 student workstations and 1 teacher workstation in each classroom. The plan was completed in 1998. In 1997 the District hired a Technology Coordinator to oversee all aspects of technology in the district. In the summer of 1999, the business office server and software was upgraded and connected to the District’s LAN.
Since then the District has been concentrating on upgrading and maintaining software, computers, servers, printers, network and other equipment rather than on expanding the network. Emphasis has been on developing digital video recording and editing capabilities and expanding the use of technology in classrooms through staff development and training opportunities, as well as efforts to integrate/align our curricula to Wisconsin’s Model Academic Standards for Information & Technology Literacy, which was completed during the 2005-6 school year in the elementary school. Also completed during the 2005-6 school year was the upgrading of our student records software to STI and the opening up of Web access to allow teachers, students and parents access to grading information.
In 2008 the district started investing in SMARTBoard technology to bring the educational benefits of interactive whiteboards to the classroom. A group of teachers participated in a program provided through a Title IId grant program in conjunction with a consortium of schools within CESA5 to train teachers in the use of SMARTBoards and to facilitate the development of technology rich units. Those efforts will continue over the next several years with additional training provided by the district’s own SMART certified instructor.
Beginning in 2009 the district began to explore the possibility of investing in cheap netbook type computers to bring more on-demand access to computers, the Internet, information and other resources to students and teachers. The district also renewed its commitment to focus on the 21st Century Skills that our students will need in order to thrive in the world of tomorrow.