ETEC630

Amite Elementary School Faculty Development Plan

Our Vision

The vision at Amite Elementary School is to provide a safe, nurturing, learning environment in which all students can achieve personal academic excellence. The faculty, staff and administration are committed to providing students with technology-rich educational experiences which will help them to become life-long learners and productive citizens of our community.

Our Mission

Amite Elementary will encourage students to become life-long learners and productive citizens through the use of technology-rich educational experiences. The faculty at Amite Elementary will become technologically advanced through professional development training programs. The faculty will incorporate technology into the classroom in order to promote student achievement. The administration will take an active role in the support of teacher training. The administration will also ensure that equipment is functional and adequate. Parents/community leaders will volunteer time, services, and monetary gains to community schools and encourage and motivate students to excel academically.

Curriculum Integration

Goal 1: Technology will be integral to standards-based student learning and school improvement.

Objective 1: Technology will be integrated into the teaching and learning environment as defined in the school improvement plans.

Action Plan	Person (s) Responsible	Outcome/ Evidence	Timeline
Teachers will be encouraged to integrate technology into classroom instruction by using the resources from the Louisiana Center for Educational Technology K-12 Online Database (this includes World Book and Gale Group). The following are also excellent online resources: Unitedstreaming, ThinkQuest, Making Connections (has Louisiana standards for technology already referenced), and Marco Polo.	Teachers Administrator	1.Teacher evaluations 2.Lesson plans 3.Student evaluations 4.School Improvement Plan 5. Observations made by administrator	ongoing
Students will complete a "student survey" so teacher can identify levels of competency with technology. Teachers will then allow students to utilize appropriate technology (i.e., computers, internet, online database, digital cameras, digital video cameras, scanners, flex cameras, on-line educational software, etc) based on experience and will work with students who are not as familiar with such equipment. This use of technology is to directly correlate with classroom lessons.	Teachers Students	1. Student work samples 2. Computer log of students activities	ongoing
Students will use Thinking Maps software in order to encourage higher level thinking.	Teachers Students	1. Student work samples	ongoing

Objective 2: Students will use age appropriate technology to conduct research, to solve problems, to analyze data, to collaborate, and to communicate with experts and peers.

Action Plan	Person(s) Responsible	Outcome/ Evidence	Timeline
In the computer lab the technology facilitator will teach students how to evaluate the credibility of websites and their information. Students will only visit sites that are pre-selected by the technology facilitator.	Technology Facilitator Students	1. Lesson plans 2. Student activity sheets 3. Students work samples/finished products	ongoing
Students will be given time and access to computers for research purposes during computer class (weekly) and designated research time in the classroom.	Teachers Technology Facilitator Students	1. Lesson Plans 2. Computer log of students activities 3. Student work samples/finished products	ongoing
Students will utilize Blackboard for collaboration and communication purposes concerning research being conducted. Students will be allowed access during lab time, designated class time and home.	Technology Facilitator Teacher Students Parents	1. Blackboard records 2. Computer log of students activities 3. Student work samples/finished products.	ongoing

Objective 3: Include in the school improvement plan criteria for evaluating software and online resources based on state/national/district content standards and state-adopted technology standards.

Action Plan	Person(s) Responsible	Outcome/Evidence	Timeline
In the computer lab the technology facilitator will teach students how to evaluate the credibility of websites and their information. Students will only visit sites that are pre-selected by the technology facilitator.	Technology Facilitator Students	1. Lesson plans 2. Student activity sheets 3. Students work samples/finished products	ongoing
In the computer lab the technology facilitator will teach students how to evaluate software. The facilitator will provide software and criteria for review by students.	Technology Facilitator Students	1. Lesson Plans 2. Students activity sheets	ongoing

Objective 4: Students will use supplementary programs to enhance self-paced learning. ( AR, Starfall, Headsprout)

Action Plan	Person(s) Responsible	Outcome/Evidence	Timeline
Students will check out and read Accelerated Reader books. Students will take AR tests on-line. Students will be able to immediately see their scores. Students will be allowed to access AR before class time, at designated times during class as well as in the computer lab.	Administrator Librarian Teachers Students	1. Accelerated Reader printouts 2. Standardized test scores	ongoing
Students will be allowed to access Starfall and Headsprout on-line software. This access will be allowed during designated class time as well as computer lab time.	Teachers Students	1. Computer log of students activities 2. Student scores for Headsprout 3. Standardized test scores 4. DIBELS scores	ongoing

Objective 5: Students, educators, and parents will use technology as a communication tool linking school, family and community via e-mail, web pages and telephone messaging tools.

Action Plan	Person(s) Responsible	Outcome/ Evidence	Timeline
Technology Facilitator will keep the Amite Elementary website up-to-date. Teachers will have parents complete a parent survey to determine their level of technology and encourage them to visit the school's website to keep current with up coming events.	Technology Facilitator Parents	1. Number of hits on the school website 2. Newsletters with website address	Beginning of the year and ongoing
Teachers will attend a web design workshop. The workshop will be offered at the district level. The workshop will aid teachers in developing and maintaining a working web page for their classes.	Teachers Technology Facilitator District Level Technology Coordinator	1. Number of hits on the web pages. 2. Newsletters with teachers' URLs	Offered on an as needed basis.
Teachers will design and maintain a class web page. The page will be used to keep parents informed of classroom activities and general information.	Teachers Parents	1. Number of hits on the classroom web page. 2. Newsletters with website address	ongoing
Teachers will communicate via e-mail with parents, cohorts, administrator and district level staff who have internet access.	Teachers Parents Administrator	1. E-mail records	ongoing
Due to the high volume of calls received on a daily basis, office staff will be trained and will utilize voice messaging services. This service will be for the purposes of responding quickly to parent phone calls and to eliminate the usage of hand-written paper messages.	Office Staff Administrator	1. Voice message records	ongoing

Professional Development

Goal 1: All teachers will have access to ongoing professional development that prepares them to effectively use and integrate technology into the curriculum to enhance standards-based teaching and learning.
Objective 1: Teachers will engage in professional development activities that demonstrate how to integrate digital content into their standards-based educational objectives and how to develop appropriate assessment measures to evaluate this benchmark.

Action Plan	Person(s) Responsible	Outcome/ Evidence	Timeline	Budget
The technology facilitator will conduct a needs assessment survey of the faculty and staff in order to determine the current technological knowledge and skill level of the individuals on the faculty. Faculty will be placed into groups based on skill level. The technology facilitator will develop training at the school level to meet the needs of the varied groups. Teachers will then write and implement lessons which integrate technology into daily lessons.	Teachers Administrator Technology Facilitator	1. Documentation from trainings. 2. Lesson plans which demonstrate the integration of digital content.	At least 2 trainings through out the first year. One update training each year thereafter.	none
Form a technology team which will include the following persons: administrator, technology facilitator, one teacher from each ability level group, at least one parent, and a community partner who is willing to support the technology program at AES. This group will meet to discuss the current needs at AES regarding technology. They will also research best practices, hardware and software. The team will decide how to best serve the needs of the faculty.	Technology Team: Administrator, Technology Facilitator, a Teacher from each group, Parent(s), Community partner(s)	1. Beginning of the year survey. 2. Minutes from meetings. 3. End of the year surveys.	Continuous on a yearly basis. Meetings are to be held no less than once per 6 weeks. Meetings may be held more often as deemed necessary by the team.	none
All teachers will complete TangiTech 1 and at least 50% of teachers will complete TangiTech 2. Administrator will seek funding for substitutes.	Teachers Administrator	1. Documentation showing completion of the course(s).	This goal is to be completed by the end of year 3.	Technology Funds
The technology facilitator will inform and encourage teachers to attend trainings held at the parish and state levels. The facilitator is generally the person to whom the information is distributed, therefore it is her responsibility to disburse the needed information to the faculty.	Technology Facilitator	1. E-mail correspondences between district and state personnel. 2. E-mail correspondences to faculty.	ongoing	Technology Funds
Grade-level teachers will be required to collaborate and design assessment tools (rubrics, checklists, performance indicators, etc.) to measure students' achievement and/or strengths/weaknesses.	Teachers Administrators Technology Facilitator	1. Documentation from trainings. 2. Lesson plans which show appropriate and useful assessment methods. 3. Rubrics/ checklists/ assessments	At least 2 trainings through out the first year. One update training each year thereafter.	none

Objective 2: Teachers will model effective strategies to maximize the benefits of classroom learning with technology.

Action Plan	Person(s) Responsible	Outcome/ Evidence	Timeline	Budget
Teachers will be required to keep a student log of activity at computer stations. Students can become responsible for logging their own work time. This should be monitored by the teacher for accuracy.	Teachers Students	1. Student activity logs 2. Students reports generated from software.	ongoing	none
Teachers will demonstrate the ability to choose appropriate technology to be used with classroom lessons.	Teachers Administrators	Lesson plans	ongoing	none

Objective 3: Teachers will be trained in software that uses technology to perform administrative tasks efficiently: e.g. digital records, such as electronic grade books, IEP Maker, attendance, planning, grade books, etc.

Action Plan	Person(s) Responsible	Outcome/ Evidence	Timeline	Budget
Teachers will attend trainings given at the parish and local school level. Teachers will be trained to use programs which will benefit them and make daily tasks more efficient.	Teachers Administrators Technology Facilitator District Technology Director	1. Class role and grades recorded electronically and stored so that they can be viewed electronically. 2. IEP's developed electronically and stored so that they can be viewed through the intranet. 3. Lesson plans developed and stored electronically so that they can be viewed through the intranet.	As often as trainings are offered by the district.	Title II Funds

Objective 4: Teachers will be provided professional development designed to prepare them to integrate technology into classroom instruction.

Action Plan	Person(s) Responsible	Outcome/ Evidence	Timeline	Budget
Teachers will attend various TangiTech workshops throughout the year. Several teachers will be chosen to attend Louisiana INTECH. These teachers will become trainers at AES. (Administrator will seek funding for substitutes and registration fees.)	1. Faculty 2. Staff 3. Technology resource teacher	1. Certificates and information packets from workshops. 2. Faculty/staff meetings. 3. Teacher portfolios	ongoing	Title II Funds

Objective 5: Amite Elementary technology facilitator will participate in the national and state technology professional organizations to ensure collaboration with other states to assist in maximizing resources.

Action Plan	Person(s) Responsible	Outcome/ Evidence	Timeline	Budget
The technology facilitator will attend and/or participate in LACUE and ISTE. Administrator will seek available funds to help pay registration fees and memberships.	1. Technology facilitator 2. Administrator	1. Membership records 2. Presentations/ collaboration of new ideas with faculty.	ongoing	Technology Funds

Goal 2: The school will provide continuous leadership, guidance, and resources to faculty to meet the rise and demand of educational technology.
Objective 1: Amite Elementary School will continue to work with the two regional technology leadership centers in Region II as well as TPSS district staff to promote and expand technology initiatives.

Action Plan	Person(s) Responsible	Outcome/ Evidence	Timeline	Budget
Region II and the Tangipahoa Parish district staff will provide support to Amite Elementary in the way of guidance, leadership and specialists in the field of technology.	Region II staff District level staff Administrator	1. TLTC monthly report and calendars 2. End of year report for each region 3. Web site for each TLTC	ongoing	none

Objective 2: Form partnerships to ensure collaboration with various education entities to ensure that initiatives and policies across PreK-4 maximize the effective use of educational technology.

Action Plan	Person(s) Responsible	Outcome/ Evidence	Timeline	Budget
The administrator/technology facilitator at AES will form partnerships with other schools within the Tangipahoa School district, other school districts, and Southeastern Louisiana University's Department of Educational Leadership and Technology via some type of correspondence (e-mail, phone, letters, etc.) and planning meetings.	AES administrator/ technology facilitator	1. Faculty meetings and/or correspondence to inform teachers of collaboration.	ongoing	none

Administration

Goal 1: Building administrator will demonstrate leadership in the use of technology to support standards-based school improvement.
Objective 1: Educational administrator will facilitate and assess the integration of technology and curriculum in instruction.

Action Plan	Person(s) Responsible	Outcome/ Evidence	Timeline
School administrator will receive annual in-service training in new and emerging technology for integration into the curriculum.	Administrator District Tech Director	ISTE National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS)	ongoing
Encourage principals'/administrators' attendance at LEADTech.	Administrator District Tech Director	LEADTech participation	ongoing

Objective 2: Educational administrator will provide opportunities for continuous professional development and ongoing systematic mentoring to support use of technology in teaching and learning.

Action Plan	Person(s) Responsible	Outcome/ Evidence	Timeline
Administrators will attend various workshops/training on the effective use of technology and will share new/inventive ideas with faculty.	Administrator Technology facilitator	1. School improvement plans 2. Participation in TangiTech 3. Other workshops and seminars	ongoing

Objective 3: Educational administrator will routinely model appropriate use of technology resources to support administrative and instructional functions.

Action Plan	Person(s) Responsible	Outcome/ Evidence	Timeline
Administrator will demonstrate the effective use of electronic communication by utilizing email, assisting in the development of or maintenance of school webpage or personal portfolio, and accessing data collection (grades, absence reports, etc.).	Administrator	1. Up-to-date school webpage 2. Portfolio 3. E-mail	ongoing

Objective 4: Educational administrators who design instructional budgets will provide for technology hardware, software licenses, connectivity, technical assistance, maintenance, digital content, and professional development.

Action Plan	Person(s) Responsible	Outcome/ Evidence	Timeline
Administrator will complete an "administrator's survey" will help to develop school budgets and acquire funding for technology hardware, site-licensing connectivity, technical assistance, maintenance, digital content, and professional development.	Administrator	1. Budget reports 2. School technology plans	ongoing
Pursue educational technology funding for PreK-4.	Administrator	1. Budget reports 2. Acquisition of hardware/software	ongoing

Objective 5: Educational administrator will use a variety of technologies (e-mail, voice technologies, unified messaging, school intranet) to communicate with stakeholders.

Action Plan	Person(s) Responsible	Outcome/ Evidence	Timeline
Develop a system of communication that supports the effective use of electronic communication such as unified messaging, email, and BlackBoard collaboration with stakeholders.	Administrator	1. System activity logs	ongoing

Objective 6: Educational administrator will support, evaluate, coordinate, and modify their school technology plans annually to maximize financial resources and to address "state of the art" curriculum standards.

Action Plan	Person(s) Responsible	Outcome/ Evidence	Timeline
Administrator will meet annually with technology committee to review/revise school technology plans as needed.	Administrator Technology Committee	1. End-of-year reports 2. Revised Technology plans	ongoing

Community Involvement

Goal 1: Partnerships will be developed with key education stakeholders to maximize the effective use of technology resources.

Objective 1: Amite Elementary School will develop formal partnerships with local businesses. These partnerships will focus on school improvement, technology integration, and collaboration with the School Improvement Team.

Action Plan	Person(s) Responsible	Outcome/ Evidence	Timeline
AES will form partnerships with local businesses and inform them of the importance and benefits of technology in the schools. Businesses will complete a school community survey indicating their incolvement with helping to support technology.	Administrator Technology facilitator Teachers	1. School improvement plans 2. Formal documentation in the form of letters	ongoing
Develop materials in print, video, and electronic formats to inform businesses on how they can assist financially with improving school improvement and integrating technology.	Administrator Technology facilitator	1. Acquisition of funding for hardware/ software	ongoing

Goal 2 : All stakeholders will be made aware of key proceedings and opportunities that impact educational technology as it relates to standards based school improvement.

Objective 1: Amite Elementary School will have an up-to-date website with links to the Louisiana Department of Education website.

Action Plan	Person(s)/ Responsible	Outcome/ Evidence	Timeline
The technology facilitator will continuously update the schools' website providing key information to stakeholders in the community as it relates to school improvement and the impact of technology.	Technology facilitator	URL Addresses	ongoing

Objective 3: Educators will have an e-mail account and capabilities of accessing the World Wide Web.

Action Plan	Person(s) Responsible	Outcome/ Evidence	Timeline
Educators will have an active e-mail account which will be used for professional communication between stakeholders.	Administrator Technology facilitator Teachers	Exchange server data	ongoing
Educators will have full access to the WWW to provide another efficient and effective communication tool.	Administrator Technology facilitator Teachers	Exchange server data	ongoing

Infrastructure

Goal 1: All learners will have access to current and appropriate technology resources.
Objective 1: Each classroom will have a 4:1 student to computer ratio of multimedia, fully functioning, Internet enabled computers.

Action Plan	Person(s) Responsible	Outcome/ Evidence	Timeline
Provide adequately equipped classrooms to meet the needs of students and increasing the number of classroom drops for internet accessibility as needed.	Administrator Tech Facilitator	Annual student-to-computer ratio data

Objective 2: Appropriate assistive/adaptive technology will be available to address the unique requirements of students with special needs.

Action Plan	Person(s) Responsible	Outcome/ Evidence	Timeline
Classrooms will be adequately equipped to accommodate students with special needs.	Administrator Teacher	1. Individual Educational Plans (IEP) 2. Pupil appraisal assessment

Objective 3: Teachers and students will have access to a variety of electronic resources including digital video and photography, calculators, scanners, palm pilots, etc.

Action Plan	Person(s) Responsible	Outcome/ Evidence	Timeline
Contingent upon yearly district funding and as other funding becomes available, administrator will purchase additional equipment for teacher/student accessibility.	Administrator Tech Facilitator	End of the year surveys of electronic resources

Objective 4: Students will use software packages including productivity software and other software that promotes open-ended reasoning and higher-order thinking skills.

Action Plan	Person(s) Responsible	Outcome/ Evidence	Timeline
Software which promotes open-ended reasoning and HOT skills will be used to increase the infusion of technology. (Thinking Maps)	Administrator Tech Facilitator	1. Student portfolios 2. Tech survey for students	ongoing

Objective 5: School will disseminate and post the Technology Acceptable Use Policy.

Action Plan	Person(s) Responsible	Outcome/ Evidence	Timeline
Administrator will meet with faculty to explain the Acceptable Use Policy and how it should be implemented. Faculty will forward appropriate correspondence to parents of this policy.	Administrator Teachers	Acceptable Use Policy on the web and signed acknowledgement from parents.

Objective 6: Pre K-4 teachers will receive instructional technology support on an on-going basis from a technology facilitator located at the school site. This person will assist in the achievement of technology competency and integration of technology into the curriculum as well as assisting teachers with hardware issues.

Action Plan	Person(s) Responsible	Outcome/ Evidence	Timeline
Provide opportunities for teachers to enhance their educational technology knowledge and skills by developing professional programs and providing an on-site technology facilitator for assistance.	Administrator	1. Faculty professional development training 2. School improvement plans

Evaluation:

The technology and professional development plan for Amite Elementary School will be assessed through several means. Some ways in which we evaluate our progress are: survey results, lesson plans, classroom observations, technology team documentation, workshop evaluation sheets, teacher created web pages and teacher and parent feedback.

Resources and Links:

Amite Elementary School

Louisiana Center for Educational Technology K-12 Online Database

Needs Assessment Survey

Student Activity Log

Louisiana INTECH