1.1 Vision Statement
2.1. Cite particular successful Goals/Action Steps
2.2. How do you know they were successful?
2.3. Cite goals that were not successful or that are no longer relevant
2.4. Why were they not successful or why they are no longer relevant?
3.1. Goal One: A positive environment for learning that foster high student achievement will be supported with differentiation and technology integration.
3.2. Goal Two: With the support of technology integrating, students’ academic performance improves continually, both individually and collectively.
3.3. Goal Three: There is a clear communication system for school community members that builds and maintains information flow within and between the school community.
3.4. Goal Four: All technology and its infrastructure will be maintained in accordance with best practices in technology management.
Beginning in May of 2005 we were able to purchase a substantial amount of new technology for our school. Funding for technology integration is essential to the future of our state and our students.
The Federal government has given us a mandate through NCLB Enhancing Education Through Technology (E2T2) to use technology to improve student academic achievement and ensure every student is technologically literate by the eighth grade.
It is important to take a proactive role in preparing our students for change. Our focus needs to move away from static content and move toward providing authentic collaborative learning experiences, to develop processing, reasoning, and problem solving skills that will allow students to functionally deal with our rapidly changing environment. Just as technology is playing a crucial role in supporting Vermont’s businesses, it also needs to provide that same supportive role to our students, in the classroom, as they develop these new skills for their future.
The state and federal government has specific educational standards our school follows in educating our students. There are standards for academic content areas as well as for technology. As we have gone through our school curriculum, we believe we cover many of the state and national technology frameworks.
In the year 2009, technology integration has permeated all areas of our classroom curriculum and students are proficient at using current 21st Century technologies to take advantage of the opportunities they provide to improve their learning skills and to demonstrate their understanding.
2.1. Successful Goals/Action Steps
In 2004 our school began a major construction project that involved several new classrooms and refurbishing the existing building. During this construction, the network system was completely redone with current materials, including the installation of a wireless network throughout the building. In 2005 we moved into the new building. We were able to purchase each of the teachers a laptop and 51 computers for the students. Along with these computers, we were able to purchase many other support technology devices like digital projectors, digital cameras, and video scopes that now allow us the opportunity to provide cutting edge learning opportunities for our students. In 2005 we spent a significant amount of time helping students and staff learn how to use these new technologies as tools to support and enhance learning. In 2006 we have reaped the benefit of the training in 2005. Both students and staff are now able to use the various technology tools to support their educational objectives.
2.1.1. Teachers began to use technology in their everyday professional lives and to integrate technology into their classroom curriculum.
2.1.2. In 2005, we improved our technology infrastructure. We were the recipients of a $20,000 Title IID competitive grant. The school board approved the purchase of 55 wireless laptops and 22 desktop computers. The school network system was completely rewired including wireless access throughout the building.
2.1.3. Bradford now has a 3MB cable connection. Bradford continues to benefit from shared access to resources like the FirstClass communication server and OESU laptops provided through a Title IID competitive grant. Additionally this year an OESU server was added to centralize Special Education documents.
2.2. How were they successful?
2.2.1. During the last three years our teaching staff has made significant strides; staff members are proficient using the Internet, Word, and our email/communication system. Staff communication that previously was done on paper is now done electronically. Students receive computer-generated assignments from their teachers. Technology is being integrated into at least one curriculum area in every classroom, kindergarten through sixth grade.
2.2.2. Every student has access to technology at least once a week. Beginning in third grade once a week, students have at least one additional keyboarding class. Students use technology in various ways to complete many of their assignments.
2.3. Goals that were not successful or that are no longer relevant
We were fortunate in that all of our goals were met with at least some measure of success. Yet none were completed.
We need to continue what we have begun and build on these efforts to encourage more use of technology integration to support key curriculum areas, to assist with differentiation, and to augment the teacher’s ability to perform the time-consuming day-to-day tasks that are a reality in all of our classrooms.
2.4. Why were they not successful or why they are no longer relevant?
The major hurdles continue to be time and the need for ongoing training as technology continues to change at a rapid pace.
As described above the history of our success with integrating technology has been our deliberate efforts to identify technology as an embedded component of our entire program. Consequently we took from the school’s five year Strategic Plan those goals related to technology. Technology for technology's sake is of little value to our staff, parents, or student learners. One will notice that our intent is to maximize the utilization of technology into every facet of our educational program.
3.1. Goal One: A positive environment for learning that foster high student achievement will be supported with differentiation and technology integration.
Objective 3.1.1. All Students will demonstrate a high level of independence as learners. This will be accomplished by:
3.1.1.1. Teachers/students will be aware of each student’s individual learning styles and how the class environment and technology integration can be adapted to best facilitate differences in learning.
3.1.1.2. Independence will be achieved as the school culture instructs and expects students to use technology individually or in pairs or small groups or with minimal adult facilitation.
Objective 3.1.2. All teachers will provide instructional opportunities that maximize student engagement.
3.1.2.1. Increased learner investment will be achieved by the use of academic choice and technology integration throughout the curriculum.
3.1.2.2. Students need to be supported to track and communicate their own personal growth and accomplishments using technology.
3.2. Goal Two: Students’ academic performance improves continually, both individually and collectively.
Objective 3.2.1. The Vermont Framework of Standards, accompanying grade expectations, or other appropriate national standards will be utilized to make program improvements in technology.
3.2.1.1. BES School Improvement Team reviews technology assessments results on an annual basis and recommends program improvements through the BES action planning process.
3.2.1.2. Teachers develop learning objectives that integrate technology and are aligned with the student outcomes referenced in this objective.
3.2.1.3. Formative and summative classroom level assessments are developed based on those learning objectives.
Objective 3.2.2. Teachers will modify their instructional practices based on the results of formative and summative assessments as appropriate.
3.2.2.1. School administrators will provide opportunities for technology professional development in support of needed modifications in instructional practice as suggested by a review of assessment data.
3.3. Goal Three: There is a clear communication system for school community members that builds and maintains information flow within and between the school community.
Objective 3.3.1. Establish an effective communication system to help promote a positive learning environment.
3.3.1.1. Technology will be utilized as a viable element of this systemic communication / notification system.
3.3.1.2. Stakeholders will have access in multiple ways to various technologies that will allow them to make inquires into or provide feedback on school programs / policies / initiatives.
Objective 3.3.2. Make assessment data accessible to both internal and external stakeholders.
3.3.2.1. BES website will link users to appropriate tools that will allow multiple stakeholders to view assessment data.
3.3.2.2. BES assessment data will be published widely in multiple forms as it becomes available throughout the year.
3.4. Goal Four: All technology and its infrastructure will be maintained in accordance with best practices in technology management.
Objective 3.4.1. Current technology infrastructure will be regularly evaluated and subsequently maintained in accordance with cutting edge innovation.
Objective 3.4.2. Centralization of technology services will be explored as necessary to ensure effective and efficient use of resources.
4.1 Our technology system can be maintained for a targeted $30,000 a year.
Professional Development $1,500
Infrastructure $2,000
Hardware $14,000
Software $3,000
Consultant & Contracts $3,500
Equipment $4,000
Web Site Development $1,000
Other $1,000