“Meeting the Requirements of Living, Learning and Working in a Changing World”

Approval Date: December 1, 2007

Revised November 21, 2008

NORTH CENTRAL HIGH TECHNOLOGY PLAN

By: Faculty, Staff, and Students of NCHS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction……………………………………………………………………………1-2

Technology Vision and Goals……………………………………………………………3

Overarching  Goal………………………………………………………………………..4

Action Step 1…………………………………………………………………………...4-5

Action Step 2……………………………………………………………………………...6

Action Step 3……………………………………………………………………………...7

Action Step 4…………………………………………………………………………...8-9

Faculty Sign-on……………………………………………………………………...10-13

INTRODUCTION

At North Central High School our Motto is “Teachers teach effectively to ensure that all students learn and succeed.” Because the Faculty and Staff take this motto very seriously we are continuously looking for ways to implement technology into our school and our classrooms. Although we have met many of our original goals with regards to technology, we continue to strive to improve upon both our technological know how as well as our students. We also continue to search for new and improved technology so that our students are prepared for a 21^st Century World and all the technology that comes with this new world.

Because this is an ever changing world with ever changing technology we here at North Central know that we must continue to update our goals as well as our skills so that our students may benefit from our knowledge. By doing this we best serve our school community and our students. This new plan along with our revisions will not only guide us toward a more technological education, but a better planned education, designed to prepare our students for the 21^st Century and the skills they need not only to find jobs, but to survive in this new world.

We see North Central High School as a place of discovery, critical thinking, and understanding. The students are confident in their ability to experience success and accept responsibility for their actions and achievements. They care about themselves and others, and have a sense of responsibility to the community. Our staff is professional, enthusiastic, and caring. Parents are the first teachers and continue to be an integral part of the student’s educational process. Our staff, community, and parents act as positive role models for the students.

We further see the school working in partnership with the community to develop responsible, productive citizens in our technologically advanced and ever changing democratic society.

TECHNOLOGY VISION & GOALS

The technology plan for North Central School is based in the vision that technology is an integral part of the way we work, teach and learn. Use of technology will result in improved productivity, performance and learning for students, administrators, teachers, and district/school staff. Technology will be used to connect North Central students and staff to each other and to the larger world. Our ultimate goal is to improve teaching and learning through the use of technological tools and prepare our students for the work force. The primary goal is not learning about technology but learning with technology through its integration into the existing district outcomes. Maintenance of the technology infrastructure and support systems is necessary to accomplish this vision.

NORTH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

TECHNOLOGY PLAN

2007-2014

OVERARCHING GOAL: All teachers and students will engage in rigorous instruction driven by technology-enriched curricula to realize high levels of academic achievement and performance fostering life-long learning to be able to succeed in an information society.

Action Step 1: Strengthen Leadership

Leaders at all levels will support systemic change through transformational leadership while monitoring effective use of instructional technology which supports standards-based school improvement efforts.

Current Status:

• Programs and instruction meets the individual needs of all students.
• Ongoing assessment of student learning, program results, and staff performance is understood and used to support continuous improvement.
• Information is disseminated at the school level via Blackboard, email, website, Engrade, and facsimile.
• Continually keeping faculty and staff abreast of in-service opportunities that provide training in the effective use of technology in the classroom that will promote highest student achievement.
• The school establishes means by which faculty and staff can provide input for in-service needs.
• The school encourages the use of available technological resources.
• Access to district support and best practice information from a wide variety of resources.
• Continue implementation of Accelerated Reader, Plato, NEO, and Blackboard.

Benchmarks, Target year 2014:

1. In order to achieve our current goals, as expressed in Pathway to the 21^st century, and to meet state standards, the district and school adopted Technology Standards for all students. The standards were derived from previous technological goals and the National Educational Technology Standards for students from the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).

2. The North Central High Technology Standards for all students cover five areas for all students in grades 9-12.

·         Basic technological operations and concepts.

·         Responsible and ethical use of technology.

·         Effective and creative communication with technology.

·         Thinking, learning, and producing with technology.

·         Research, problem-solving, and decision-making using technology.

3. Provide the community with opportunities to become technologically             literate so that they may interact with their children, their children’s teachers and interact with this new and changing society. (Parent Involvement)

Action Step 2: Improve Teacher Training

Teachers will use utilize the district adopted assessment tools to set personal achievement goals for improving their technology and integration skills.

Current Status

• Teachers use their knowledge and skills to create technology-rich learning communities that are not defined by time and space.
• Teachers use information disseminated at the school level via Blackboard, email, website, Engrade, and facsimile.
• Attend training using World Book, Ebsco, and various other training opportunities.
• Attend Technology Academy Workshops offered through the District.
• Enroll in online Professional Development Courses through the district.
• Teachers have access to online assessment data and curricular solutions that addresses student strengths and weaknesses.

Benchmarks, Target Year 2014

1. Teachers conduct annual personal technology and integration skills assessment and revise goals as needed to reach proficient/advanced.

2. Teachers will achieve foundational technology knowledge through high quality staff development opportunities.

3. Teachers will embrace meaningful, curriculum-based, innovative technologies and include them in student learning experiences.

Action Step 3: Support E-Learning and Virtual Schools

With the 21^st Century there has come to educators and students a remarkable opportunity, telecommunications. Telecommunications enables 24-7 access to school learning resources, classroom lessons and assignments, school information for students, parents, staff and community members.

Current Status:

• Access and enroll in the Louisiana TOPS Opportunity Scholarship Core Curriculum through the Louisiana Virtual High School for courses not offered, including Dual Enrollment.
• Enroll in online Professional Development Courses through the district.
• Teachers create a Personal Growth Plan which will include continued technology  development.
• Teachers utilize technology to communicate goals and expectations to students and parents i.e. classroom projection, web pages, Engrade and e-mail.

Benchmarks, Target year 2014

1. Teachers will incorporate instructional delivery strategies that promote collaboration, communication and authentic project-based, inquiry-based, and hands-on learning.

2.  Continue the ongoing assessment of student learning, program results, and staff performance which is understood and used to support continuous improvement.

3. Begin setting a side one class period and provide LVS to students seeking subjects that are not offered and Dual Enrollment/AP Courses.

Action Step 4: Provide Improved Access and Technology Usage

All teachers and students have access to computers. There is at least one computer in each classroom and teachers are encouraged to attend Teacher Technology Systems training, computer training, and curriculum writing workshops.

Current Status:

• 100% of the classrooms have Internet access.
• Assure that all students; staff and site will be provided with and have equal access to minimum standards of hardware and software.
• Provide the learning community with greater opportunity for interaction, collaboration and information exchange.
• Promote equitable access to learning technology as community investments and encourage an active partnership among schools, businesses, homes and the community.
• Encourage the use of multimedia tools enabling students to become active and experiential learners.
• Link the classroom with educational resources within the building, community and worldwide.
• Teachers and students have access to the Internet/World Wide Web through the LAN and must adhere to the School District’s Internet Acceptable Use policy.
• A copy of the multi-media release form that has been signed by a parent/guardian is kept as part of the student’s permanent file.
• Teachers are asked to verify the permission status of their students prior to bringing them to the school’s Computer Lab or the Media Center.
• Currently we have 30 laptops and they are available for checkout. They’re assigned to the Media Center, Reading Specialist and the English Department. They are responsible for securing the laptops.
• Currently we have 30 NEO’s which are assigned to the English Department and other Core Subjects. We also have 30 more NEO’s on the way.

Benchmarks, Target Year 2014

1. All students, teachers and administrators will have access to computers and appropriate connectivity in educational settings.

2. Upgrade, maintain, and purchase equipment necessary for promoting the use of technology across all disciplines.

3. Encourage the use of preparation resources by students, faculty, and parents by making resources available during and after school, i.e. ENGRADE.

4. Address key issues such as equity, facility needs, locations, security of equipment and data, staff development, leadership and budgets for technology.

5. Develop a plan that establishes a continuous annual goal.

6. Consider compatibility issues when considering hardware and software purchases.

7. Provide for current information in the database to teachers and students for career information and training.

8. Database information should focus both on college bound and technical school education.

9. Continue to encourage teacher participation in various technological organizations, i.e., LACUE.

10. Research additional federal, state and corporate grant funding for technology.

11. Provide for the continuous review and evaluation of the district’s technology plan; be prepared to update the plan as often to reflect changing conditions or needs.

12. Utilize the database for administrative and instructional systems incorporating the Louisiana Department of Education and Leap Web, Lap Query System, to understand the goals and objectives of student achievement.

13. Insure that all teachers, staff and students have received, read and understand the District’s Acceptable Use Policy and that a signed affidavit is on file for each teacher staff and students.

14. Survey teachers and students on the effectiveness of technology in the school prior to midterm.

NCHS Technology Sign-On

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