SCS District Technology & Learning Implementation Plan

The 2009-2010 school year is my fifth year working as a highly-qualified math teacher with Shelby County School (SCS) District.  Kitty Hildebrand is the Technology Coordinator and head of the Technology Department for SCS.  She works under the direction of District Webmaster, Robert LaBonia, and alongside school principals to ensure that staff and students have access to, and support for, technology.  Additionally, each school has an assigned technology team readily available to assist teachers in teaching technology in the classroom and to promptly troubleshoot technological problems.

All professional development (PD) core and technology classes are overseen by the District and implemented through the Technology Department. Educators are required to take a core number of (PD) classes, which coincide with their area of instructional specialty and/or administrative duties; in addition, educators select from numerous ongoing classes to maintain continuous learning about new technology.  Technology classes are scheduled by educators online, through "My Learning Plan," on a regular basis throughout the calendar year.   Classes are offered both during in-service and after school on a continual basis.  Teachers and administrators have access to Web site, PD360, which offers on-demand professional development and instructional videos; this site also serves as a forum for educators across the country to join groups (i.e. middle school math), in order to share knowledge and experience.

SCS advocates the use of technology in every school in the District and budgets for the technological equipment, maintenance, and supporting cost not discounted through E-Rate and as prescribed by the Technology & Learning Implementation Plan 2010-2014.  The PTSA at each school, through fund-raising, provides additional resources for technology as needed.  Many teachers purchase their own supplies, in order to pool discretionary funds and purchase technology (i.e., an Interwrite Mobi or a set of classroom clickers).

The vision of SCS is to strive to support an instructional model that empowers students to use technology in ways that deepen their understanding of academic content and prepare them for the digital age in which we live.  Our Technology & Learning Implementation Plan goals are to provide and maintain: 1. equipment; 2. quality instructional software; 3. a high-speed data network; 4. and implement a District Student Information System (SIS); 5. and expand Business Information Systems (APECS); 6. community support and funding sources for technology; 7. equipment and software and to provide technical support; 8. and support teachers as they integrate technology into the curriculum; 9. professional development; 10. and enhance communication; and, lastly, 11. accountability.

Some of the many important strategies of the Technology Plan are as follows:  Teachers are to "promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility."  As prescribed by the District, teachers are to promote and demonstrate the effective use of digital tools and resources, as well as model lifelong learning.  Teachers are to engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems through the use of digital tools and resources.  Teachers are to design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessments incorporating contemporary tools and resources.  The ISTE Grade Band Summary Rubrics are used to monitor progress as students move, with teachers as their models, toward mastery of technology skills.  8th graders are tested for demonstration of mastery of technology.

The technology goals are accomplished through ongoing action steps written into the Technology Plan, which include monitoring student progress during the school year through online evaluative testing services provided by Discovery Education.  The ensuing instruction is then guided by the test results, enabling administrators and educators to target specific performance indicators for all students.  At-risk or low-performing students are identified and given priority computer access to CompassLearning Odyssey, a Web-based curriculum that engages students through online reading and math software designed to enhance student performance.  Additionally, Robert LaBonia, District Webmaster, is responsible for gathering statistical information for the District as it directly affects student achievement.

SCS's administration, teachers, and parents have access to PowerTeacher, a Web-based program which allows educators to facilitate differentiated instruction, administer formative assessment, and provide parents, students, and all stake-holders real-time access to student assignments, grades, and progress toward each standard.  Teachers, literally at the touch of a button, have access to student demographics, standards, rubrics, and grade scales.  This program facilitates ease of communication between parents and teachers and is backed up regularly by a centralized and school-based servers, which are available for administrative functions and teacher document storage.  The SCS technology system is protected by regularly-updated virus protection and encrypted passwords, safeguarding all automatically backed-up data, and ensuring teachers, administrators, and parents confidentiality.

The SCS Technology Plan can be access at the following website:

Shelby County School District Technology Plan