REQUIRED SUBSTANTIVE COMPONENTS OF THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT TECHNOLOGY PLAN

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Page | 1 REQUIRED SUBSTANTIVE COMPONENTS

OF THE

LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT TECHNOLOGY PLAN

Schools, school districts, and libraries that want to apply for Schools and Libraries support, commonly referred to as "E-Rate," must first prepare a technology plan. Beginning with FY2011, technology plans are required only for Priority 2 services (Internal Connections and Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections). An approved technology plan sets out how information technology and telecommunications infrastructure will be used to achieve educational goals, specific curriculum reforms, or library service improvements.

A technology plan designed to improve education should cover the entire funding year (July 1 to June 30) but not more than three years. The plan must contain the following elements:

Goals and realistic strategy for using telecommunications and information technology A professional development strategy

An assessment of telecommunication services, hardware, software, and other services needed Ongoing evaluation process

Policies

The technology plan must be approved by a USAC-certified technology plan approver before discounted services can begin. The state is the certified technology plan approver for libraries and public schools. www.usac.org, August, 2011.

LEA/Charter Name: Gaston County Schools

LEA/Charter Number: 360

Superintendent Name: W. Jeffrey Booker

Superintendent Signature:

Local Board Chair Name: Mr. Kenneth R. Lutz

Local Board Chair Signature:

Person of Contact: Cindee Matson, CTO

Telephone: 704-866-6225

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Page | 2

Gaston County Schools

Technology Plan

2014-2016

Draft November 2013

Final July 2014

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Page | 3 Table of Contents

Vision Page 05

Strategic Priorities Overview Page 06

Priority 1: Shared Services Model Page 07

Priority 2: Universal Access to Personal Teaching and Learning Devices Page 11 Priority 3: Access to Digital Teaching and Learning Resources, Including Digital

Textbooks Page 16

Priority 4: Model of Technology-Enabled Professional Development Page 20

Priority 5: 21st Century Leadership for Your LEA Page 28

Appendices Page 33

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Page | 4 Gaston County Schools

Technology Planning Committee/MTAC

Member Job Title/Position

Jeff Booker Melissa Balknight John Tutterow Dixie Abernathy Mark Hollar Cindee Matson Superintendent

Assistant Superintendent-Student Support Services Assistant Superintendent-Human Resources Assistant Superintendent-Elementary Education Assistant Superintendent-Secondary Education Chief Technology Officer

Roxie Miller Assistant Chief Technology Officer

Chris Hall Administrative Technology Manager

Curtis Poplin Patricia Pruitt Sandra Engbarth Carrie Minnich Tammy Mims

Network Systems Manager IT Operations Manager

Instructional Technology Facilitator

Executive Director, Elementary Instruction Curriculum Facilitator

Marilyn Dedmon Facilitator of Professional Learning Denise McLean Principal, Highland School of Technology Rebecca Huffstetler Principal, Southwest Middle School Bill Kessler

Laura Long Debbie Eaddy Robin Jordan

Principal, Robinson Elementary School Media, Kiser Elementary

Teacher/Systems Operator Teacher

Leigh Herman Teacher

Reis Clark Ralph Miller Melanie Rice Laura Clark Student Student Parent Parent

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Page | 5 Gaston County Schools Technology Plan

2014-2016 Vision Statement

Vision Statement

Gaston County Schools will enable educators to effectively leverage purposeful, portable, and personal technology in our global learning community, guiding students to become intrigued, completely consumed, and actively engaged lifelong learners.

Gaston County Schools is committed to providing rigor, relevance, and relationships leading to globally competitive students. Technology should be utilized as a resource for digital teaching and learning focused on meeting the individual needs of students. The mission of Gaston County Schools is to provide quality educational opportunities to ensure student success and a lifetime of learning.

The implementation of the Gaston County Schools vision begins with the creation of a robust network comprised of first-class connectivity and scalable internal connections. Upon completion of the build-out of the wireless infrastructure, a Bring You Own Device (BYOD) environment will be implemented that will enable all users to experience a filtered Internet environment with their personal computing devices.

No longer will professional development (PD) take place just for the sake of PD, but will enrich the teaching and learning environment by having a natural, seamless blending of technology and the curriculum. A comprehensive professional development plan will be enacted to support the infusion of technology within the learning environment. Instructional Technology Facilitators and Curriculum Facilitators will meet with PLCs to help develop lesson plans infused with technology. They will co-teach with classroom teachers as needed to build confidence in seamless integration of technology. They will then reflect and evaluate with the teachers and report back to administrators on successes and failures of integration and increased skill levels of students and teachers.

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Page | 6 Gaston County Schools Technology Plan

Strategic Priorities 2014 - 2016

Shared Services Model

Universal Access to Personal Teaching and Learning Devices

Access to Digital Teaching and Learning Resources, Including Digital Textbooks Model of Technology-Enabled Professional Development

21st Century Leadership for Your LEA/Charter

Strategic Priorities Overview:

Gaston County Schools Strategic Plan ensures equitable opportunities for each child as is mandated in the Constitution of North Carolina, in Article VII, “…equal opportunities shall be provided for all students.” All funds, including technology funds from the local, state and federal sources are designated to meet the needs of all children in the district.

Research and participation in North Carolina’s Shared Services Model and building our

infrastructure to provide universal access to personal teaching and learning devices will help us prepare our students to communicate, collaborate, analyze, create, innovate, and solve problems; all of which are labeled as essential skills for students to possess as they enter the workforce. The district’s Race to the Top (RttT) Plan and Strategic Plan include goals, strategies, and

measurement processes that address these initiatives.

The district continuesto provide access to digital teaching and learning resources and constantly works to provide teachers and students with resources to make their jobs productive and learning engaging. Professional development that focuses on the Common Core, Essential Standards, and technology integration will continuously be provided in both face-to-face and online

environments. Teachers will be provided opportunities to stay abreast of current and up-coming trends and initiatives that impact 21st century teaching and learning.

Leadership is key to success and growth of students and schools, as the International Society of Technology in Education (ISTE) Essential Conditions indicates. Gaston County Schools has and will continue to provide learning opportunities to develop and sustain 21st century leadership.

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Strategic Priority 1: A Statewide Shared Services Model

Examples of Essential Questions:

How will we leverage collaborative purchasing to pay substantially less for technology services and platforms?

How can a Statewide Shared Services Model assist in shifting primary support from infrastructure to instructional needs?

How can a Statewide Shared Services Model enable increased infrastructure and technology efficiency and sustainability?

How can a Statewide Shared Services Model provide higher service reliability?

How can a Statewide Shared Services Model facilitate more strategic budgeting models for our LEA/Charter School?

Current Status and Moving Forward:

Gaston County Schools currently is part of the NCREN consortium for Internet connectivity. The school district’s uptime for operations for Internet is 99.96% and is 99.96% within the WAN environment. District employees currently spend nights and week-ends updating and monitoring systems and hardware. Funds formerly used to pay for the Internet and State Connectivity Funds (PRC073) have been redirected to improve the backbone infrastructure. Race to the Top (RttT) funds have allowed the district to install wiring, switches, and access points at high schools and middle schools. This allows the district to prepare for State cloud technology services and platforms. SMART Boards and desktop computers for each classroom were also purchased with RttT and local funds. Gaston County Schools also leverages state contract pricing to negotiate the best possible pricing for district needs.

Resources provided in NC WiseOwl are used in classrooms throughout the district. Home Base is fully implemented in the district and provides an online grade book for teachers. Local and State technology budgets currently are used for basic operating and infrastructure costs leaving little or no money for instructional needs. Gaston County Schools is participating in webinars and attending regional meetings to learn more about implementing the Instructional

Improvement System (IIS) and Home Base resources.

Technology employees will continue to work with NCREN and MCNC to ensure adequate bandwidth for instructional and administrative purposes. The district will evaluate the possibility of 1:1 and increased access to allow for use of State shared digital resources. The district will continue to attend webinars, conferences, and meetings to learn more about the IIS and other shared services models.

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Page | 8 Using the chart below, briefly describe/explain how your LEA/Charter plan will utilize and align with the strategies in place in other plans/ initiatives being implemented in your LEA.

Alignment to Other Plans and Initiatives:

Strategic Priority 1: A Statewide Shared Services Model

Gaston County Schools will utilize and align with the following key initiatives/plans to reach for the vision and complete the strategic priorities of our plan...

ACRE

Update the technology infrastructure needed to support a 21st century curriculum and assessment system. Career and College Ready, Set, Go!

Participate in state-wide “cloud” infrastructure which will provide cost effective and robust networking infrastructure to school districts. Improve infrastructure to support use of Home Base.

Race to the Top Local and State Scopes of Work

Objective (C)(3) 1.4: Work as partners with DPI staff to incorporate Home Base into the daily operational aspects of school. Home Base Implementation

See Addendum GCS Strategic Plan

GCS Goal: Provide quality instruction to all students via State’s web-based Instructional Improvement System (IIS) and other instructional technology.

1. Statewide Shared Services Model

Goals should be precise and measurable. See notes/guidelines regarding evaluation.

Suggested Goals/Targets Year 1

July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015

Year 2

July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016

Yearly Evaluation Evaluation

Method(s) DPI Use Provide equitable and

additional access to mobile devices

Activity: Increase bandwidth through NCREN as needed based upon district utilization

Responsible: Technology Support Services

Network monitoring reports, NCREN reports

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Page | 9 Provide equitable and

additional access to digital resources

Responsible: Technology Support Services Network monitoring reports, NCREN reports Promote/maintain innovative funding model by utilizing NCEdCloud offerings, Home Base and/or comparable alternatives

Activity: Meeting with DPI to explore activities and offerings (e.g. ZScaler)

Calendar entries, meeting notes

Maximize E-Rate in support of instructional programs

Activity: Leverage E-Rate to increase connectivity to 90% in eligible schools by making application for cabling, switches, access points, SRST gateways, controllers, and other

infrastructure needs. Responsible: Technology Support Services

Activity: Leverage E-Rate to support Priority 1 funding for WAN Connections, Voice, and Long Distance

Responsible: Technology Support Services.

Activity: Leverage E-Rate to increase connectivity to 90% in eligible schools by making application for cabling, switches, access points, SRST gateways, controllers, and other

infrastructure needs. Responsible: Technology Support Services

Activity: Leverage E-Rate to support Priority 1 funding for WAN Connections, Voice, and Long Distance Responsible: Technology Support Services. E-Rate application (470/471 forms) Funding commitment letters E-Rate application (470/471 forms) Funding commitment letters

Provide content filtering in accordance with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA).

Activity: Research content filtering solutions to potentially replace existing solutions in order to have the most efficient

Activity: Maintain selected content filtering solution and continue to investigate more efficient alternatives.

Filtering reports from content filter

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Page | 10 solution while maintaining

existing CIPA-compliant solution. Responsible: Technology Support Services Responsible: Technology Support Services

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Page | 11

Strategic Priority 2

:

Universal Access to Personal Teaching and Learning

Devices

Directions: Write a concise narrative addressing the essential questions pertinent to your

LEA/Charter. Remember, these questions are meant to guide your local priorities, and should not be considered inclusive.

What is universal access to personal teaching and learning devices?

Why do our teachers and students need access to personal teaching and learning devices? How will we provide ample access to individual teaching and learning devices?

What models can be used for implementing universal access to personal teaching and learning devices in our LEA/Charter.

To increase access to personal teaching and learning devices, Gaston County Schools (GCS) has created wireless campuses at all high schools and middle schools with the aid of Race to the Top Funds (RttT). Each classroom is equipped with a wireless access point with controllers at various locations to manage and secure the access points. The LEA RttT plan and strategic plan include strategies for connectivity for universal access. GCS will continue to leverage local, state, and federal E-Rate funds, where possible, to continue to increase wireless capacity at elementary schools. Gaston County Schools has seven elementary schools that are completely wireless campuses. All elementary schools will be wireless by the beginning of the 2014-15 school year.

A 1:1 initiative is evident in the district strategic plan. The technology department is also investigating and evaluating various types of mobile devices to determine what is best for

instructional practices and administrative use. Currently, users may purchase various computing devices such as desktops, laptops, Chromebooks, and iPads.

Gaston County Schools recognizes that our world continues to evolve into one that embraces personal computing devices. The district also recognizes that sufficient funding may never be available to provide every student with a personal computing device; therefore, GCS will create a BYOD environment that allows users access to personal computing devices while on GCS campuses. The district will continue to provide district-owned computing devices as funding allows.

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Strategic Priority 2: Universal Access to Personal Teaching and Learning Devices

ACRE

Create a comprehensive, customized professional development system to provide teachers and administrators with the skills and understandings needed to use data to inform instructional practice and make formative assessments a daily practice in the classroom. Update the analysis of the technology infrastructure needed to support a 21st century curriculum and assessment system.

Career and College Ready, Set, Go!

Provide digital tools and resources to support all initiatives.

Implement a diagnostic assessment program capitalizing on the use of handheld technology. Provide access to more college-level online courses for students.

Provide teachers via virtual and blended courses Expand online professional development infrastructure Race to the Top Local and State Scopes of Work

Objective (C)(3) 1.2: Utilize LEA/Charter and school technology funds to enhance school and LEA/Charter technology infrastructure to facilitate online real-time assessments at each school.

Home Base Implementation See Addendum

GCS Strategic Plan

GCS Goal: Provide quality instruction to all students via State’s web-based Instructional Improvement System (IIS) and other instructional technology.

GCS Goal: All students will demonstrate technology competencies.

GCS Goal: Teachers will have technology and academic skills to deliver high quality 21st century instruction. GCS Goal: Use all means necessary to provide needed funding to ensure learning for all students

Other LEA initiatives/plans

Priority 2: Universal Access to Personal Teaching and Learning Devices

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July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015

Year 2

July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016

Method(s) DPI Use Develop a comprehensive

sustainable LEA plan for universal access. Resources: NCDPI, NCLTI, Educator Effectiveness, and District & School Transformation

Activity: Per RttT grant, district will provide necessary

infrastructure and computing devices for middle and high school students and teachers.

Responsible: Technology Support Services, Instruction Department, Cabinet

Activity: Per RttT grant, district will continue to provide and maintain necessary infrastructure and computing devices for middle and high school students and teachers.

Responsible: Technology Support Services, Instruction Department, Cabinet

Purchase Orders, federal grant approval

Communicate your plan to all stakeholders.

Activity: Post LEA Technology Plan on website following SBOE approval.

Responsible: Communications Department, Technology Support Services

Activity: Post LEA Technology Plan on website following SBOE approval.

Responsible: Communications Department, Technology Support Services

Website postings

Increase overall access to personal learning devices.

Activity: Continue to supplement current wireless environment.

Activity: Provide authentication tool for personal devices.

Activity: Continue to supplement current wireless environment.

Activity: Provide authentication tool for personal devices.

Responsible: Technology Support Services Increased wireless coverage for schools, network diagrams and reports. Network monitoring reports.

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Page | 14 Utilize Personal Learning

Devices to promote student owned learning.

Activity: Research and apply for grants to help support a 1:1 and BYOD initiative in the district.

Responsible: Technology Support Services AMTR student to computer ratio, network monitoring reports

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Strategic Priority 3: Statewide Access to Digital Teaching and Learning

Resources, Including Digital Textbooks

What are digital teaching and learning resources? What are digital textbooks? Why do teachers and students need access to digital teaching and learning devices? What are the benefits of digital textbooks?

What are open educational resources and how can they is used? How can access to these resources be increased in our LEA?

Gaston County Schools uses a suite of NC WiseOwl resources provided through the State. Microsoft Academy is implemented in identified Career Technical Education high school classrooms in the district. APEX software is used for credit recovery in all high schools. Elementary schools have access to TrueFlix which allows teachers to easily access nonfiction selections for classroom use. Along with these resources, the teachers and students use a variety of Web 2.0 resources such as Google apps, Google sites, wikispaces, Edmodo, voice thread, mixbook, mind mapping resources, cyberhunts, and webquests Discovery Education Streaming, a K-12 resource that provides comprehensive and dynamic digital learning resources through all content areas, is provided to all schools. The reporting tool on Discovery Education Streaming allows the district to track utilization. Discovery Education Streaming digital resources are integrated into SMART Board lessons and exemplified in professional development sessions throughout the district. BoardWorks presentation software is used in secondary math classes to assist teachers in instructional presentation. Other databases, such as Renaissance Accelerated Reader, STAR reading and math, and other associated products, are now web-based so that students will have open access. All schools in the district have Classworks as a digital in-house resource. Classworks is a resource that is used for acceleration and remediation. Gaston County Schools implemented Destiny, an online library service for each school. ThinkGate is an online benchmark assessment that the district is using to provide formative assessment data.

Gaston County Schools began a SMART Board initiative in 2010-2011 to provide all classrooms with a SMART Board along with collaborative learning software. SMART Notebook software brings interactivity to the classroom to engage students. Every school has a set or sets of student response systems that gives teachers the ability to track quiz results and lesson comprehension to gain immediate insight into student learning and help increase overall retention and engagement.

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Page | 17 Teacher websites and Google sites are used to communicate to students and parents. Teachers also have 24/7 access to their personal resources on the school server through the GCS portal. Local resources, plans, and activities are also located in the portal as a one-stop-shop for educators.

Gaston County Schools takes advantage of learning opportunities provided by North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS). As depicted in the table below, enrollments have increased each year.

Through professional development activities, teachers have developed lesson plans that are shared in a lesson plan repository. Moodle is the host for the lessons. Lessons are tagged by grade level, Common Core standards, essential standards, content area or subject, and topic. They are linked in curriculum guides at all levels. Before lessons are uploaded into the

repository, Curriculum Facilitators and Technology Facilitators review and evaluate the lessons. Teachers are able to host an online classroom for students to provide a blended classroom

concept. Courses are posted on Moodle. Gaston County Schools hosts online trainings and meetings through our Blackboard Collaborate webinar solution.

Gaston County Schools continues to build an infrastructure that will allow maximum utilization of digital resources. This includes the use of digital textbooks. The district will explore and leverage funding from all resources to provide digital textbooks as well as access.

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 FY 07-08 FY 08-09 FY 09-10 FY 10-11 FY 11-12 FY 12-13 Summer Fall Year Long Spring

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Strategic Priority 3: Statewide Access to Digital Teaching and Learning Resources, Including Digital Textbooks

ACRE

Update the technology infrastructure needed to support a 21st century curriculum and assessment system. Career and College Ready, Set, Go!

Provide digital tools and resources to support all initiatives.

Implement a diagnostic assessment program capitalizing on the use of handheld technology. Race to the Top Local and State Scopes of Work

Objective (A)(2) 3.1: Provide and support student, teacher, administrator access to Learner Management System, Learning Object Repository, and web collaboration tools.

Objective (C)(3) 1.1: Create a transition plan for schools and LEAs to begin using the online IIS for the 2012-2013 school year.

Objective (C)(3) 1.2: Utilize LEA/Charter and school technology funds to enhance school and LEA/Charter technology infrastructure to facilitate online real-time assessments at each school.

GCS Strategic Plan

GCS Goal: All students will demonstrate technology competencies.

3: Statewide Access to Digital Teaching and Learning Resources, Including Digital Textbooks Goals should be precise and measurable. See notes/guidelines regarding evaluation.

July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015

Year 2

July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016

Methods(s) DPI Use Continue to transition from

traditional print and paper-based resources to current, affordable online resources

Activity: All pacing guides and curriculum resources are

available online for easy teacher access.

Activity: All pacing guides and curriculum resources are available online for easy teacher access.

Website is reviewed quarterly by Curriculum

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Page | 19 Responsible: Instruction Department Responsible: Instruction Department Facilitators and updated as needed.

Utilize procured resources such as NC WiseOwl, Home Base and other open education resources

Activity: Introduce teachers to state provided resources through TIPs and Professional

Development opportunities provided by the Instruction Department.

Responsible: Instruction Department

Activity: Introduce teachers to state provided resources through TIPs and Professional

Development opportunities provided by the Instruction Department. Responsible: Instruction Department Professional Development Calendars

Use digital content aligned specifically to Common Core and NC Essential Standards

Activity: Provide K-12 access to Discovery Streaming, 3-5 access to True Flix, BoardWorks access for 6-12, APEX software for 9-12.

Responsible: Technology Support Services,

Instruction Department

Activity: Provide K-12 access to Discovery Streaming, 3-5 access to True Flix, BoardWorks access for 6-12, APEX software for 9-12.

Responsible: Technology Support Services,

Instruction Department

Data access and usage reports

Ensure equity to digital teaching and learning

resources from school to school in your LEA

Activity: Provide district-wide access to resources for students use

Responsible: Instruction and Technology Support Services

Activity: Provide district-wide access to resources for students use

Responsible: Instruction and Technology Support Services

Activity: Provide district-wide access to resources for students use Responsible: Instruction and Technology Support Services

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Strategic Priority 4: A Statewide Model of Technology-Enabled Professional

Development

What skills are needed to transition to digital teaching and learning resources?

How can these skills be delivered and sustained to our LEA teachers and administrators?

How do teachers, administrators, and staff work with colleagues to guide our LEA toward more effective uses of 21st Century tools for teaching, learning, and managing instruction?

How are teachers, administrators, and staff prepared to understand, implement, and assess the span of skills and processes that students need to succeed in the 21st Century?

How are teachers, administrators, and staff prepared to apply 21st Century assessment systems to inform instruction and measure 21st Century knowledge, skills, performance, and dispositions?

Before the transition to digital teaching and learning resources can be made, administrators and teachers alike must attain the skills necessary to use these resources successfully in the classroom to promote student learning and engagement. Gaston County Schools has been working to train its educators based on teaching in a 21st century environment through such programs as Pinnacle Leaders Network, the SMART Board initiative, Title I technology initiative, and Science

Technology classroom initiative. Through these projects, teachers are taught not only how to use hardware and digital resources but also how to change their pedagogy. In order to be successful in implementing 1:1 initiatives, digital resources and other 21st century tools, teaching must change from a teacher-centered to a learner-centered environment. The district also hosts a Teaching and Learning Conference each summer for all Gaston County Schools employees. This conference provides two days of professional learning on a wide range of topics from technology integration and skills to poverty and student engagement.

Professional development in technology integration, learner-centered environments and digital resources are delivered in a variety of methods. Gaston County Schools provides school-based face-to-face training, district-wide face-to-face training, blended training that is a combination of face-to-face and online, online training, professional learning communities, personal learning networks, and train-the-trainer methodologies. Gaston County Schools develops and deploys our own online courses through a Moodle environment, as well as hosts online training and meetings through Blackboard Collaborate.

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Page | 21 Gaston County Schools employs a Coordinator of Professional Learning at our Staff

Development Center who plans administrator and teacher professional learning based on district and state initiatives and needs.

Teachers and administrators are provided with training on state initiatives such as Common Core and Essential Standards as well as new assessments. The technology department works with schools and other departments to provide tools and training in order to complete 21st century assessment systems. We currently utilize such assessment tools such as common assessments, mClass Dibels, student response systems, and quarterly benchmarking with scan and score software.

We plan to expand our offerings of online courses through Moodle as well as expand the use of Blackboard Collaborate for professional development, meetings, and trainings. Moodle is also available as a platform for teachers to host online classrooms as part of blended learning or flipped instruction.

Instructional Technology Facilitators will collaborate with media coordinator when planning professional development for the teachers. Nine Instructional Technology Facilitators plan with each school to provide a guided and direct focus regarding technology integration in relation to the Common Core and analysis of test scores. These individuals continually collaborate with the Curriculum Department regarding initiatives and related professional development. Curriculum leaders have been trained by the Instructional Technology Facilitators to post resources online to allow 24/7 access by teachers.

Instructional Technology Facilitators, along with other leaders in the district, participate in professional development, attend conferences and webinars, and design their framework for their personal learning network in order to maintain and learn 21st century skills needed for their leadership position. Gaston County Schools will implement the framework for media coordinators and instructional technology facilitators when provided by NCDPI.

Gaston County Schools is moving forward by investigating new devices for teachers and administrators for teaching, learning, and assessments. Gaston County Schools continues to investigate multiple mobile computing devices for potential integration as well as allowing personal mobile devices to be used throughout the district.

Common Core and Essential Standards training will continue until all teachers have been trained in all modules. Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) training will also be a focus through the Instruction department.

Gaston County has a strong data driven culture. A major component of moving the data driven culture forward comes from working with Data Gurus. These individuals are selected by the school principal to lead the data discussions at their respective school. They are trained each month in a half day or all day training session (depending on the time of year) by Accountability staff. These meetings occur at the elementary, middle, and high school level. Data Gurus are

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Page | 22 taught to interpret data on district initiatives (e.g. MClass and Renaissance) and student

information. Accountability staff also work with PLCs and leadership staff at schools on an as needed basis. Accountability will begin collecting data on the types of training and the volume of training that is provided by Data Gurus after each monthly session in 2013-2014.

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Strategic Priority 4: A Statewide Model of Technology-Enabled Professional Development

ACRE

Create a comprehensive, customized professional development system to provide teachers and administrators with the skills and understandings needed to use data to inform instructional practice and make formative assessments a daily practice in the classroom. Update the analysis of the technology infrastructure needed to support a 21st century curriculum and assessment system.

Career and College Ready, Set, Go!

Expand online professional development infrastructure. Provide effective teachers via virtual and blended courses.

Develop resources to support effective professional activities and create additional resources as needed. Race to the Top Local and State Scopes of Work

Objective (C)(3) 1.3: Designate current staff for educators to utilize EVAAS and assessment data for instructional and program decision-making. Objective (D)(2) 1.2: Provide evaluation results to the State by submitting summary ratings.

Objective (D)(2) 2.1: Integrate student growth data into teacher and principal evaluations.

Objective D(5) 1.1: Provide access to effective, high-quality, job-embedded, data-informed professional development and support for educators with objectives aligned to the Race to the Top Initiatives.

Objective D(5) 1.2: Measure, evaluate and improve professional development and support.

Objective (P)(2) 1.1: Provide curriculum support in new standards and use available data to place students in the most appropriate and rigorous

science and math courses. Home Base Implementation

See Addendum

Gaston County Schools Strategic Plan

GCS Goal: All students will demonstrate competency in reading, math, science, and social studies.

GCS Goal: Teachers will have technology and academic skills to deliver high-quality, 21st century instruction. GCS Goal: All students will demonstrate technology competencies.

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Page | 24 4: A Statewide Model of Technology-Enabled Professional Development

Goals should be precise and measurable. See notes/guidelines regarding evaluation.

July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015

Year 2

July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016

Method(s) DPI Use Implement a plan for

embedded technology-enabled professional development for teachers and administrators.

Activity: Use coaching tools to help teachers develop technology skills.

Responsible: School administrators, Instruction Department

Activity: Use coaching tools to help teachers develop technology skills. Responsible: School administrators, Instruction Department Evidence of utilization provided by school administrators, Purchase Order for tool(s)

Support models that assist all school personnel in creating technology-enabled instruction that transforms educational practice and improves student learning

Activity: Provide initial and ongoing professional

development for teachers to develop skills and integration techniques/strategies through PLCs

Responsible: Technology Support Services, Instruction Department, Office of Professional Learning

Activity: Provide initial and ongoing professional

development for teachers to develop skills and integration techniques/strategies through PLCs

Responsible: Technology Support Services, Instruction Department, Office of Professional Learning

Teacher Lesson Plans

Prepare media specialists and instructional technology facilitators to support digital reform.

Activity: Implement the new standards, job descriptions, and evaluation tool for media specialists and instructional technology facilitators.

Responsible: Student Support

Activity: Implement the new standards, job descriptions, and evaluation tool for media specialists and instructional technology facilitators.

Responsible: Student Support

Planning logs, observations, evaluations.

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Page | 25 Services and Technology Support

Services

Services and Technology Support Services

Prepare staff for online assessment delivery.

Activity: Provide professional learning sessions to help teachers prepare for online assessments

Responsible: Accountability Department, Technology Support Services

Activity: Provide professional learning sessions to help teachers prepare for online assessments

Responsible: Accountability Department, Technology Support Services

Professional development training sessions and agendas

Prepare students for online assessment delivery.

Activity: Students will utilize computing devices for various purposes in learning

environment.

Responsible: Schools

Activity: Students will utilize computing devices for various purposes in learning environment.

Responsible: Schools

Lesson Plans

Provide ongoing support and professional development necessary for use of data to inform instruction.

Activity: Monthly training for data gurus

Responsible: Accountability Department

Activity: Work with school leadership and PLCs on as needed basis

Activity: Monthly training for data gurus

Activity: Work with school leadership and PLCs on as needed basis Responsible: Accountability Department > Training schedule, attendance logs, school leadership meeting logs, PLC meeting logs

Provide support for teacher and administrator progress and evaluation according to MCREL standards.

Activity: Provide hands-on training for all administrators in the usage of Home Base and True North Logic software to evaluate

Training schedule, attendance logs

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Page | 26 the performance of teachers and

administrators

Responsible: Human Resources Activity: Provide training for newly hired administrators Responsible: Human Resources Activity: School staffs trained on the evaluation system, including observation criteria and

expectations.

Responsible: School administration

Activity: Mentor teachers are trained on the evaluation tool in order to assist Beginning Teachers as they learn the process.

Responsible: BT/Mentor Specialist

Activity: Provide principals with a hard copy and electronic flip-chart of deadlines for completing observations and final summary evaluations each year.

the performance of teachers and administrators

Responsible: Human Resources Activity: Provide training for newly hired administrators Responsible: Human Resources Activity: School staffs trained on the evaluation system, including observation criteria and

expectations.

Responsible: School administration

Activity: Mentor teachers are trained on the evaluation tool in order to assist Beginning Teachers as they learn the process.

Responsible: BT/Mentor Specialist

Activity: Provide principals with a hard copy and electronic flip-chart of deadlines for completing observations and final summary evaluations each year.

Training schedule, attendance logs Training logs Training schedule, attendance logs Copies of charts

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Page | 27 Responsible: Human Resources

Activity: Monitors the system and contacts principals who are not on track and assists them with strategies for meeting future deadlines.

Responsible: Human Resources

Responsible: Human Resources Activity: Monitors the system and contacts principals who are not on track and assists them with strategies for meeting future deadlines.

Responsible: Human Resources

Sample contacts, emails, notes

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Strategic Priority 5: 21st Century Leadership for All Schools and Districts

Are your LEA/Charter leaders prepared to lead and create a vision for 21st century education? Are mechanisms in place for school leaders to create 21st century learning cultures?

Are professional growth programs/opportunities available to prepare teachers and administrators to lead 21st century learning environments?

Current Status/Moving Forward:

Gaston County School leaders participate in national and state organizations that lead and create a vision for the 21st century. The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is a national organization that provides standards for administrators, teachers, and coaches to guide 21st century teaching and learning. State organizations and the State Department of Public Instruction align to provide standards and strategies for preparing leaders. The State has

provided Common Core professional learning for lead teachers. These individuals then provide training at the school level. Schools encourage leadership through participation in the

professional learning community and through professional learning networks. Teacher

evaluations and growth plans guide and encourage teachers to become leaders in the classroom and the teaching profession. Gaston County Schools also encourages 21st century leadership and teaching through a program that has been in place for over eleven years, the Pinnacle Leaders Network. This network provides teachers with an opportunity to receive professional

development and new technology to enrich curriculum and instruction for increased student achievement. Gaston County Schools now utilizes Google Apps for Education which provides teachers and students with a way to collaborate and communicate within their classrooms through shared documents, websites and more.

Mechanisms such as wikis, Edmodo, and Google Apps for Education are in place to enable school leaders to create 21st century learning cultures. Moving forward, open access for other social networking sites that can be used educationally may be put into place. Access to digital resources is available through the GCS portal, website and departmental Google Sites. Resources are digitally accessible with the implementation of the SMART Board lesson repository. School leaders will have access to digital professional learning network tools such as Twitter and various other applications. Gaston County will continue to research accountability tools to hold teachers and other faculty members to standards.

Gaston County Schools continues to provide professional growth and leadership opportunities to teachers and administrators. Universities such as UNC – Charlotte, Gardner-Webb and

Appalachian are encouraged to bring Master and Doctorate level programs to our school campuses. The GCS Pinnacle Network promotes growth opportunities for teachers to become technology leaders in their schools. Integrating the use of Professional Learning Networks as a

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Page | 29 tool for resource gathering and learning with PLCs will be a focus as we move forward. We will also be utilizing programs and resources from Learn NC and the Friday Institute. The Teacher Induction Program for Success (TIPS) prepares new teachers for success in the classroom by providing digital resources and 21st century leadership techniques. The Office of Professional Learning offers extensive support to National Board candidates. The ITFs offer support as well by giving candidates training in uploading their documents and tips in videotaping their entries. The in-school training provided by ITFs allows the candidates an opportunity to expand their knowledge of 21st Century technology skills thus providing them with the knowledge and skills needed to meet the rigorous requirements necessary to earn this prestigious recognition.

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Page | 30 Briefly describe/explain how your LEA/Charter plan will utilize and align with the strategies in place in other plans/ initiatives being implemented in your LEA.

Strategic Priority 5: 21st Century Leadership for All Schools and Districts

ACRE

Create a comprehensive, customized professional development system to provide teachers and administrators with the skills and understandings needed to use data to inform instructional practice and make formative assessments a daily practice in the classroom. Career and College Ready, Set, Go!

Fully implement the new NC teacher and principal evaluation processes. Expand teacher recruitment.

Provide effective teachers via virtual and blended courses.

Expand the online professional development infrastructure to provide accessible and high-quality online professional development. Develop support programs for new teachers in first three years of employment.

Race to the Top Local and State Scopes of Work

Objective (C)(3) 1.3: Designate current staff to educators utilize EVAAS and assessment data for instructional and program decision-making. Objective (D)(2) 1.1: Utilize the evaluation tool and process as a primary factor in teacher and principal development plans and decisions related to promotion, retention and removal.

Objective (D)(2) 1.2: Provide evaluation results to the State by submitting summary ratings. Objective (D)(2) 2.1: Integrate student growth data into teacher and principal evaluations.

Objective (D)(3) 1.1: Identify and select highly-qualified candidates to participate in regional leadership academies. Objective (D)(3) 2.1: Recruit and increase the concentration of highly-effective teachers and leaders in high need schools. Objective D(4) 2.1: Provide feedback for preparation, certification and alternative licensure programs.

Objective D(4) 2.2 : Establish communication process with regional preparation programs to strengthen programs and increase success of first-year educators.

Gaston County Schools Strategic Plan

GCS Goal: Teachers will have technology and academic skills to deliver high-quality, 21st century instruction.

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Page | 31 Goals should be precise and measurable. See notes/guidelines regarding evaluation.

July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015

Year 2

July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016

Method(s) DPI Use Create and lead a vision for 21st

century education

Activity: Develop school improvement plans that reflect school data and a vision for 21st century education

Responsible: School and Central Office Administration, School Improvement Teams

Activity: Revise school improvement plans that reflect school data and a vision for 21st century education

Responsible: School and Central Office Administration, School Improvement Teams

School Improvement Plans

Prepare teachers and administrators to lead 21st century learning environments

Activity: Provide New Teacher Induction Program and Support (TIPS).

Responsible: Student Support Services

Activity: Provide monthly technology commercials for school administrators and Leadership Team.

Activity: Provide New Teacher Induction Program and Support (TIPS).

Responsible: Student Support Services

Activity: Provide monthly technology commercials for school administrators and Leadership Team.

Responsible: Technology Support Services TIPS Calendar, Agendas, Newsletters Principal Meeting agendas

Develop strategic partnerships with community and business to promote 21st Century learning.

Activity: Partner with local businesses and organizations to prepare students to become College and Career Ready.

Responsible: Business

Activity: Partner with local businesses and organizations to prepare students to become College and Career Ready.

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Page | 33 Appendix A: Policies and Procedures

Gaston County Schools Technology Plan

Policy, Procedure, & Guidelines Implementation Chart

Policies, Procedures, & Guidelines

All Policies, procedures and guidelines should be updated to include the fundamentals of 21st Century Education and Information & Technology Essential Standards. Policies should be translated into predominant languages of students and parents. Policies, procedures and guidelines should be displayed along with the STP and other referenced LEA/Charter plans. Make sure links have navigations that are user friendly.

LEA Policy Code or Procedure LEA Adoption, Implementatio n or Revision Date Policies (Required)

A. Materials Selection Policy including internet resources (GS §115c-98(b)) 3200 12/17/2012

B. Disposal of Equipment / Replacement of Obsolete Equipment (GS §115c-518)

9400

9500 Rev. 6/19/2006 C. Hardware and Software Procurement (GS § 115c-522, 115c-522.1) 8675 Rev. 6/19/2006 D. Copyright and Plagiarism Policy (PL §94-553, 90 Stat. 2541), 3240 7/16/2001 E. Acceptable Use Policy (PL §106-554) (including existing 1:1, bring your own device) 3230/7370 Rev. 12/17/2012 F. Equipment/Materials Donation Policy (GS §115C-518) 8215 Rev. 6/21/2004

G. Data Privacy Policy (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99 (FERPA))

3470 4230 6120 7380 Rev. 12/17/2012 Rev. 6/04/2007 Rev. 6/19/2006 Adpt. 6/21/2004

H. Inventory Control Policy (GS §115c-539, 115c-102.6A-C(5))

9500(B) 6410

Rev. 6/19/2006 7/16/2001

I. Access to Services Policy (GS §115c-106.2) 3220 7/16/2001

J. Online Assessment and Instruction Policy 3102

8/29/2012 Rev. 9/13/13 K. Advertising and Commercialism Policy (GS §115c-98) (Procurement and gifts ethics) 8210 Rev. 12/17/2012 L. Internet Safety and Ethical Use including Cyberbullying and Harassment

(Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act, CIPA, FERPA, GS 115C-407) 3230/7370 Rev. 12/17/2012

M. (Locally identified policies)

Procedures

A. Hardware and Software Deployment 7/2005

B. Equipment maintenance and repairs 7/2005

C. Outdated Resources and Equipment Replacement 7/2005

D. Disaster Recovery of Data and Hardware 7/2005

E. Administration of Online Courses

7/2005

Rev. 3/06; 6/07; 7/08

F. Administration of Online Assessment In progress

G. Hardware, Software, and Infrastructure Procurement 6/2005

Guidelines

A. Policy Translation

Follow State Requirements

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C. Instructional Use of Videos Included

D. Development of Online Resources 3280 7/05/2005

E. Staff Network and Internet Responsible Use Guidelines

6/04; Revised 7/06; 7/08

F. Student Network and Internet Responsible Use Guidelines 6/04; Revised _{7/06; 7/08}

G. Electronic Mail Guidelines and Procedures

6/04; Revised 6/05; 7/06; 7/07

H. Technology Donation Guidelines

7/05; Revised 7/06; 7/07; 7/08

I. Network Security Regulations, Standards, and Guidelines 7/05; Revised 7/06 J. PowerSchool ID, Password, and Workstation Guidelines 7/05; Revised 12/17/2012

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Page | 35 Addendum

Home Base Rollout and Support

Gaston County began planning the roll-out of Home Base in February 2013 with implementation beginning in March 2013. Planning and implementation included training in Power School, training in Power Teacher, parent portal roll-out, Power School security and access settings, and training of SchoolNet (which wasn’t available at the time) and North Carolina Educator

Effectiveness System (NCEES).

Funding Sources

No additional money was provided for the roll-out.

Departments Involved

With the exception of Educator Effectiveness, Accountability (4 employees) was involved in all aspects of Home Base roll-out.

Eight Instructional Technology Facilitators (ITFs) from the Technology Support Services Department were heavily involved in roll-out of Power Teacher and they took the lead in Gradebook roll-out.

The Human Resources Department was the lead in the roll-out of the NCEES through the platform by Truenorthlogic.

Timeline

Power School – In March, a training server was created by Gaston County because the state requirement of a 2 week notice to use the state training server would not effectively

accommodate Gaston County’s vision of providing hands-on training to all stakeholders on all components. Power School training was provided by the Accountability staff, between March and August 2013, to every Central Office Department in the district, as well as all administrative and support staff. Using actual Power School accounts and not the training server, this type of training continues with Central Office staff and school level administrators. Concurrently, training was, and still is, being conducted with school-level data managers using actual Power School accounts.

Principals, assistant principals, and support staff were offered hands-on training using the training server at each level (elementary, middle, and high) throughout the end of the 2012-1013 school year and throughout the summer. Also, trainings were provided at principal meetings. Data managers were offered hands-on scheduling sessions using their actual accounts, at each level (elementary, middle, and high), every other week in July and August.

Gaston County has experienced some issues with Power School features and reports. In those instances, tickets are submitted to the state while also trying to figure out in-house fixes. Power Teacher – Using the training server, six demonstration sessions were held over two days at the Gaston County Teaching and Learning Conference on August 7th and 8th, 2013. On August 20th and 21st , 1800 teachers received hands-on training using the server over two days. Sessions were conducted at four high schools by three trainers per high school, for five sessions each day.

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Page | 36 These sessions included training on logging in, taking attendance, creating a seating chart, and demographics. Teachers were then given their actual account information. Once school started, the ITFs provided hands-on training on Gradebook starting with High Schools, then Middle Schools, then Elementary. They completed the Gradebook training mid-September and continue to provide support when issues arise. New teachers (first year and new to the district) were trained during TIPS in August.

Parent Portal – Individual letters for parents were generated at the beginning of August for each school. A step-by-step one page document was created to accompany the parent letter. A principal or assistant principal picked up their letters at a Central Office location and signed that they had received them. They then had to create a sheet for parents to sign when the parent received the parent portal letter. Two Accountability staff handled the calls from parents who were unable to successfully launch their parent portal.

Security and access settings – Clean up of security settings for administrators and teachers occurred immediately following the June download from NCWise to Power School. Because district level administrator accounts have to be manually created, Accountability staff created those as required before trainings and as time allowed throughout the opening of schools.

Schoolnet – Schoolnet is being phased in over the course of the 2013-2014 school year. Focus groups of expert teachers are currently being assembled. They will test the various components of Schoolnet and provide feedback to district leadership about the quality of content and ease of functionality.

NCEES – This component of Home Base is being rolled out by Human Resources. There are four employees administering training and managing the Truenorthlogic accounts.

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