learning and information sharing tool to: Provide an equitable learning environment

Welcome to the first edition of the Fauquier County Public Schools Technology Services report. This report will pro-vide the reader with insights into the key technology initia-tives that are providing value to FCPS from data analytics, to technology modernization, to classroom technology in action. The report culminates by providing a scorecard for progress on the FCPS Technology Plan.

The technology vision for Fauquier County Public Schools is to provide all students, teachers, support staff, and administrators the opportunities to develop the skills nec-essary to use technology purposefully and effectively through the wise and deliberate procurement and use of state-of-the-art hardware, software, support personnel, and professional development. It is the mission of the Technology Services Group to effectively integrate technology as a

learning and information sharing tool to:  Provide an equitable learning

envi-ronment to foster academic achieve-ment and support students in meet-ing the state standards.

 Develop information literacy to em-power staff and student learning so that they acquire the knowledge and skills needed to achieve academically and be productive citizens in a global society.

 Educate students to communicate effectively and express their ideas.  Educate students to make ethical and

informed decisions.

 Prepare students for success in con-tinuing education or the workplace.  Build communities and forge

partner-ships with families, businesses, and community members.

 Create a professional learning com-munity, which provides training and staff development opportunities that

develop skills and support innovation.  Use resources efficiently and

strate-gically to ensure productivity and fis-cal responsibility within FCPS.

My team doesn’t rest on its laurels. We continue to align the future of our technol-ogy organization with the Division’s Strate-gic Plan (Aspirations). It has been a chal-lenging year for the Technology Services Group. We continue to strive to provide an operating environment that is reliable, se-cure, and efficient. I look forward to work-ing with this talented team as we continue to enable the Division’s success.

The mission of Application Services is to support and improve Division efficiency and effectiveness. This is accomplished by helping customers use district-wide appli-cations, integrating disparate systems, and preparing accountability and decision support analytics/reports.

Communications

Twitter became a standard for FCPS divi-sion-wide communication in FY13. FCPS- posted information can be followed at

@FCPS1News

A district-wide review of the public web site was conducted. A committee of SBO and school staff defined content standards for schools. A redesign of the public web-site is planned for FY14.

In FY13, FCPS students could

anonymous-DataCation

Application Services assisted the Depart-ment of Instruction in securing funding for DataCation, a product which gives ele-mentary and middle school administrators visibility to individual and summarized stu-dent grades, assessments and attend-ance. Assessments and grades are load-ed quarterly, metrics identify at-risk stu-dents, and users can drill-down to identify information about individual students’ achievement for the current year and over time. The system is funded for the next three academic years.

Student Data

Application Services provided teachers “at-a-glance” worksheets. The focus of these worksheets is the class roster, providing a different, class-wide

perspec-and test scores). Application Services al-so designed and built an enhancement to the Star Portal so that teachers could ac-cess each student’s academic record (including prior-year attendance, grades and test scores).

Teachers simply click on the name of a student in the roster, go to the bottom of the Student Summary Screen, and select the Data Wall icon. This proved very useful; however, it was accessible only one student at a time.

The Information Resources group supports and maintains all computer and network infrastructure within the division.

Email

In FY13, FCPS had its 10-year-old email solution upgraded. The Information Re-sources team migrated 1,500 accounts from Exchange 2003 to Exchange 2010 over three months.

Windows 7

With Microsoft support for Windows XP ending April 2014, it was a priority to up-grade staff and student systems to Win-dows 7. During FY13, the Information Re-sources team upgraded over 1,500 staff computers and over 2,000 student com-puters to Windows 7. This also brought the FCPS Microsoft licensing into compliance with contract requirements and specifica-tions.

Spam Filter

The in-house email spam filter was up-graded to a hosted solution provided by Microsoft.

Email Archiver

The FCPS Email Archive was replaced with a new appliance that featured more

memory and a faster processor.

Voice over IP (VOIP)

FY13 saw the completion of the Voice over IP installation (telephone service using FCPS network) throughout the school divi-sion. Coordinated efforts between the FCPS Technology Services, Fauquier Coun-ty IT, and the FCPS assistant superinten-dent for administration ensured proper im-plementation and a smooth transition for the end users. The Information Resources group continues to support and maintain

VOIP in all schools and administrative of-fices.

School Security Cameras

FY13 concluded with the installation of Avigilon servers in 10 elementary schools in support of the security camera program headed by the assistant superintendent for administration.

The Information Resources team continues to support and maintain servers, and man-age user access.

Wireless Network

The older wireless infrastructure was re-placed at Warrenton Middle School and Liberty High School. This is part of continu-ing project to migrate from Cisco to Aruba and implement a Division-wide managed wireless network.

The Instructional Technology program in Fauquier County advocates for preparing every student with the skills needed to be successful in a highly competitive, technol-ogy-driven 21st century environment. In-structional Technology Resource Teachers (ITRTs) support instructional activities through professional development, co-teaching, the introduction of new technolo-gies and timely support to teachers.

Project/Problem-Based Learning (PBL)

The fifth-grade students at Bradley and Pierce elementary schools took a different approach in their science classroom that included research, collaboration, communi-cation, appropriate use of technology and digging deeper into the state-mandated curriculum. Numerous hours of planning

tion and share findings. The teachers used every opportunity within their class-rooms to test this new approach to learn-ing. The year culminated with student presentations on their answer to the over-arching question, “What can we do to pro-tect our interconnected world?”

From Angel Learning Management System to Blackboard Learn

In January of 2013, a decision was made to make the move from Angel to Black-board. This move to Blackboard Learn was anticipated due to the acquisition of Angel by Blackboard in 2009. Migration from Angel to Blackboard Learn project began with the setup of the server and da-tabase that is ultimately Fauquier’s new home within Blackboard Learn. System admin and ITRT training were completed

There will be more to come as we explore and build-out our Blackboard Learn data-base.

Inventory

During the 2012-13 school year, ITRTs and Computer Services staff performed a phys-ical inventory of all computer equipment in the schools. The location of each piece of equipment was confirmed and barcoded. This inventory will become the baseline for managing IT assets going forward. Over 8,356 pieces of technology equipment were captured during this effort.

Fast Technology Facts

 HyperV Host Servers: 27  Physical Servers: 23

 HyperV Virtual Servers: 71

Network Device Counts:

 Switches: 246  VoIP Phones: 765

 Wireless access points: 424

Computer Distribution

 Student: 4,891 (71%)  Faculty: 1,112 (16%)  Admin/Staff: 931 (13%)

The Fauquier County Public Schools (FCPS) Technology Plan (2010-2015) is a multi-year plan designed to embrace the school division’s Excellence by Design vision statement. The plan supports the Fauquier County School Board’s beliefs, mission, and Strategic Plan: Aspirations 2015. Additionally, this plan is aligned with the Vir-ginia Department of Education’s Educational Technology Plan for 2010-2015.

Appropriately and Adequately Designed Environment

GOAL 1: Provide a safe, flexible, and effective learning environment for all

stu-dents

OBJECTIVE 1.1: Deliver appropriate and challenging curricula through

face-to-face, blended, and virtual learning environments.

Strategy 1.1.1 – Provide access to online learning opportunities by developing virtual courses through

Fau-quier County Public Schools Anytime Learning Management System (ALMS).

Strategy 1.1.2 – Expand access to other virtual courses for students, teachers, and administrators. Strategy 1.1.3 – Provide access to web-based content and tools for teaching and learning.

Strategy 1.1.4 – Provide interactive opportunities that support an environment of collaboration,

FCPS Technology Plan Status

Appropriately and Adequately Designed Environment

GOAL 1: Provide a safe, flexible, and effective learning environment for all students

Objective 1.2: Provide the technical and human infrastructure necessary to support real, blended, and virtual environments. Strategy 1.2.1 – Provide a scalable comprehensive technology infrastructure to support virtual classes,

web-based applications, tools and real-time communication, collaboration, and sharing within and outside our division environment.

Strategy 1.2.2 – Develop, plan, and implement a redundant channel to the Internet to support growing

de-mands of Internet applications and increase uptime.

Strategy 1.2.3 – Provide and/or upgrade a wireless infrastructure that supports a personal computing device

for every student to have Internet access at school.

Strategy 1.2.4 – Provide resources to support the hiring of additional Instructional Technology Resource

Teachers (ITRT) to ensure every school building has at least one ITRT to assist teachers in moving into the 21st century teaching and learning environment.

Appropriately and Adequately Designed Environment

GOAL 1: Provide a safe, flexible, and effective learning environment for all students

Objective 1.2: Provide the technical and human infrastructure necessary to support real, blended, and virtual environments. Strategy 1.2.5 – Provide resources to add additional technical support to schools for hardware, software, and

network needed to support 21st _{century teaching and learning.}

Strategy 1.2.6 - Establish a plan to provide Internet access outside of school hours to students who do not

have any or inadequate access to the Internet from home for anywhere anytime learning.

Strategy 1.2.7 – Increase the number of engagement classrooms through purposeful planning for equipment

and furnishings that support mobility, collaboration, communication, creativity, innovation, project-based, and global teaching and learning.

Strategy 1.2.8 – Provide the resources for a video production lab for each school to promote communication

and media skills.

Strategy 1.2.9 – Provide a media center/library at each school that uses a wide variety of digital and online

FCPS Technology Plan Status

Appropriately and Adequately Designed Environment

GOAL 1: Provide a safe, flexible, and effective learning environment for all students

Objective 1.3: Provide high-quality professional development to help educators create, maintain, and work in a variety of

learn-er-centered environments.

Strategy 1.3.1 – Provide professional development opportunities on a variety of topics in a various formats

that will assist teachers, administrators, and other educators create, maintain, and work in face-to-face, blend-ed, and virtual learning environments.

Strategy 1.3.2 – Establish a “one-stop shopping” resource repository that is searchable and supports effective

21st _{century learning environments.}

Strategy 1.3.3 – Provide opportunities for peer-to-peer sharing through observations, presentations, and

me-dia prepared videos of successful teaching and learning environments.

Meaningful Engagement

GOAL 2: Engage students in meaningful curricular content through the purposeful and effective use of technology.

Objective 2.1: Support innovative professional development practices that promote strategic growth for all educators and

col-laboration with other educators, content experts, and students.

Strategy 2.1.1 – Provide professional development opportunities through various delivery modes (online

dis-trict created, online with other disdis-tricts/experts, webinars, etc.) that promote meaningful student engagement through purposeful technology integration into curricular content.

Strategy 2.1.2 – Provide professional development and support for teachers to implement technology-infused,

student-centered learning activities as part of their professional growth.

Strategy 2.1.3 – Provide resources and support for teachers to create an electronic portfolio consisting of

les-son plans, best practices, and project-based learning opportunities for students which incorporate 21st _century skills.

Strategy 2.1.4 – Provide instructional staff with opportunities to share best integrative technology practices

FCPS Technology Plan Status

Meaningful Engagement

GOAL 2: Engage students in meaningful curricular content through the purposeful and effective use of technology.

Objective 2.2: Actualize the ability of technology to individualize learning and provide equitable opportunities for all learners. Strategy 2.2.1 – Provide students with relevant learning opportunities in all content areas that use technology

purposefully to enable students to apply content knowledge.

Strategy 2.2.2 – Provide students with learning opportunities to collaborate and problem-solve using real-

world resources online and through distance learning.

Strategy 2.2.3 – Provide students with opportunities to collaborate, communicate, learn course content, and

develop appropriate social skills in a variety of contexts (i.e. face-to-face interactions, discussion boards, blogs, virtual field trips, Wikis, both locally and globally).

Strategy 2.2.4 – Provide all students with anytime, anywhere learning opportunities through increased access

for all students outside of school hours, electronic textbooks, and online resources via ALMS.

Meaningful Engagement

GOAL 2: Engage students in meaningful curricular content through the purposeful and effective use of technology.

Objective 2.2: Actualize the ability of technology to individualize learning and provide equitable opportunities for all learners. Strategy 2.2.5 – Increase technology assessment tools used by teachers to evaluate student understanding

(PowerPoint, Photo Story, Movie Maker, response systems, Web 2.0 tools, and other technology tools).

Strategy 2.2.6 – Assist students at every level to create and maintain an e-portfolio that portrays his/her

growth, development, and interests/talents throughout his/her school career.

Strategy 2.2.7 – Provide students with encouragement and sustained interest in reading for pleasure and

knowledge through interactive reading databases, e-books, audio books, and online reading programs with ac-cess from classrooms and homes.

FCPS Technology Plan Status

Meaningful Engagement

GOAL 2: Engage students in meaningful curricular content through the purposeful and effective use of technology. Objective 2.3: Facilitate the implementation of high-quality Internet safety programs in schools.

Strategy 2.3.1 – Provide a working repository of Internet safety best practices and resources integrated into

each curricular area.

Strategy 2.3.2 – Provide a division-wide climate of Internet safety awareness at every level.

Strategy 2.3.3 – Provide ongoing Internet safety education and awareness for all staff (instructional and

sup-port).

Strategy 2.3.4 – Provide students with opportunities to analyze and evaluate the influence of various types of

media.

Strategy 2.3.5 – Provide ongoing copyright and fair use training, as appropriate, for students and teachers.

Strategy 2.3.6 – Provide ongoing parent training sessions on Internet safety awareness.

Purposeful Application of Tools for Learning

GOAL 3: Afford students with opportunities to apply technology effectively to gain knowledge, develop skills, and create and

dis-tribute artifacts that reflect their understandings.

Objective 3.1: Provide and support professional development that increases capacity of teachers to design and facilitate

mean-ingful experiences, thereby encouraging students to create, problem-solve, communicate, collaborate, and use real-world skills by applying technology purposefully.

Strategy 3.1.1 – Provide a variety of staff development opportunities to assist teachers in designing and

deliv-ering meaningful lessons that are both 21st _{century skill-based and strong in curricular content and to provide} opportunities for students to apply technology tools.

Strategy 3.1.2 – Tailor the staff development offerings to curricular integration of technology rather than “how

to use” the specific technology.

Strategy 3.1.3 – Provide new, focused, purposeful, and targeted staff development to assist ITRTs in

develop-ing and implementdevelop-ing professional development to teachers in a variety of modes that support the new ap-proach to teaching and learning.

FCPS Technology Plan Status

Purposeful Application of Tools for Learning

GOAL 3: Afford students with opportunities to apply technology effectively to gain knowledge, develop skills, and create and

dis-tribute artifacts that reflect their understandings.

Objective 3.2: Ensure that students, teachers, and administrators are ICT literate.

Strategy 3.2.1 – Ensure that all teachers and instructional administrators are TSIP certified.

Strategy 3.2.2 – Provide a NETS*T like certification program for teachers to pursue and achieve the

knowledge and skills as prescribed in the NETS*T standards.

Strategy 3.2.3 – Review NETS*S, NETS*T and NETS*A standards with administrators annually.

Strategy 3.2.4 – Develop and implement a NETS*S formative assessment to be completed once a year

begin-ning in third grade and culminate with a NETS*S summative assessment completed prior to the end of eighth grade.

Purposeful Application of Tools for Learning

GOAL 3: Afford students with opportunities to apply technology effectively to gain knowledge, develop skills, and create and

dis-tribute artifacts that reflect their understandings.

Objective 3.3: Implement technology-based formative assessments that produce further growth in content knowledge and skill

development.

Strategy 3.3.1 – Provide division-wide access to web-accessible formative assessment systems.

Strategy 3.3.2 - Integrate the use of curricula, instruction, and formative assessment in daily instructional

FCPS Technology Plan Status

Use of Authentic Technology Tools to Extend Learning Capabilities

GOAL 4: Provide students with access to authentic and appropriate tools to gain knowledge, develop skills, extend capabilities

and create and disseminate artifacts that demonstrate their understandings.

Objective 4.1: Provide resources and support to ensure that every student has access to a personal computing device.

Strategy 4.1.1 – Evaluate, reallocate, and supplement as needed current resources in each school to ensure

that each student has access to a personal computing device throughout the school day.

Strategy 4.1.2 – Provide appropriate tools that extend the learning capabilities of all students and provide real

world application.

Strategy 4.1.3 – Provide appropriate technology tools for student and teacher within their learning

environ-ment that promotes communication, collaboration, creativity, innovation, and project-based learning.

Use of Authentic Technology Tools to Extend Learning Capabilities

GOAL 4: Provide students with access to authentic and appropriate tools to gain knowledge, develop skills, extend capabilities

and create and disseminate artifacts that demonstrate their understandings.

Objective 4.2: Provide technical and pedagogical support to ensure that students, teachers, and administrators can effectively

access and use technology tools.

Strategy 4.2.1 – Provide teachers and administrators with the necessary training in the selection and use of

21st _{century tools that promote communication, collaboration, creativity, innovation, and project-based learning} in real-world application founded on good curricular content.

Strategy 4.2.2 – Provide students with the necessary training through authentic real-world application in the

classroom embedded in good curricular content on the use and selection of appropriate technology tools.

Strategy 4.2.3 – Provide a technical support structure that ensures that timely support is received so that

FCPS Technology Plan Status

Use of Authentic Technology Tools to Extend Learning Capabilities

GOAL 4: Provide students with access to authentic and appropriate tools to gain knowledge, develop skills, extend capabilities

and create and disseminate artifacts that demonstrate their understandings.

Objective 4.3: Identify and disseminate information and resources that assist educators in selecting authentic and appropriate

tools for all grade levels and curricular areas.

Strategy 4.3.1 - Provide a searchable database that includes curriculum, state standards, descriptions,

appro-priate technology tools, and assessments to promote effective and authentic instructional technologies across the county.

Strategy 4.3.2 – Identify, evaluate, and disseminate information about new and emerging technologies. Strategy 4.3.3 – Provide opportunities for teachers to participate in a district-sponsored technology pilot grant

program.

Authentic and Intelligent Assessments

GOAL 5: Use technology to support a culture of data-driven decision making that relies upon data to evaluate and improve

teaching and learning.

Objective 5.1: Use data to inform and adjust technical, pedagogical, and financial support.

Strategy 5.1.1 – Use data to inform strategic planning and technology purchases.

Strategy 5.1.2 – Conduct online survey to assess the technical and instructional technology support for

FCPS Technology Plan Status

Authentic and Intelligent Assessments

GOAL 5: Use technology to support a culture of data-driven decision making that relies upon data to evaluate and improve

teaching and learning.

Objective 5.2: Provide support to help teacher disaggregate, interpret, and use data to plan, improve, and differentiate

instruc-tion.

Strategy 5.2.1 - Provide timely formative and summative assessment results to teachers, administrators,

coor-dinators, and leadership through a data warehouse.

Strategy 5.2.2 – Provide training for teachers, administrators, coordinators, and leadership on how to

dis-aggregate, interpret, and use assessment data.

Strategy 5.2.3 – Provide a searchable database of resources for teachers with alternative lessons linked to

as-sessment data to improve and differentiate instruction.

Strategy 5.2.4 – Provide a data team of instructional and support staff that will be responsible for planning,

training, support, and expertise to sustain the use of data-driven decision making.

Authentic and Intelligent Assessments

GOAL 5: Use technology to support a culture of data-driven decision making that relies upon data to evaluate and improve

teaching and learning.

Objective 5.3: Promote the use of technology to inform the design and implementation of next-generation standardized

assess-ments.

Strategy 5.3.1 – Provide teachers with the ability to use technology tools (such as electronic voting devices,

online assessment programs, personal computing device, interactive white boards) to implement formative as-sessments with real-time results provided.

Strategy 5.3.2 – Expand the use of authentic and project-based assessments using electronic rubrics. Strategy 5.3.3 – Provide the technology needed to ensure that every student creates and maintains an

elec-tronic collection of artifacts that represent their growth and achievements throughout their K-12 education in Fauquier County Public Schools