District Technology Plan (Rio Grande City CISD)

Week 2 - Blog Post # 2 - District Technology Plan

The Rio Grande City CISD is the local school district in my area. The district serves an area which is 95.60% economically disadvantaged. The current Technology Plan serves for the school years 2009-2012. Like every school district in the State of Texas, their plan is aligned to meet the goals set forth in the Texas Long range Plan for Technology. The four key areas of the Long Range Plan are addressed by the district's technology plan. Their plan also details a strong needs assessment in which problem areas have been identified and recommendations are outlined in order to remedy the situation and provide for continuous improvement. The plan is put together through the collaborative efforts of Technology Planning Committee compromised of the Technology Department and technology representatives teams (teachers and parents). It is presented to principals and SBDM teams for reviews and changes.

In the area of Teaching and Learning the district will provide for the learning needs of the students by integrating the use of technology in expanded curriculum, ensure that students have access that enables their potential and increases their technology proficiencies. The plan also prepares each student to meet TEKS Technology Applications standards. Technology resources are also extended to provide parents the opportunity of technology education through district and/or grant funds. Currently the district has a 3:1 student to computer ratio and 100% of the classrooms have direct connection to the Internet. The plan also provides for an increase and creation of numerous computer labs for various campuses throughout the district.

Educator Preparation and Development is addressed in several areas of the plan. Outlined is a 30% budget allocation for professional development. It provides for opportunities to apply for technology teaching grants and training of all paraprofessional, technology technicians and auxiliary staff. The goals revolve around increasing of technology proficiencies by all staff in order to increase student learning and achievement.

Leadership, Administration and Support goals are to provide staff with the tools needed to accomplish planning, decision making, and administrative tasks. This includes integrating planning for technology in all campuses, providing adequate training, updating the district's website, and encouraging the expanded use of technology in the classroom. The district will continually evaluate the plan in order to meet the goals of the Long Range Plan.

Infrastructure for Technology goals are the lengthiest in the district's plan. The district is tasked with providing the most up to date technology to meet the needs of both educators and students. Goals include 3:1 student to workstation ration, a computer for every teacher, increased library computers, continued high speed Internet access, collaborations with local colleges and universities, seeking new technology grant applications, and networking new schools built in the district.

The plan is continuously evaluated by the district representatives once a month. They make recommendations to the principals and SBDM teams on effectiveness. Any needed adjustments to the plan will be through a coordinator effort in order to ensure technology is used to promote student learning and stay withing the key areas of the Texas Long range Plan for Technology.

The district is poised to strive and achieve Target Tech as outlined in the Texas STaR Chart . Although they are currently averaging Developing Tech and Advanced Tech in several areas they are continuously reaching to move beyond and establish a district with Target tech Status. The desired outcomes are set forth in a detailed timeline and are geared towards making students successful, technology literate and productive learners. Through integrated use of technology, resource availability, professional development administrative support and immense infrastructure the district will implement, evaluate and revise their technology plan as needed to insure that all goals are met.