Taunton Public Schools



TECHNOLOGY PLAN 2007-2010

Benchmark 4

Accessibilty of Technology

Current and Proposed Status of Guidelines

The following illustrates the Current Status of Taunton's technology to the
DOE Benchmarks and Proposed Direction by the new Technology Plan.

DOE Benchmark
Taunton's 2007 Status
Proposed Direction
Progress 2007-2008
A. Hardware Access      
1. The district has an average ratio of fewer than five students per high-capacity, Internet-connected computer. The Department will work with stakeholders to review the capacity of the computer on an annual basis. (The goal is to have a one-to-one, high-capacity, Internet-connected computer ratio.)  
  1. Currently the District has a 2.8 ratio per A/B/C computers. This includes classroom and lab computers. Several schoosl require computer upgrades to be able to make the claim for the next few years.
  2. The Technology Director prepares the annual report for review of the capacity of the computer.
  • Taunton continues to strive to replace old computers though curriculum revisions, instructional initiatives and through the 5 year replacement cycle. Update Replacement Cycle (to be revised)
Progress will be updated in June of each year.
2. The district provides students with access to portable and/or handheld electronic devices appropriate to their grade level. 2. Some students have access to AlphaSmarts, calculators, and science probes. Not every student has access to a personal hand held device.
  • The district will provide students with portable devices as curriculum requires. Technology department will support inititiave.
Progress will be updated in June of each year.
3. The district maximizes access to the general education curriculum for all students, including students with disabilities, using technology in classrooms with universal design principles and assistive technology devices. 3. The district has a process for requesting assistive technology for students which will enable them to maximize access to the general curriculumLabs have UD access, classroom upgrades include UD design (ie sound systems)
  • Update TASK website
  • Post process for requesting AT
  • Technology Director works with Director of Special Education director to make sure budget includes AT and provides appropriate services to Special Education students.
  • Outside resources for assessments.
  • Update system for inventory
Progress will be updated in June of each year.
4. The district has procurement policies for information and instructional technologies that ensure usability, equivalent access, and interoperability. Currently, all technology procurements are conducted throught the technology department to insure usability, equivalent access, and interoperatbility. Schools submit to Technology Dept all technology requests for the next year's budget. Technology Department works with Dept heads to design larger technology projects. Tech Director submits a technology budget to the Business Manager for upcoming year.
  • Post on website procedure for requesting technology items.
  • Work with Asst. Supt for Business and Finance to prepare Technology Budget
Progress will be updated in June of each year.
5. The district provides classroom access to devices such as digital projectors and electronic whiteboards.

The District has begun installing SmartBoards by department request. The new elementary school will have SmartBoards in the lab and library, and digital projectors in every room.

Every elementary computer lab now has ceiling mounted digital projector.

Include in classroom models addition of Electronic Whiteboards and digital projectors. Progress will be updated in June of each year.
6. The district has established a computer replacement cycle of five years or less. The District currently is at the end of its current five year replacement cycle. It needs to be updated. Update computer replacement cycle for the next 3 years and include budget. Progress will be updated in June of each year.
B. Internet Access      
1. The district provides connectivity to the Internet in all classrooms in all schools including wireless connectivity, if possible.

TMLP provides high speed Internet/network connectivity in all classrooms.

Wireless is being added where needed.

  • The District will continue to provide high speed connectivity and add wireless as laptops are introduced.

 

 Progress will be updated in June of each year.
2. The district provides bandwidth of at least 10/100/1 Gb to each classroom. At peak, the bandwidth at each computer is at least 100 kbps. The network card for each computer is at least 10/100/1 Gb. The District meets these recommendations.
  • Monitor the use of bandwidth as we add web based applications.
  • Notify TMLP when additional bandwidth is required.
Progress will be updated in June of each year.
C. Networking (LAN/WAN      
1. The district provides a minimum 100 Mb Cat 5 switched network and/or 802.11b/g/n wireless network. The District meets these recommendations.
  • Continue to update schools' infrastructures as needed.
Progress will be updated in June of each year.
2. The district provides access to servers for secure file sharing, backups, scheduling, email, and web publishing, either internally or through contracted services. The district currently provides servers for all services. It is currently working on a plan to consolidate servers into a blade server technology.
  • Develop a plan to move from stand-alone servers to blade servers in order to save on space and energy.
  • Continue to maintain servers.
  • Investigate applications that are served offsite.
  • Provide a centralized SAN solution.
  • Provide systems for remote support (SCCM, WSUS).
  • Update email system to prepare for archiving.
Progress will be updated in June of each year.
D. Access to the Internet Outside the School Day
1. The district works with community groups to ensure that students and staff have access to the Internet outside of the school day.
  1. The district has limited contact with community groups. It has invited the director of the Boys and Girls club to its Technology Planning Advisory Board to address this issue.
  2. Schools are open 1 hour before and 1 hour after school for after school use.
  • Start an outreach sub committee as part of the Technology Committee, including B&G Club member.
  • Work with grants coordinators, principals and Extended Day Care to provide before schoool, after school and holiday school technology access for students.
Progress will be updated in June of each year.
2. The district web site includes an up-to-date list of places where students and staff can access the Internet after school hours.
  • The District needs to include an up-to-date list of places.
  • The Outreach sub committee will provide an up-to-date list of places.
Progress will be updated in June of each year.
E. Staffing      
1. The district provides a network administrator. The district has 2 positions that share network administrator and other functions
  • Continue to support the 2 positions.
Progress will be updated in June of each year.
2. The district provides timely in-classroom technical support with clear information about how to access the support, so that technical problems will not cause major disruptions to curriculum delivery.

The District uses a web based system to report and assign technical support.

The District does have a front line person in each building prior to reporting the problem.

The District does not have as timely in-classroom technical support due to the lack of personnel.

The tech support has remote access to all systems in the district/

  • Purchase SchoolDude for the Technology and the Building Dept. which can sense and report certain problems.
Progress will be updated in June of each year.
3. The district provides at least one FTE person to support 200 computers. Technical support can be provided by dedicated staff or contracted services. The District currently employs 2 network adminsitrator/computer technicians for over 3000 computers. The District also relies on the IT teachers and paraprofessionals to be front line support.
  • Fill the vacant Media Specialist position
  • Propose additional technician position
  • Enlist high school A+ student for non secure jobs.
  • Provide more training and access rights to IT teachers/department chairs and specific teachers.
Progress will be updated in June of each year.

DESE Approval Letter April 2009