Goals for the upcoming year (from July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005) as reported on our October 2004 DOE Technology reporting

The job of the Telecommunications Department is to support the instructional process and be responsible for the network infrastructure that allows the instructional process to meet our system goals.

Currently involved in a two year FY 2004-2005, 2005-2006 project to upgrade the entire wide area network connectivity to all schools and city buildings to fiber.  This involves not only the stringing of the fiber throughout the city but the purchase and installation of new switches and GBICS.   The new fiber network will allow for more reliable connectivity along with increased network bandwidth.

With the purchase of specialized instructional programs such as Read 180, SRI, Scholastic Red and Reading First which highly integrate technology into the curriculum it is necessary to provide to our schools file servers that not only run the programs but collect individual student data which can then be analyzed to show student progress.  We are also planning to implement iTeacher components of iPASS our Student Information System. 

In order to meet and exceed the goal of having a 5:1 computer ratio in our district we have devoted both district and grant based monies to the purchase of high capacity computer workstations.  This is one of our NCLB goals. 

The purchase of Smart Boards with LCD/DLP projectors to support the instructional process in the teaching of ELA and Math.  Other equipment purchased includes PDA’s, DVD playback systems, video conferencing equipment and lap top carts with wireless technology. 

The district has earmarked 25% of its technology budget to the training of its instructional staff in technology.  All teachers in our district were given the DOE Teacher Technology Use Survey.  From the results obtained the district is focusing on areas where teachers need assistance.  The school department has recently established a Professional Development Facility which is equipped with the latest current technology to assist us with the process.