Assessment of Existing Professional Development Activities and Structures

We currently are designing professional development activities to be aligned with the basic beliefs that form the state Framework guidelines state MCAS requirements, and National NCBL requirements.  We have high expectations for all students based on the belief that all children can become lifelong learners and meet high standards.  This guiding belief is the basis for establishing high expectations for teaching and learning in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  We also share the Common Core of Learning goal that all lead productive, fulfilling, and successful lives in our complex, diverse and changing world.  We will be actively integrating technology into all curriculum areas to expand our support for the Curriculum Frameworks.  Our Internet access to global information sources, along with integration into subject areas, will be emphasized.   

Current professional development activities are being offered.   Workshops are now being offered by the Curriculum Development and Telecommunications Departments which are offered city-wide.  Initiatives to support student achievement in reading are Read 180, SRI, Scholastic Red and Smart Board technologies to support teachers in the integration of technology into the reading and math curriculum.  These programs allow us to assess student achievement and facilitate NCLB reporting.  Trainings on Class Compass assist teachers in posting web pages to integrate their class activities utilizing web pages. Upon request the Telecommunication Department offers professional development city wide along with specialized staff workshops on site, corresponding to specific needs of administrators, teachers, staff, and students.  The professional training facility at the Telecom Dept. building is being utilized for a variety of trainings including the iPASS web based student information system which allows us to gather data for DOE reporting.  The new financial package (MUNIS) will allow the bookkeeping department and the schools to more efficiently manage of the school department finances. This web base system utilizes the administrative network and provides web based access as buildings are brought up on the new fiber network.  Building based trainings are ongoing as part of TPD (Technology Professional Development) staff that was part of the Project MEET trained Technology Professionals.

The Telecommunications department staff also provides television support to all teachers and staff.  The telecommunications department staff also conducts the repair and service of all traditional audio-visual and VCR equipment and materials.

We realize that the supporting of teachers, administrators and other staff with professional development is the most important section of our technology plan.  The future of our plan depends upon teachers and administrators successfully implementing the plan.  To accomplish this we are providing staff development to key technology persons and teaching staff in the school system, realizing that technology skills are the key to becoming active users and teachers of technology.

·        Our staff development programs will be organized to provide a focus for improving education in our school system.  We are creating a staff development program that will:

- introduce computer technologies and how they operate

- provide educators with accessible training opportunities

- Masters Degree program in Administration Technology with Framingham State College

- Worcester Poly Tech - Distance Learning classes in Middle School Mathematics

    - Read 180

    - Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI)

    - Scholastic Red

    - Houghton Mifflin math (Ways to Success)

        - providing two online courses for credit or PDP's.

    - Smart Board technologies

    - Class Compass

- focus on the teaching of administrators, and staff, not only technology related staff

- continuing to provide an introduction to operating systems (Windows XP Professional, MAC in specialized areas)

- continuing to provide support in the areas of  word processing, spread sheet, database, and presentation software (Microsoft Office 2003 Professional)

- continuing to emphasize hands on activities

- instruction in the use of multi media software (CD-ROM’s, CD-RW’s, DVD’s, Scanners, Digital photography, Digital Video, Smart Boards, LCD projectors, hand held devices such as Palms and CE devises etc.)

- continuing to provide instruction in facilitation methods of teaching

- continuing to provide instruction of the integration of technology into the curriculum

- provide on-going opportunities to practice skills emphasizing self-instruction

- establish building technology user support groups through on site workshops

- provide introduction to telecommunications software

- provide introduction to Internet access and uses in the classroom

- provide follow-up support

- arrange creative planning of times for workshops (after school, Saturdays, in-service, evenings etc.)

- schedule more involved training sessions as teachers advance in skills