The Technology Plan includes the mission, vision and the following 3 goals:

1) replacement plan for desktops, laptops throughout the district, as well as for the 1:1 iPad initiative where all staff and students Grades 3-12 (except for one elementary school where this program starts in 4th grade)

2) continuation of upgrades and security of local and wireless networks, increase internet bandwidth, and web-based resources in the classrooms in the district

3) replacement of projectors and SMART Boards with interactive flat panel displays

The planning process is as follows:

• Technology committees are formed in each school.

• Elementary school committees meet monthly and include representatives from each grade level, technology, library, special areas, and building administration.

• Middle school and high school technology committees meet twice monthly and include representatives from each department, as well as technology, library, special areas, and building administration. (Students can also attend the high school technology committee meetings when possible.) Other stakeholders include monthly meetings with the central office as well as with the parent/community. These meetings address all aspects of technology which helps to create the technology plan and ensures the steps are being followed throughout the school year.

Professional Development Offerings: Staff members with expertise in certain technologies are paid to instruct courses for professional development and teachers are offered inservice credits to salary increments or hours that can be applied towards their CTLE requirements. Technology Staff Developers are also on-site to help with demonstrating software, apps, and other web-based resources. Teachers can also take advantage of off-site conferences and workshops in order to attend current professional development opportunities.

Evaluation of the Instructional Technology Goals: Google Forms is used to gather feedback from all stakeholders and adjustments are made to goals if necessary.

Action Plan: Each goal includes the targeted student population, a description of the action, the responsible stakeholder, and the anticipated date of completion and cost.

NYSED Initiatives Alignment: The main focus of the Instructional Technology program is to integrate technology and increase student achievement by offering computer instruction in Pre-K to Grades 2. The 1:1 iPad initiative is implemented in Grades 3-12. All high school students are required to complete one full credit of computer elective coursework. Students with disabilities and ELL have access to an array of assistive technology devices as well as all instructional materials, and professional development is available for all teachers of Students with Disabilities and ELL. Culturally-responsive instruction and learning is also addressed with instructional technology.

Administrative Management Plan: Staff and Investment plans include the breakdown of instructional and technical support in the district, the items or service needed, their cost, and the funding source. Other information includes the district website address, the URL of the Internet Safety policy, Cyberbullying Policy, Parents’ Bill of Rights for Data and Security, the district’s planned response to an information breach, and a direct link to the district’s technology plan on the district’s website.

When developing a school district technology plan, careful preparation is important because it will have a direct impact on student achievement and instructional strategies. After reviewing Great Neck School District’s Technology Plan, I have some suggestions to improve their current strategies.

One addition to the action plan includes the implementation of a student digital portfolio showcase in grades K-12. The portfolios will include student-centered inquiry projects that span across all content areas. Students will have the ability to update their portfolios throughout their time at school. Since the collection will be hosted on bulb, a digital portfolio application, students will be able to upload all types of assignments, which will show their growth during their years at the district. The portfolio will be accessible after they graduate, and can be used as a resume or a presentation when applying for future employment.

A second suggestion is the ongoing maintenance of the websites of the individual departments within the schools. After the recent total revamp of the district website, teachers now have the ability to edit their own section of their department websites. This will allow teachers to display which educational technology tools they are using in their classrooms, as well as featuring the final products created by their students. In addition, the student digital portfolios will be added to these websites, allowing the school community to easily access the students’ work.

Another improvement to this plan includes the explicit integration of the ISTE standards. Currently, there is no direct mention of these standards and this needs to be addressed. Each of the ISTE guidelines prepare students with lifelong skills, teaching them how to think critically, problem solve, evaluate information, create digital artifacts, and collaborate with one another, all with the use of technology.

Finally, because this plan was written for the 2018-2021 academic school year, remote learning is nonexistent in this technology plan. As a result, both synchronous and asynchronous learning, Zoom and Google Meet video conferencing, and the issue of online testing should be considered and deliberately examined in this plan.