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Burlington Township School District 1

All Students Achieving

BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS

TECHNOLOGY PLAN

2013-2016



Table of Contents

Contents ABOUT BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS ................................................................................................. 4

District Mission Statement........................................................................................................................ 4

District Vision ............................................................................................................................................ 4

Technology Plan Committee Members .................................................................................................... 4

TECHNOLOGY INVENTORY ............................................................................................................................ 5

Technology Equipment including Assistive Technologies ......................................................................... 5

Student/Staff Workstations .................................................................................................................. 5

Projectors/Document Cameras/Elmo Tablets ...................................................................................... 7

Interactive SmartBoards ....................................................................................................................... 7

Printers ................................................................................................................................................. 7

Assistive Technologies .......................................................................................................................... 7

Networking Capacity/Equipment ............................................................................................................ 8

Software Used for Curricular Support ..................................................................................................... 9

Microsoft Office 2010 ........................................................................................................................... 9

AutoCAD ................................................................................................................................................ 9

PhotoShop ............................................................................................................................................. 9

Google Apps for Education ................................................................................................................... 9

Powerschool .......................................................................................................................................... 9

Pearson Inform ................................................................................................................................... 10

Web Browsers ..................................................................................................................................... 10

Vbrick .................................................................................................................................................. 10

Destiny ................................................................................................................................................ 10

Telecommunications Equipment and Services ....................................................................................... 11

VOIP Phones ........................................................................................................................................ 11

Cellular and Wireless Communications .............................................................................................. 11

Calling Software .................................................................................................................................. 11



Security Equipment and Services ............................................................................................................ 11

Other Services ......................................................................................................................................... 11

NEEDS ASSESSMENT ................................................................................................................................... 12

THREE-YEAR IMPLEMENTATION AND STRATEGIES TABLE .......................................................................... 16

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT .................................................................................................................. 23

EVALUATION PLAN ...................................................................................................................................... 27

FUNDING PLAN (July 2013- June 2014) ...................................................................................................... 27



ABOUT BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS Burlington Township School District (BTSD) is a Pre-K to 12th grade district serving the students of

Burlington Township, New Jersey. The 2013 student population is in excess of 4,000 students.

District Mission Statement The Burlington Township School District will develop the intellectual, creative, and social potential of

each child through an active partnership with all members of the community.

District Vision The vision of the District is “All Students Achieving”

Technology Plan Committee Members Walter Spiehs, District Supervisor, Committee Co-Chair

Mary Ann Bell, Business Administrator, Committee Co-Chair, Parent

Milton Dilligard, Board of Education Member, Parent

Christopher Manno, Superintendent of Schools, Parent

Ann M. Britt, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction

Philip Brownridge, Principal, Burlington Township High School

Ryan Winkelspect, Vice-Principal, Burlington Township Middle School

Helen Saul, Vice-Principal, Fountain Woods Elementary School

Gary Russell, Vice-Principal, B. Bernice Young School

Kirt Thomason, District Math Coach and Google Apps for Education Cluster for the District

Valerie Schwartz, Secretary, Middle School Guidance

Jason Ciarlante, Technology Manager

Heather Garfield, PowerSchool Administrator

Joanne Smith, Computer/Technology Teacher



TECHNOLOGY INVENTORY

Technology Equipment including Assistive Technologies

Student/Staff Workstations

Below please find a table that includes the different models of computers, including device

specifications, we have throughout the district.

Optiplex 760 Optiplex 745 Optiplex GX620 Optiplex 755 Latitude D830

Processor Speed

Intel Core 2; 3.33GHz

Intel Core 2; 2.66 GHz

2.8 GHz Intel Core 2;

3.16 GHz Intel Core 2; 2.6

GHz

Memory 2 Gb 2 GB 512 MB 2 GB 2 GB

Screen Resolution 1280x1024 1280x1024 1280x1024 1280x1024 1900x1200

Monitor Display Size

17 17 17 17 15.4'

Browsers

Google Chrome; FireFox; IE





Type of device (laptop, desktop, virtual)

Desktop Desktop Desktop Desktop Laptop

Latitude E6500 Ncomputing

X550 Ncomputing

L300 MACS HP

Workstations

Processor Speed

Intel Core 2; 2.66 GHz

AMD Phenom II; 787 MHz

Intel ( R) Xeon 9 R) CPU 2.80 GHZ

(2 Processors)

Intel Core 2 Duo; 2.66 GHz

Intel Pentium 3.20 GHz

Memory 2 GB 4 GB 24 GB 4 GB 2 GB

Screen Resolution 1900x1200 1366x768 1366x768 1680x1050 1280x960

Monitor Display Size

15.4' 17 or 19 18.5 25 17

Browsers






Type of device (laptop, desktop, virtual)

Laptop Desktop Desktop/Server Desktop Desktop



School Computers

BTHS Student

Teaching Staff

Administrative Staff

524

100

68

MS

Student

Teaching Staff


381

94

18

Fountain Woods Elem.

Student

Teaching Staff


285

88

14

Young

Student

Teaching Staff


211

72

15

District Total 1870

From the above total, 1870, the Technology Department will determine and make recommendations to

administration on the need to replace machines that are obsolete due to age, hardware capacity, and

software limitations.

Currently as this plan is written, grades Pre –Kindergarten through second grade classrooms generally

have four computer stations in each classroom for students and one teacher station. Third through fifth

grade classrooms generally have four student workstations and one teacher station. Grades sixth

through eighth generally have three student workstations per classroom and one teacher station. Ninth

through twelfth grade classrooms generally have three student workstations per classroom and one

teacher station. Additionally, the Middle School has access to mobile carts with laptops for student use.

Eleven labs have been installed at the High School, five labs have been installed at the Middle School,

three labs are housed in the Fountain Woods School, and one lab is housed in the Bernice Young School.

These labs are used for tools applications (word processing, database, spreadsheets, and desktop

publishing), Internet instruction, and whole class instruction. Additionally, these labs also provide the

district with training facilities for in-service and after-school workshops. The Media Center in the Middle

School has eleven workstations for student use and the Fountain Woods School has a bank of six work

stations.

There are immediate expansion plans to create two additional computer labs at the Middle School.

Educators have desktop computers in every classroom along with access to the Media Center and

Computer labs within their schools.



Administrators have either desktops or laptops in their office.

Projectors/Document Cameras/Elmo Tablets

Most High School, Middle School, and Fountain Woods School classrooms have LCD projectors. About

half the Young School classrooms currently have projectors and there are future plans to install

projectors in most Young School classrooms. In addition most classrooms at Fountain Woods have

document cameras. There are also some documents cameras throughout the other school buildings.

There are also a few classrooms that utilize Elmo tablets throughout the district.

Interactive SmartBoards

Interactive whiteboards are installed in some classrooms throughout the district.

Printers

Generally there is one networked laser printer per classroom throughout the District. In addition, each

school throughout the district has access to at least one networked high volume black and white printer

and at least one networked high volume color printer. Also, the High School has a networked wide

format color plotter/printer that is utilized for both CAD and graphics classes.

Assistive Technologies

The Burlington Township School District integrates assistive technology and appropriate devices into the

network to accommodate all students’ needs. The assessment of individual student’s educational needs

and the relevance of assistive technology strategies and devices are ongoing throughout the district.

This process helps to determine the effectiveness of the assistive strategies and the devices in

facilitating the students functioning within the school environment.

Child Study Teams identify assistive technology needs on a case by case basis. Such accommodations

include technology equipment and assistive software.

Some examples are:

● Laptops

● Interactive Whiteboards

● Large print keyboards

● Earobics

● Boardmaker

● Intellitools

● Interactive Metronome



Networking Capacity/Equipment Fiber interconnectivity between buildings, 2GB between buildings Cisco switches Cat 5e or better Cisco core switch 5 L300 servers 7 NVR’s 22 physical servers 20 virtual servers 6 Domain Controllers Currently, all schools have wiring infrastructure in place. All classrooms and small instructional areas are

wired with CAT5, or better, cabling with fiber backbone.

The core of the network is located within the High School. A total of 71 managed switches are located

throughout the buildings. Located in the data room there are 22 physical servers some of which host 20

virtual servers. Building to building connectivity is either single or multi-mode fiber and within buildings

the connections are mostly fiber with a couple of copper connections remaining.

With all of the schools’ local area networks connected to the main hub and full Internet connectivity at

each of the schools, the district has established its wide-area network. This wide-area network consists

of one domain. All of the schools within the District have been connected via fiber. A two-gigabit

backbone is currently used with the possibility to expand, if needed.

Filtering Method Use of the Internet is a valuable tool and unfortunately has potential possibilities for abuse and/or targeting of unexpected students. iBoss is currently being used in the District to filter unwanted Internet sites and block inappropriate or harmful content to protect students. The District blocks categories, which are deemed non-educational or inappropriate based on curricular needs/outcomes. iBoss Web Filter is used as the filtering method in the district. Utilizing an iBoss feature, QOS – quality of service, the administrator can create groups within the user groups, this allows for increase and decrease of internet accessibility and speeds as needed for particular users, for example during PARCC testing. Another ability of this tool is the ability to filter by user group. This can allow staff to have more access than students.

iBoss Reporter allows for the administrator to monitor internet activity including searches that include objectionable content or questionable search words. This fosters CIPRA compliance. This tool also allows for the administrator to monitor bandwidth usage by user or school building.

Future plans include fully utilizing the suite of the tools to allow the Superintendent or the Business Administrator access to reports of internet usage.



Software Used for Curricular Support

Microsoft Office 2010

The district provides Microsoft Office 2010 (Word, Excel, Access, Publisher and PowerPoint) for use in

the district by staff and students. This supports curriculum activities in the development of skills

associated with these applications.

AutoCAD

AutoCAD is a software application for computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting. This software is used

in the CAD course offered at the High School. Students develop an in-depth knowledge and workings in

the industry leader software package by completing design activities that integrate problem-solving

skills and AutoCAD commands.

PhotoShop

Adobe Photoshop is utilized is several Visual Arts courses offered at both the High School and the

Middle School. Students develop knowledge and understanding of the graphic arts field, its processes

and procedures, as well as the production of computer generated images and designs.

Google Apps for Education

Google Apps for Education is a suite of tools for educators and students. While there are

many applications included in Google Apps, the main tools are Gmail (email), Google Drive

(or Docs), which can be thought of like Windows “My Documents," Calendar, Contacts, Sites

(websites), Blogger (to create blogs), and many more applications. The power of Google

Apps is that it is a web-based “platform neutral” solution. The TOOLS foster consistency of

platform across the district and for students and staff at home. There is no longer the need

to save documents on thumb drives or wonder on which computer you saved a file. All

documents are saved in “a cloud” and are accessible via the Internet anywhere in the world

using various devices.

Google Apps provides computing Safety and Security for users. Google Apps for Education includes

dozens of critical security features specifically designed to keep your data safe, secure and in your

control. And, in Drive, documents are saved automatically and immediately with every revision; there is

never a need to "save." Large organizations such as Rutgers University and many school districts across

the State and Country have successfully implemented Google Apps for Education.

Google Sites is also being used as the teacher website and blogger tool.

Powerschool

A student information system (SIS) from NCS Pearson Inc. called PowerSchool is utilized throughout the

district. PowerSchool is the school district's electronic student management system where student

information is collected and stored. All administrative offices at the High School, Middle School,

Fountain Woods School, and Young School are connected to the district wide network (both



PowerSchool servers are Windows Server 2008), thus allowing sharing of student records and related

information. High School, Middle School, Fountain Woods School, and Young School teachers have been

trained on PowerTeacher, a SIS component, which allows for submission of daily/period attendance and

grades. Student information for the High School, Middle School, Fountain Woods School, and Young

School is available to the teachers in their classrooms from PowerTeacher. If needed, teachers may

have access to PowerSchool on a view only basis. Parents can also utilize a feature called Parent Portal.

The Portal is the "doorway" into the system giving parents access to information about their children.

The PowerSchool Parent Portal gives parents and students access to real-time information including

attendance, grades, and detailed assignment descriptions and teacher comments. Everyone stays

connected. Students can stay on top of assignments, parents are able to participate in their children's

progress, and teachers can share information with parents and students. Parent Portal is available for all

parents of High School, Middle School, and Fountain Woods students.

Pearson Inform

Through the use of Inform, an achievement data analysis tool, teaching staff are able to easily gain

information on student’s State testing results on the NJ ASK in math and language arts proficiencies for

grades four through nine based on testing in grades three through eight. Results for the High School

Proficiency Assessment are also available for High School teachers. The information provides an overall

math or language arts score along with results on specific performance standards that were tested.

Additionally, results from student benchmarked reading levels using Fountas and Pinnell benchmark

assessments, for grades kindergarten through six, can accessed through Inform’s web based software by

teachers in those grade levels.

Web Browsers

Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome

Vbrick

BTSD has adopted the Vbrick video distribution system which allows us to stream video, broadcast

special events.

Destiny

BTSD uses an on-line cataloging system available on network workstations for accessing library

resources.

Smartsync Monitoring software utilized by technology teachers to track class progress.

Technology Maintenance and Support The technology department and network management is provided by Pitt Bull Secure Technologies via a competitive contracting award. This contract includes 1 manager, 3 technicians and 1 PowerSchool



administrator. Included in this contract are support for all district hardware and first level support for much of the district owned software. Additional support for PowerSchool is provided by Pearson and MCIU and other application support is

provided based on various contracts and service level agreements.

BTSD also stipends, via a federal grant, 1 district level Google Apps cluster coordinator and 4 building

based Google Apps cluster coordinators to provide support to staff and students.

Telecommunications Equipment and Services

VOIP Phones

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) hosted phones services provided by Xtel Communications

purchased under state contract. This includes the leasing of 550 physical VOIP phone sets and an

additional 500 phantom extensions. This solution allows for accessibility to voicemail remotely and is

hosted outside the Burlington Township School District.

Cellular and Wireless Communications

Cellular and Wireless Communications is provided by Verizon Wireless and includes Smartphones,

Cellular phones and Tablet devices.

Calling Software

BTSD utilizes Synrevoice applications to initiate phone calls to parents and guardians regarding

absences. BTSD also utilizes this suite of applications to provide emergency calls to parents, guardians

and staff.

Security Equipment and Services All staff and most students have security cards/badges identifying them with a picture ID. Each School

building has been armed with an alarm for after school security. School policies are in effect for staff to

lock doors and close windows when they or students are not present. At this time very few offices are

utilizing a security system. The Technology Office is alarmed via door and motion sensors.

Other Services The District has its website hosted offsite. This allows the school district to communicate with staff and

our community even if the network goes down. This also allows for multiple people to be accessing the

web site at the same time with no traffic issues.

Web sites have been also been established for each school offsite. The addresses are as follows:

Burlington Township Schools www.burltwpsch.org/

http://www.burltwpsch.org/



Burlington Township High School www.burltwpsch.org/schools/hs/

Burlington Township Middle School at

Springside

www.burltwpsch.org/schools/ms/

Fountain Woods Elementary School www.burltwpsch.org/schools/fw/

B. Bernice Young Elementary School www.burltwpsch.org/schools/ys/

All teachers, support staff, and administrators have a district google account and can utilize google sites

to create their own web pages.

NEEDS ASSESSMENT Student requirements are based on individual ability and outlined in the course objectives/exit skills.

The State of New Jersey has implemented Grade Eight Technology Proficiency Assessment and results

are submitted yearly. Student aptitude in the Grade Eight Proficiency Assessment is very high, usually

between 95-98 percent proficient. Modifications and assessment strategies have been made to instill

these proficiencies in several grade levels. Additionally, student computer skills are assessed at the end

of each school year. With PARCC on the horizon it will be prudent to examine and make modifications

to technology skills in grades one through five. Changes must be incorporated to match any

need/requirement that the new assessment may entail. Emphasis will be placed on younger learners to

have the computer skills needed to take on-line testing and these skills must be provided to them in

grades one and two through the computer curriculum. Curriculum in grades six through eight has been

updated in the recent past and have demonstrated to be effective based on the Grade Eight Proficiency

Assessment required by the State. In the year ending 2012 the rate of proficiency was over ninety-seven

percent. Students not passing the proficiency requirements are remedied during their first technology

class offered in the High School.

Modifications have been made In the High School to the technology offering, Information Technology I,

incorporating personal finance requirements for graduation. The new course of study is titled,

Technology and Financial Literacy, and is offered to students in all grades, nine through twelve, but it is

predominantly taken by students in grades nine and ten.

The District has embraced the Google Apps format for email and document sharing. In the 2012-13

school year accounts for teachers, administrators, and support staff were configured and training with

the web based program has been performed. Accounts are in the process of being rolled out to

students in grades three through twelve. Continued support and training will be offered to

accommodate the learning curve for all users.

http://www.burltwpsch.org/schools/hs

http://www.burltwpsch.org/schools/ms

http://www.burltwpsch.org/schools/fw

http://www.burltwpsch.org/schools/ys



Through the use of Inform, an achievement data analysis tool, teaching staff are able to easily gain

information on student’s State testing results on the NJ ASK in math and language arts proficiencies for

grades four through nine based on testing in grades three through eight. Results for the High School

Proficiency Assessment are also available for High School teachers. The information provides an overall

math or language arts score along with results on specific performance standards that were tested.

Additionally, results from student benchmarked reading levels using Fountas and Pinnell benchmark

assessments, for grades kindergarten through six, can accessed through Inform’s web based software by

teachers in those grade levels.

It is our plan to have the Technology Office conduct a survey for both teachers/administrators and

student users to identify areas that are in need of improvement. Information gleaned from a well-

constructed survey can assist in determining levels of proficiency and areas of concern. This survey

could determine areas that need to be addressed immediately.

Educators have access to technology in each classroom throughout the district. Every teacher has at

least one teacher computer present. Most classrooms have three or more computers present.

Approximately 80% of the instructional classrooms have mounted projectors. Several classrooms

throughout the district are also equipped with interactive whiteboards and document cameras. In

addition, depending on the school, open lab time is available based on first-come-first-served sign-up

basis and availability during certain periods during the day.

Computers and related peripherals eventually reach obsolescence (the end of their life cycle and

usefulness). At that time, the increased maintenance costs exceed the equipment’s usefulness and it

doesn’t become cost-effective to continue utilizing the older equipment. The computer may become

incompatible due to outdated hardware, software updates, or processing speeds.

The following are recommendations for maintenance of technology equipment, removal of equipment

that has reached obsolescence, and the purchase of new equipment:

● Repair as needed by district technology staff

● Disposal of equipment will reside with the District Technology Office. Equipment should be

disposed through various recycling programs.

● Use equipment removed from service for replacement parts.

● Replace obsolete equipment as budget allows

Teaching staff has become dependent on the services that district technology office has now made

available to them such as email, voicemail, access to electronic grading, and attendance reporting

software. School administration is virtually impossible without the technology tools in place. Pupil data

management, communications, and payroll all utilize software components in order to make their tasks

possible utilizing the minimal amount of staff.



As technologies evolve, it is necessary to upgrade the existing network infrastructure as funds become

available. Currently the technology office has determined that older switches in some schools and

upgrades to the servers are a top priority for maintaining an efficient network. Such implementations

have meant proper planning of infrastructure, network electronics, PC acquisition, servers.

In addition, New Jersey has joined PARCC (the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and

Careers) which will affect the school district’s technology decisions in the future

In spring 2010, New Jersey joined PARCC (the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for

College and Careers), a consortium of 22 states and Washington, DC, who are working together

to develop a common set of assessments in English language arts/literacy and mathematics

aligned to the Common Core State Standards. These new summative assessments will measure

readiness and mark progress toward the goal of college and career readiness beginning in 3rd

grade, and provide teachers and schools with timely information to inform instruction and

provide student support. The PARCC assessments will be ready for states to administer during

the 2014-15 school year.

PARCC embraces the use of technology-enhanced test items that will better measure the full

range of students’ knowledge and critical thinking skills outlined in the Common Core State

Standards and its ability to provide item level analyses. This new initiative has created the need

for the Burlington Township School District to take steps to prepare for the rollout of these

future assessments.

PARCC has provided guidance as to what device specifications are needed to field their

assessments as one data point to help districts make decision about technology purchases and

upgrades. This guidance provides both a minimum specification by which to judge devices that

are currently running in districts and a recommended specification to guide all new device

purchases. (Erlichson, PARCC Updates memo)

Earlier this school year, we used the Tech Readiness Tool to participate in a survey designed to measure

technological readiness to field the PARCC assessments.

Earlier this school year, we used the Tech Readiness Tool to participate in a survey designed to measure

technological readiness to field the PARCC assessments.

The survey showed that statewide a large percentage of computers or other devices are

currently running Windows XP. Unfortunately, Microsoft has announced that they intend to stop

supporting Windows XP on April 8, 2014 and will not be sending security patches after that date.

Thus, all computers/devices that are currently running XP must be updated with “Service Pack

3” in order to meet minimum specifications for the PARCC assessments, but districts should

consider the lack of Microsoft support when deciding on technology purchases and upgrades. As

detailed in the PARCC specifications, updating XP with service pack 3 will allow these devices to



be used in the 2015 and 2016 assessments. Additionally, we can also announce that the PARCC

assessments will be compatible with many forms of tablets. (Erlichson, PARCC Updates memo)

The district will have to take this into consideration when planning future technology purchases and upgrades.

In order to support 21st century teaching and learning the following recommendations have been suggested:

● Installing projectors in the remaining classrooms in Young School

● Purchases of peripherals such as: document cameras, interactive whiteboards and computers

● Software/hardware upgrades/purchases to bring teachers’ classroom technology into the 21st

century

● Investigate wireless access points to support wireless devices

● Continue to purchase PARCC compliant hardware, as finances permit and network can support

● Increase bandwidth to the district



THREE-YEAR IMPLEMENTATION AND STRATEGIES TABLE

Burlington Township School District Schools and Community – Partners in Learning

Technology Plan 2013-16

Goal 1: Enhance student learning, engagement and incorporation of the “4Cs”; collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking through expansion of technology

Objectives:

1 Increase utilization of Google Apps and/or other online resources/tools inclusive of wireless devices

Action Timeline Responsibility Outcomes/Measures Status/ reflections Objectives Addressed

Provide teachers with training in teaching and integrating technology into their curriculum; including Google Apps and Project-based learning activities (All grades)

2013-16 Technology Office, Google Apps teachers, Assistant Superintendent, Principals, and District Supervisors

Elimination of handouts Increased collaboration Better use of new and currently owned peripherals Provide training for all grade levels Use of Google translate for ESL

Research and implementation of wireless tablets

2013-16 Technology Office, BA, Google Apps teachers, teachers and District Supervisor

Elimination of handouts Possible reduction/replacement of scientific calculators




Increase access and usage of online content

2013-16 Principals, District Supervisor, Assistant Superintendent, Technology Office and Teachers

Elimination/reduction of some textbooks Paired online/print resources in some areas (Math, Social Studies already) Implementation of blended learning environments

Research on-line resources such as YouTube, Go Live Campus, and other tools for student/teacher use and appropriate filtering level

2013-16 Principals, District Supervisor, Google Apps teachers, Technology Office, Assistant Superintendent

Best use/practices for available educational Internet resources





Goal 2: Provide infrastructure, hardware and software to support increased student and teacher engagement, collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking through technologies

Objectives:

1 Continue hardware purchases to support 21st century teaching and learning 2 Continue software purchases to support 21st century teaching and learning 3 Acquire peripherals such as: projectors, Elmos, Interactive White Boards and computers


Acquire LCD projectors 2013-16 Technology Supervisor, Principals, Superintendent, and Technology Office, Business Office

Use of projectable text and content in the classroom (Will not eliminate print material for younger readers) Increase in interactive learning through technology Increase devices for engaging lesson delivery

Acquire elmos 2013-16 Technology Supervisor, Principals, Superintendent, and Technology Office, Business Office

Use of projectable content from hard copy (print, three dimensional) source Increase in interactive learning through technology Increase devices for engaging lesson delivery




Acquire interactive whiteboards

2013-16 Technology Supervisor, Principals, Superintendent, and Technology Office, Business Office

Provide interactive multisensory approach to engage multiple learning styles in the classroom (visual, auditory, tactile, kinesthetic) Increase in interactive learning through technology Increase devices for engaging lesson delivery

Acquire computers 2013- 16 Technology Supervisor, Principals, Superintendent, and Technology Office, Maintenance Department, Business Office

Increase access to computers in school buildings through grade appropriate configurations as practicable

Investigate wireless computer use for Middle School and High School buildings

2013-16 Principals, District Supervisor, Technology Office, Assistant Superintendent, Teachers

Move toward Internet access not as much network access Add rooms where wireless technology is accessible

Research expansion Google account capacity & assess level of current usage and means to continue to assess

2013-16 Technology Office Expand usage for end-users




Continue to support specific applications like CAD, Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Finale

2013-16 Assistant Superintendent, Technology Office, Principals, Teachers, Supervisors

Continue to keep students computer skills in the software used most often in college and business





Goal 3: Comply with technology mandates for state testing Objectives:

1 Comply with PARCC requirements and recommendations within fiscal constraints of district


Increase bandwidth to district

2013-16 Technology Supervisor, Superintendent, and Technology Office, Business Office

Increased bandwidth

Continue to purchase PARCC compliant hardware, as finances permit and network can support

2013-16 Technology Supervisor, Principals, Superintendent, and Technology Office, Business Office

Additional PARCC compliant hardware

Provide training to ensure effective implementation of PARCC technologies

2013-16 Technology Supervisor, Principals, Superintendent, and Technology Office, Business Office, Assistant Superintendent

Training sessions Staff participation in PARCC

Research technology/room configurations to balance PARCC and other instructional uses

2013-16 Technology Supervisor, Principals, Superintendent, and Technology Office, Business Office, Assistant Superintendent

Analyses of configuration possibilities





Goal 4: Promote community engagement through effective use of technologies

Objectives: 1 Research and implement opportunities to strengthen the ties between school and community using Internet services


Offer parent-teacher conferences via Skype, go to meeting, or other communication services, etc.

2013-16 Technology Supervisor, Google Apps teachers, Principals, Superintendent, and Technology Office, Business Office

Real time online conferencing

Facilitate virtual Back to School Nights

2013-16 Google Apps teachers, Principals, Superintendent, and Technology Office

Virtual Back to School Nights

Expand usage of internal websites

2013-16 Google Apps teachers, Principals, Superintendent, and Technology Office

Increased internal websites



PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

District/Nonpublic School/ Charter School

Three-Year Educational Technology Plan Checklist

a) Professional development activities are cultivated and coordinated through the Center

For Education led by the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Ms.

Ann M. Britt. Collaboration from building principals and district supervisors is essential in

the construction and delivery of these activities. District Supervisor, Mr. Walter Spiehs,

additionally works with principals and the webmaster/trainer from each school to identify

teacher needs for implementing technology into lessons or specific software instruction.

These technology needs are generally developed during the summer and/or early fall after

surveying teacher needs and blending in district objectives. We have introduced Google Apps Cluster

Coordinators at each building, and one for the overall district, this year to ensure a smooth and effective

transition from Outlook and Frontpage to Google Apps. These teacher leaders receive a stipend and

provide critical on-site support for staff members as they learn and use Google Apps. Teachers and

teacher leaders at all buildings are encouraged to present to colleagues worthy and effective techniques

and/or lessons where best practices and technology infusion are incorporated.

Educators are offered technology workshops either after school or during professional development

time. We hope to continue implementation of our Spring and Summer Professional Development

Institutes which provide on-site opportunities for teachers to provide meaningful workshops to

interested colleagues. In addition, we utilize professional development time incorporated into our

district calendar to support implementation of technology into our schools and classrooms. Proposed

workshops for this year include, but are not limited to: Google Sites, Study Island, Khan Academy,

integrating SMART technologies and much more.

Ongoing professional development in PowerSchool, our district Student Information System, and

Inform, our data warehouse, will be provided to administrators. Administrators will continue to receive

assistance and hands-on practice with the OASYS teacher evaluation tool introduced in our district this

year. As more is learned about PARCC and NJSMART changes, administrators will receive technical

overview and assistance in these areas also. Administrators receive ongoing support with how to use

their tablets, cell phones, and walkie talkies effectively.

b) Technical staff has the opportunity to attend workshops outside of the District. They

also have access to online webinars and related resources. Technology Manager also

conducts trainings for technicians as needed. This training is completed in small group,

one-on-one, or via VNC connection.

c) The effective integration of technology into curriculum-oriented efforts requires support

and assistance. Burlington Township Public Schools believes that assistive technology

should be incorporated into the instructional setting in such a way that education is



facilitated without calling undue attention to the technology being used, or to its user.

Training in the selection, use and support of assistive technology is an ongoing process

which involves a variety of personnel at awareness, skill development and utilization

levels. Technology is changing so rapidly, and the skills needed to support many of the

available devices are relatively specialized

Procedures are as follows: Due to the specificity of the requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:

14-2.5 and 3.4, no additional written procedures are required.

1. Prepare general and special education personnel with the content knowledge and collaborative skills

needed to meet the needs of children with disabilities;

2. Enhance the ability of teachers and others to use strategies, such as behavioral interventions, to

address the conduct of students with disabilities that impedes the learning of students with disabilities

and others;

3. Acquire and disseminate to teachers, administrators, school board members, and related services

personnel, significant knowledge derived from educational research and other sources and how the

district will, if appropriate, adopt promising practices, materials and technology;

4. Ensure that the in-service training is integrated to the maximum extent possible with other

professional development activities; and

5. Provide for joint training activities of parents and special education, related services and general

education personnel.

Professional Development Table Professional development detail is needed for the first school year of the educational technology plan.

Educators’ Proficiency/

Identified Need

Ongoing, sustained, high-

quality professional

development planned

Support

Provide teachers with

training in teaching and

integrating technology

into their curriculum;

including Google Apps

and Project-based

learning activities (All

grades)

Offer a variety of technology

support options including but

not limited to hands-on

workshops, webinars, internal

google sites, drop-in office

hours, and scheduled on-site

support in open labs to

encourage teachers to increase

their integration of

technologies into their

Continue to offer Google

Apps Cluster

Coordinators as funds

permit to assist with

onsite support. Consider

expansion of this teacher

leader model for other

areas of technologies as

needed.




Identified Need



development planned

Support

instruction at their own pace

and level of confidence.

Increase access and

usage of online content

Provide teachers with training

and/or support when acquiring

online textbooks or text-

connected resources to support

online blended courses.

Charge teacher leaders with

identifying, sharing, and

supporting their department’s

efforts to incorporate online

resources in their content

areas. Offer support to

teachers through varied

platforms.

Continue to offer Google

Apps Cluster

Coordinators as funds

permit to assist with

onsite support as funds

permit. Consider

expansion of this teacher

leader model for other

areas of technologies as

needed. Promote

teacher leader discourse

and exchange of ideas

through regular content

articulation meetings.

Research online

resources such as

YouTube, Go Live

Campus, and other tools

for student/teacher use

and appropriate filtering

level

Once resources are cleared for

use in the district, ensure that

training and/or tutorials are

available to promote usage.

Discuss online resources

at scheduled Technology

Plan team meetings to

explore new

opportunities and their

viability in our district.

Provide support and/or

training for new

hardware such as LCD

projectors, ELMOs,

interactive whiteboards

Once hardware is cleared for


training, support, and/or

tutorials are available to

promote effective usage.

Encourage teacher

leaders in all content

areas to serve as

resources for teachers as

they utilize new

hardware in their

instruction.

Continue to provide

support and/or training

for non-Google specific

applications such as

CAD, Microsoft Office,

Once software is cleared for


training, support, and/or

tutorials are available to

promote effective usage.

Encourage teacher

leaders in appropriate

content areas to serve as

resources for teachers as

they utilize approved




Identified Need



development planned

Support

Adobe Creative Suite

and Finale

software applications in

their instruction.

Provide training to

ensure effective

implementation of

PARCC technologies

Incorporate PARCC technology

implementation procedures

into mandatory testing

protocol sessions at

appropriate buildings prior to

PARCC administration.

District and building

coordinators, and other

appropriate

administrators will

attend trainings and

review materials in

preparation for PARCC

implementation.

Provide support and/or

training for video

calling/ video

conferencing

applications such as

Skype, gotomeeting, or

other communication

services etc. to promote

real time online parent

teacher conferences

Once applications are cleared

for conferencing usage in the

district, ensure that training,

support, and/or tutorials are

available to promote effective

usage.

Administrators and

Technology Department

will provide support and

guidelines for such

implementation.

Provide support and/or training to teachers for making and embedding videos and/or presentations in teacher Google Sites to promote virtual Back to School Nights.

Once virtual Back to School Night presentations are approved in the district, ensure that training, support, and/or tutorials are available to promote effective usage.

Administrators and Technology Department will provide support and guidelines for such implementation.

Provide support and/or training for use of internal Google Sites for departments, buildings, and initiatives

Encourage and model use of internal Google Sites for in-district procedures, processes and initiatives. Provide Google Apps Cluster Coordinators to supporting increasing the use of Google Sites in this way.

Administrators and teacher leaders will continue to explore the usage of internal sites to promote efficient and effective in-district communications.



EVALUATION PLAN The three year implementation table outlines the evaluation process for each action that is being taken

for the goals and objectives that have been identified. The committee has determined that they should

meet three times during each school year. The first meeting in the fall will be an update on technology

upgrades during the past summer and review the outlined tasks for the upcoming year. A mid-year

meeting held during the winter will allow the technology committee the opportunity to evaluate what

has occurred to date and formulate a plan for the remainder of the year. A spring review will allow the

committee a chance to see the progress made during the school year and begin to plan for summer

updates/upgrades. Three meetings have been determined to be sufficient.

FUNDING PLAN (July 2013- June 2014) To date funds from E-rate, No Child Left Behind funding, and Board of Education monies have been

combined to provide the technology budget with adequate funds to support the District Technology

needs.

Funding continues to be a challenge and the district is making the most of what it has. ROD and COP

grants provided significant funds for infrastructure and security equipment upgrades.

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