Greater Lowell Technical High School Technology Plan
 

The mission of the Greater Lowell Technical High School is to provide its students with a dynamic academic and technical education preparing them for the world of work and higher education.  The school uses technology as an instructional and administrative tool to facilitate education by creating an adaptable learning process and environment which incorporates technologies to assist students in enhancing their access to learning opportunities while strengthening their understanding and retention of new information about both the process and the content of education. 

In order to achieve this the school will:

I. Create an Intranet for Teachers    

      A.  Where they can easily retrieve any forms, procedures, or information to help them with their daily activities.  
      B.  To place instructional materials of all types for their student’s use.
      C.  Create web pages and migrate these pages to the school internet.
      D.  Provide the training and resources for the faculty to create and maintain their school based web sites.

II. Increase the connectivity speed and availability of LAN and Internet resources

     A.  Provide distance learning opportunities for faculty professional development at any time.
      B.  Allow parents and students to view records and access classroom assignments, homework, information and  instructional material.        
      C.  Migrate video collection to digital storage for use that is fast and adaptable.
      D.  Expand the use of adaptive technologies from classroom access to network access.

III. Provide an interactive help desk solution to

      A.  Minimize down time of instructional systems.
      B.  Provide greater assistance with applications.

 
IV. Overhaul data collection and access processes

      A.  Implement a new grading/attendance and scheduling program accessible to teachers from the Intranet and Internet.  
      B.  Integrate student information and databases to assist teachers in assessing, creating, anticipating, and actively responding to change in student needs.

Goals for 2004-2005 School Year

1. Enhance Internet connectivity by replacing proxy server and internet filtering server. Evaluation of system complete
2. Evaluate telephone carrier and ISP. Completed
3. Upgrade grading and scheduling software and evaluate data mining software for purchase. Completed
4. Evaluate and replace PII and below computers, and reallocate these systems to electronics program and/or as instructional word processors. 90% Complete
5. Provide training and resources to faculty for the creation of internal websites (Intranet) for eventual migration to the Internet. Completed/Continued
6. Install IP video security cameras linked to local police department. Completed/Continued
7. Continue acquisition of video projectors and smart boards. Completed/Continued
8. Upgrade and expand instructional software in academic and technical areas by assisting teachers with preview and purchase. Continued
9. Provide interactive web based help desk solution to expedite problem reporting and resolution. Completed/Expand in 2005 - 2006
10. Upgrade e-mail server and software, and implement robust spam solution.
11. Create a computerized inventory solution that allows tracking of hardware assets automatically. Completed
12. Implement school-wide secure wireless LAN. Continued
13. Deploy network management software for LAN control. Completed
14. Develop training program for acceptable use. Moved to 2005-2006
15. Administer the TSAT to accurately assess the instructional staff's abilities. Moved to 2005-2006

Goals for 2005-2006 School Year

1. Upgrade networking operating software to Windows 2003
2. Enhance Internet connectivity by replacing proxy server and Internet filtering server.
3. Implement new X2 grading and scheduling software and "My Classes" student profile system.
4. Finish replacing PII computers.
5. Expand training and resources to faculty for the creation of internal websites (Intranet) for eventual migration to the Internet.
   NOTE: The school's Office of Professional Development handles all workshops, courses, etc. at Greater Lowell,
   the Technology Director as a member.
6. Continue acquisition of video projectors and smart boards.
7. Digitize Individual Student Success Plan for electronic access by faculty/Administration.
8. Upgrade Special Education Software and integrate with new student management system.
9. Provide secure, web based access via the Internet to student information systems for faculty.
10. Expand telephone calling program to include attendance and surveys.
11. Consolidate and centralize school wide printing and create electronic archives for material
        - create a digital archive of important documents, e.g., student transcripts, for off-site storage.
12. Consolidate server resources.
13. Expand IP video security cameras linked to local police department
        - create "Situation Rooms" for school emergencies.
14. Adapt the TSAT for a vocational technical school and administer.

Goals for 2006-2007 School Year

1. Remove, clean up and certify cabling and create documentation. Use Category 6 cable for replacement cable where needed.

2. Phase out old printing technologies and replace with new-generation multi-function laser printers/copiers (MFPs).

3. Web based access for:
       A.    Students and parents to student information, e.g., homework assignments, progress reports, grades, etc. 
       B.    Student portfolios for career development and cooperative education.
       C.    Student access to instructional material, e.g., textbooks, workbooks, teacher materials, etc. 

4. Cooperative project with Administrative Leadership team to expand school Intranet and Internet sites to:
       A.    Include instructional activities,
       B.    Research, evaluate and purchase digital media, e.g.,  textbooks, training programs, etc.,
       C.   Convert print items to digital formats.

5. Establish Copyright/Instructional Material Committee to oversee the establishment of remotely accessible instructional and library material.

6. Re-evaluate and Adapt a Disaster Recovery or Continuation Plan.

EVALUATION

There are three components to the Technology Plan Evaluation

1. The Information Systems/Media Services (IS/MS) Department conducts “focus” meetings of 6-10 faculty from each of the six clusters and four departments. The faculty are guided through a predefined set of issues and encouraged to discuss and present alternative points of view. This method has proven useful in obtaining information about the success and usefulness of the technology plan. Usually, the Cluster Chairperson or Department Director conducts the process and a member of the IS/MS department is there primarily to record the information and to clarify questions.
    

2. At the end of each year the IS/MS Department creates a report based on all requests and help desk tickets to determine areas of need and issues of concern.
    

3. During the school year the Director of IS/MS is a member of the weekly scheduled Superintendent’s Administrative Meeting where progress on the Technology Plan are reported and presented for discussion. It is at these meetings, as well as weekly Leadership Meetings, that the plan is adjusted to be sure the needs of all students and staff are being met based upon given budget and staffing constraints.