1. DISTRICT SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT VISION/MISSION STATEMENT

The desire and goal of the Chassell Township School staff and administration, united with the community, is to provide opportunity and motivation for every student to develop foundational principles for academic, social, moral and physical success. We will strive to provide a positive, safe, caring and orderly environment where students can gain knowledge and skills necessary to become responsible, contributing, and independent members of society.

Motto: "Learning For Life"

2. DISTRICT TECHNOLOGY VISION/MISSION STATEMENT

Recognizing the increasing impact of computers and technology on schools, the workplace, and the community, it is the goal of the Chassell Township School staff and administration to continually innovate and improve the use of technology to provide our students with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively use technology and to improve the learning environment for all students.

3. DISTRICT TECHNOLOGY TEAM MEMBERS

James Frantti, Superintendent ~Douglas Hamar, Board Member

Linda Pepper, Principal ~David Kalliainen, Committee Member

Erma McMurphy, Elementary Teacher ~Christine Lystila, Librarian

Louis Braun, Business/Computer Teacher ~Mark Ware, English Teacher

Joan Petrelius, Music/Multimedia Teacher ~Bogue Sandberg, Parent

Eric Feldhusen, System Administrator

4. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Goal #1: Improvement of Reading Scores
Objective #1a: Over the next three to five years, students' basic skills performance in reading will improve so that 80% or more of students at the 4th, 7th and 11th grades will achieve a satisfactory score on the MEAP test at the 4th and 7th grade levels and on the HSPT at the 11th grade level.

Goal #2: Improve Writing Scores
Objective #2a: Over the next three to five years, students' basic skills performance in writing will improve so that 60% percent or more of students at the 5th, 8th and 11th grade will achieve a satisfactory score on the HSPT at the 11th grade level.

Goal #3: Improve School Climate
Objective #3a: Reduce the number of discipline referrals over the next three to five years.
Objective #3b: Demonstrate improved assessment in school climate from students, staff and parents over the next three to five years.
Objective #3c: Improve student attendance to 90% or better over the next three to five years.

Goal #4: Improve Academic Achievement
Objective #4a: Students will maintain an average collective G.P.A. in grades 7-12 of 2.00 or better and a 2.50 or better in grades 1-6 based on a 4.00 scale.

Goal #5: Systematically Review Core Curriculums
Objective #5a: Review and revise the following curriculum plans within the next six year period.
A. Year One-Technology
B. Year Two-Mathematics
C. Year Three-Science
D. Year Four-Social Studies
E. Year Five-Health
F. Year Six-Communication Arts

5. TECHNOLOGY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Goal #1: To continue to evaluate and plan for the use of technology in support of the teaching and learning process.
Objective #1a: To support the efforts of the district technology committee as the committee continues to expand, revise, and update the district technology plan.
*1/2 or full day inservice
*onsight visits to other districts

Goal #2: To review and update the K-12 computer curriculum
Objective #2a: To have students demonstrate the use of grade level appropriate technologies as identified in the district's K-12 curriculum.
Objective #2b: To identify ways in which technology can be integrated into the K-12 core subject areas.
Objective #2c: To identify strategies to integrate technology into K-12 lesson plans.

Goal #3: To develop skills among students and staff in utilizing technology to communicate, to obtain information, and to serve as an effective productivity tool.
Objective #3a: To provide the necessary hardware and software.
Objective #3b: To provide ongoing technical support and professional development.

Goal #4: To integrate the technology curriculum into the core curriculum areas.
Objective #4a: To provide ongoing professional development for the implementation of technology in core curriculum areas.

6. DESCRIPTION OF TECHNOLOGIES TO BE ACQUIRED

To implement the district technology plan and meet its goals and objectives, the following technologies will be acquired:

• A set of personal digital assistants will be purchased for the pilot group of students and teachers.

• Computers will be purchased to establish small computer centers in all classrooms.

• The distance learning system will be updated by purchasing equipment based on the H.323 digital video over IP standard.

• The building network will be upgraded with new switches and updated network operating system software to ensure reliable connections to the local area network and to the internet. New cabling will be installed to connect all classroom computers directly to the local area network.

• Acquire additional curriculum software.

• Update teacher laptops and wireless lab laptops.

• Projectors will be purchased and installed for each classroom

• Operating system software upgrades for all PC computers will be purchased

7. EXPLANATION OF HOW ACQUIRED TECHNOLOGIES WILL BE INTEGRATED

The acquisition of computer stations in the classroom and the establishment of a computer lab adjacent to the library will provide staff and students with greater access to computers. This will enhance their competence and develop skills in the use of technology and communication.

The expansion of the building network, through which Internet access is provided, combined with the acquisition of hardware will provide greater access to information. With the acquisition of additional laptop computers and wireless hubs, it will enable teachers and administrators to collaborate and improve communication within the district and with colleagues in other districts/areas.

Computers, multimedia technologies, and a circulating laptop lending library will enable teachers to more effectively use the technologies as teaching and learning tools. this will allow varied learning styles to be addressed and will enhance the tailoring of curriculum and instruction to the needs of the individual learners. In particular, with the purchase of appropriate software, the technologies will be utilized to address the reading and writing objectives at all grade levels.

Standards have been set with regards to technologies acquired and support. The purchase of new Macintosh computers will lead to the standardization of Mac OS X operating system. All PC's will be purchased from Compac and will run Windows 2000. All printers will be purchased from HP. This will lower the total cost of ownership, simplify technology support, and allow greater integration of technology across all curriculum areas.

8. EXPLANATION OF PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT/COLLABORATION WITH ADULT LITERACY

The existing and new technologies will be utilized to provide enrichment programs, workshops and courses for adults. Through the interactive distance learning system and satellite dish system, similar programs will be offered as they become available.

9. DESCRIPTION OF SUSTAINED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The district school improvement and technology committees meet regularly. Both committees, as a part of their overall effort, identify needs for professional development for staff members. Professional development is seen as a key component of the district's technology plans. Staff will receive periodic training in expanding their understanding and use of technology in their curriculum area. Staff members are able to attend, state, regional and local technology conferences, and are required to attend periodic in-use training sessions where technology integration

10. SOURCES OF ONGOING TRAINING & TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

A part of the district plan for professional development will be attendance of staff members at local, regional, and state level technology conferences and workshops.

The district has resource people on staff who will be available to assist staff members and will provide technical support.

In-service days will be scheduled each year and will be used to provide ongoing training. Summer training will also be offered as an option. Staff personnel and outside vendors are used as trainers.

A school team has participated in the Ameritech Technology Academy. This team will continue providing classroom and one-on-one technology support to teachers.

Technical support and training is available through REMC 1 personnel.

Contracts exist with Optimal Solutions, Connecting Point, and School-Link Technologies for support of district administrative software.

The district has hired an additional person on a part time basis to provide network support and administration. The Michigan Technology Staffing guidelines suggest that the district should have at least 2 FTE of technology staffing.

The district is looking at establishing a student help desk to assist teachers with technical issues, and the use of technology in the high school and elementary classrooms.

A database will be set up and maintained to better track technical support. This database will tack information such as machine, time to repair, problems and solutions to allow the technology staff to access past experiences when working on current problems. It will also be used as an indicator of success.

A database has been set up to track technology inventory and support calls.

11. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPORTING RESOURCES

The district technology committee includes resource people, both staff and community members, with expertise in various areas of technology, including curriculum, software, hardware, and networking.

The Copper Country ISD and REMC 1 provide assistance and support for the distance learning system , the Internet/e-mail services, State bid purchasing, trouble-shooting, and training/staff development activities.

The district has contracted with Optimal solutions, Connecting Point and School-Link Technologies for support services to our district administrative software.

Each computer will have a variety of application software. This include Internet software (e.g. Netscape, Eudora, etc.) and application software such as AppleWorks, Microsoft Office, HyperStudio, and Inspiration. The software is periodically reviewed and updated.

Each classroom, as well as the library, will be provided with a multiple internet connections and software bundles appropriate to the setting. This includes teacher resource software, information resources on CD, and curriculum software. The software is periodically reviewed and updated.

The district will provide scanners, digital cameras, digital camcorders and projection units to allow use of the equipment for whole class activities involving the computer.

Michigan Technological University personnel have indicated a willingness to assist the school district in planning and developing educational technologies.

Charter Cable Company provides cable distribution to all district classrooms and supports a public access channel, such as PBS, the History Channel, etc.

The Michigan Department of Education and the US0 Office of Education provide various resources for school districts.

The Chassell Township Public School Foundation supports the school district in acquiring hardware, software and other resources.

Through participation in the Ameritech Technology Academy, a team of staff members will receive training and will in turn be available to provide technology support and training to teachers.

The district is looking to provide all students will a personal digital assistant for educational use. The district currently has two carts of 15 iBooks with wireless network access for classroom use, and a set of 16 iBooks for student checkout.

The district has provided updated laptops for all teachers. The district currently provides iBooks with wireless access for all teachers.

The district has purchased and installed H.323 digital video capabilities to replace the existing analog distance learning system.

The district will set up e-mail lists to allow school faculty and administration to communicate efficiently with student, parent and community groups.

The district will set up Chancery Software's K-12 Planet to allow parents to view their children's academic information.

12. TIMETABLE FOR IMPLEMENTATION

2002-2003 Purchase H.323 digital video system
Purchase eMacs for classroom computer centers
Purchase HP switches to upgrade network
Install additional network cabling
Purchase PDA's for pilot group
Research Library management software to provide greater interoperability with other information systems
Assess professional development plan and revise
Upgrade High School Lab computer operating system
continue technology integration across all curriculum areas

2003-2004 Replacement laptops for teachers
Acquire additional PDA's
Expand community courses and workshops
Implement video closed circuit broadcast
Upgrade iMac Lab
Computer curriculum review
Research Food Service Software to provide greater interoperability with other information systems
continue technology integration across all curriculum areas

2004-2005 Update curriculum software
Continue process of hardware upgrades
Continue review/assessment of technology plan and curriculum
Upgrade/replace teacher laptops

13. PROJECTED TOTAL COSTS OF TECHNOLOGIES AND RELATED EXPENSES

2000-2001 $165,000

2001-2002 $105,000

2002-2003 $105,000

2003-2004 $105,000

2004-2005 $110,000

5-year Total: $590,000

14. COORDINATION OF AVAILABLE STATE AND LOCAL GRANT RESOURCES

Potential financial resources to support the technology plan are as follows:

• Technology Line Item-The district's budget will include a line item for technology, which will be dedicated to implementing and supporting technology throughout the district.
• Foundation Funds-The Chassell Township Public School foundation has provided funds to the district each year that are ear marked for the academic program. The Foundation board has indicated its strong support for the use of these funds for technology.
• Universal Service Fund Discounts-These discounts will be used to reduce costs of expanding the districts voice, video, and data networking and for telecommunication services.
• Other Sources-Various other sources will be used as available. These include community businesses and service groups; grants for the State of Michigan, federal programs, and foundations; consortium grants coordinated through REMC 1 and the Copper Country ISD; and other resources that may be identified.
• The district will continue to apply for funding through the Technology Literacy Challenge Fund program and will seek to take advantage of such programs as the Ameritech Technology Academy to provide additional resources.
• The district participates in an area wide distance learning consortium and a vocational center consortium.

15. EVALUATION OF PROGRESS AND IMPACT

Ongoing evaluation will include the following components and reporting methods:

1. A regular review process coordinated by the district technology committee will assess the district’s K-12 computer curriculum against Michigan Curriculum Frameworks and National Educational Goals. The revised K-12 computer curriculum document will be published and distributed and will be included in the district’s long-range technology plan and in the school improvement plan and annual report.

2. The district will continue to develop student assessments and will monitor student performance trends using these tools, together with student performance on the State MEAP tests. Resources such as the "National Education Technology Standards for Students" (2000) will be used in evaluating curriculum and in developing the local assessment tools, as well as classroom strategies. MEAP performance summaries and summary reports of student performance on locally developed assessments will be used to evaluate and report impact on student achievement.

3. The integration of technology into the teaching and learning process will be a component of the district’s teacher evaluation process. Professional development records will be maintained for each teacher. Information from teacher evaluations and the professional development records will be used in planning professional development activities during the year.

4. Staff surveys will continue to be used to determine training and support needs, obtain qualitative assessments of teacher technology fluency, as well as types of student uses of computers/technology.

5. Additional assessment strategies will be developed in cooperation with the Michigan Technological University Department of Education. These strategies will be incorporated into the district technology plan as they are developed.