TECHNOLOGY ACTION PLAN

Mission Statement

“The mission of Lorena Independent School District, the heart of our hometown where excellence has become tradition, is to ensure that students achieve their highest potential as responsible, self-reliant, and unique individuals through a system characterized by engaged and motivated students; passionate, dedicated staff; challenging and innovative learning opportunities; state-of-the-art facilities; involved parents and community members; and a safe environment that fosters mutual respect and cooperation. “ (www.lorenaisd.net, 2009)

**After reviewing the AEIS report, STaR Chart results, and the AYP report, as well as interviewing the principal, technology coordinator, and students, I have come to a conclusion that these are the goals, needs, and professional development areas that are of most concern.

Goals
1. Lorena Elementary needs to improve in the area of Teaching and Learning that is associated with the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology 2006-2020.
2. Lorena Elementary needs to improve in the area of Math overall.
3. Lorena Elementary needs to increase the scores of the low socioeconomic students overall but with an emphasis in math.

Needs
• Teaching and Learning should move in the direction of students’ discovery in technology instead of direct instruction and modeling by teachers. The student-centered approach will develop much higher level thinkers and problem solvers.
• Teachers need to not just know of the Technology TEKS, but become knowledgeable of the TEKS and implement them in the classroom each day.
• Provide instructional coaches and mentors to support classroom efforts in using technology to improve learning in core curriculum areas.
• Effectively communicate and provide professional development opportunities.
• Utilize the state adopted TA instructional materials at all grade levels.
• Incorporate ongoing technology planning in campus improvement plans. Communicate this information to teaching staff.
• Establish and promote the regular use of Distance Learning capabilities.
• Strive to achieve 1:1 student/computer ratio and increase technology available to students.

Professional Development
• Provide on-going training after school on basic computer functions and programs. Teachers need to have the basic skills in order to provide opportunities for students to use technology appropriately.
• Small group instruction on integrating technology in curriculum and instruction. This needs to be small group in order to focus on the data that is available for that grade level. This professional development needs to focus on what the data is showing the greatest need
• Provide professional development on increasing the low socio-economic scores in Math through technology.
• Provide information on copyright laws and cyber ethics for teachers and students.
• Provide ways for students to use the technology that is available such as the computer labs, projectors, and classroom computers.
• Provide training on ADM and how to use this program to dissegregate data. Data is a great benefit if it is used properly.

Evaluation
In order to evaluate the progress of needs and professional development we must look at all of the data and principals and instructional leaders must take an active role in pursuing technology in the classrooms. With these specific evaluations, Lorena Elementary should be closer to reaching our mission of students being at their highest potential.
• Evaluate the AEIS report, STaR Chart results, and AYP report. This data will give an insight of how professional development has had an impact on teaching and learning.
• Campus principal look for technology and how the students are engaged during formal observation and walk-throughs.
• Technology coordinator needs to walk through classrooms to see how technology is being used by the students.
• Evaluate the benchmark data on a regular basis for improvement.
• Ask for teachers, staff, and students to take a technology survey each nine weeks to evaluate how they feel about the professional development and how it has been effective in their classrooms.