By Sue Saur EDLD 5362 Information Systems Final Project
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Comal ISD is one of two school districts located in the
beautiful, scenic town of New Braunfels Texas. Photograph by Sue
Saur
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We are known for our rivers, our antiques, and of course
Schlitterbahn. Photographs by Sue Saur
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New Braunfels and Comal County have experienced rapid growth
over the past few decades. 1981 1 High School 2 Middle Schools 5
Elementary Schools 2010- 4 High Schools 5 Middle Schools 14
Elementary Schools We presently serve over 17,400 students.
Projections estimate that number to rise to 24,000 by 2017. ClipArt
courtesy of Microsoft Office
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The Mission of Comal Independent School District is to provide
extensive learning opportunities for all students to ensure they
become contributing members of our society. Comal ISD strives for
educational excellence in all academic areas. One of the districts
goals is to equip, train, and utilize 21 st century technology in
all classrooms to prepare students for the challenges of the
future. ClipArt courtesy of Microsoft Office
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Photograph by Sue Saur
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Strengthen Leadership Consider Innovative Budgeting Improve
Teacher Training Support E-Learning and Virtual Schools Encourage
Broadband Access Move toward Digital Content Integrate Data Systems
ClipArt courtesy of Microsoft Office
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Invest in leadership development programs to develop a new
generation of tech-savvy leaders at every level. Retool
Administration Education program to provide training in technology
decision making and organizational change. Develop partnerships
between school, higher education and the community. Encourage
creative technology partnerships with the business community.
Empower students participation in the planning process. ClipArt
courtesy of Microsoft Office
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Determine the total costs for technology as a percentage of
total spending. Consider a systemic restructuring of budgets to
realize efficiencies, cost savings, and reallocation. This includes
expenditures on textbooks, instructional supplies, space and
computer labs. Consider leasing with 3-5 year refresh cycles.
Create a technology innovation fund to carry funds over yearly
budget cycles. ClipArt courtesy of Microsoft Office
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Improve the preparation of new teachers in the use of
technology. Ensure that every teacher has the opportunity to take
online learning courses. Improve the quality and consistency of
teacher education through measurement, accountability and increased
technology resources. Ensure that every teacher knows how to use
data to personalize instruction. ClipArt courtesy of Microsoft
Office
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Provide every student access to e-learning. Enable every
teacher to participate in e-learning training. Encourage the use of
e-learning options to meet No Child Left Behind requirements for
highly qualified teachers, supplemental services and parental
choice. Explore creative ways to fund e-learning opportunities.
Develop quality measures and accreditation standards for e-learning
that mirror those required for course credit. ClipArt courtesy of
Microsoft Office
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Thoroughly evaluate existing technology infrastructure and
access to broadband to determine current capacities and explore
ways to ensure its reliability. Encourage that broadband is
available all the way to the end-user for data management, online
and technology-based assessments, e-learning, and accessing
high-quality digital content. Encourage the availability of
adequate technical support to manage and maintain computer
networks, maximize educational uptime and plan for future needs.
ClipArt courtesy of Microsoft Office
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Ensure that teachers and students are adequately trained in the
use of online content. Encourage ubiquitous access to computers and
connectivity for each student. Consider the costs and benefits of
online content, aligned with rigorous state academic standards, as
part of a systemic approach to creating resources for students to
customize learning to their individual needs. ClipArt courtesy of
Microsoft Office
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Establish a plan to integrate data systems so that
administrator and educators have the information they need to
increase efficiency and improve student learning. Use data from
both administrative and instructional systems to understand
relationships between decisions, allocation of resources and
student achievement. Ensure interoperability. For example, consider
School Interoperability Framework(SIF) Compliance Certificate as a
requirement in all RFPs and purchasing decisions. Use assessment
results to inform and differentiate instruction for every child.
ClipArt courtesy of Microsoft Office
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Part of the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020.
Emphasizes Four Main Areas of Focus: ClipArt courtesy of Microsoft
Office
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Teaching and Learning Educator Preparation and Development
Leadership, Administrative and Instructional Support Infrastructure
for Technology ClipArt courtesy of Microsoft Office
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Long Term Funding Priorities should emphasize: Student to
Computer Ratioultimate goal 1:1 Technical Support 350:1
Instructional Support and Professional Development should equal 30%
of Technology Budget ClipArt courtesy of Microsoft Office
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Photographs by Sue Saur
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Goal 1: Utilize technology as a tool to foster improvement in
academic achievement, curriculum integration, and increased
accessibility and innovation. 1. The district will strive to have
100% of students achieve technology proficiency and academic
success. 2. 100% of schools will integrate technology skills in all
subject areas/curricula. 3. Increase accessibility and innovation
of technological products and resources. ClipArt courtesy of
Microsoft Office
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Integrated subject lesson plans posted on the Eduphoria web
page, including technology integration. Availability of software
such as Study Island to analyze student skills and manage
instructional planning. Web-based scope and sequence for K-8
technology expectations correlated to TEKS is being developed.
Benchmark assessments for those grades are being developed.
Video-on-Demand service is available to all campuses.
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Technology Integration is part of every Campus Improvement
Plan. Staff Development is being provided at a campus level to
train staff on ways to integrate technology into the curriculum.
Maintenance of flexible, extended library hours with computer
access to accommodate students and community needs for research and
adult literacy. Hardware purchases: COWs(computers on wheels )
three stations of 25 per elementary campus, four stations of 30 at
each middle school, and five stations of 30 at each high school;
document cameras in every classroom; 3 Classroom Performance
Systems per campus; 150 iPods for ESL middle school classrooms; 1
Alpha Smart cart per pair of second grade teachers; 20 science
probes per campus; 26 Videoconferencing systems across the
district; ClipArt courtesy of Microsoft Office
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Photograph by Sue Saur
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Goal 2: Promote growth in educators effectiveness integrating
technology into the curricula, achieving proficiency in SBEC
Technology Standards, and transforming teaching practices by
promoting student- centered learning. 1. 100% of instructional
staff is expected to implement and teach the Technology Application
TEKS in conjunction with the integrated technology requirements in
the core curriculum TEKS. 2. 100% of instructional staff will meet
SBEC standards for technology literacy. 3. 100% of staff will be
encouraged to transform educational practices to include
collaborative environments and other specialized curricula. ClipArt
courtesy of Microsoft Office
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Offerings of trainings online and at campus level on the use of
new technologies such as PDAs, CPS systems, etc. Establishment of
staff study groups to promote communities of learning. Just in time
learning for teachers and librarians using district specialists.
Staff evaluation by administration for SBEC standards. Incentive
programs to encourage teachers to reach SBEC standards. Distance
Learning Opportunities through Region 13 offerings. ClipArt
courtesy of Microsoft Office
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Photograph by Sue Saur
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Goal 3: Improve quality of communication to facilitate
data-driven decision making processes in the areas of student
records (achievement, attendance, special education, and
discipline), community partnerships/parent awareness and
involvement, and other support services. 1. 100% of schools will
utilize technology as a tool to access and maintain student
records. 2. 100% of Instructional staff will be encouraged to
utilize electronically delivered information to communicate with
parents and community members, as appropriate. 3. 100% of support
staff will streamline information-reporting and decision-making
processes by utilizing electronic/digital productivity tools.
ClipArt courtesy of Microsoft Office
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Staff use of Email, HotNews, Comal Communicator, News
Alerts,(district communication formats) GradeSpeed usage Digital
resource postings such as manuals, handbooks, directories,
catalogs. 100% staff access to digital file formats. Online
curriculum database ADM data for decision making processes. Online
gradebooks in use by all staff Campus Websites maintained and
updated regularly. ClipArt courtesy of Microsoft Office
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Photograph by Sue Saur
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Goal 4: Increase or maintain capability and stability of the
LAN/WAN, Internet connectivity, user/computer ratio, and emerging
technologies as appropriate. 1. The LAN/WAN system will be
optimized to meet the needs of all facets of the school district
enterprise. 2. 100% connectivity will be maintained from every
location in the district. 3. CISD will continue to work toward
optimal user/computer ratio in the district. 4. CISD will continue
to discover and include new and emerging technologies where
appropriate, to maximize user potential.
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Shared use of hardware and digital equipment Student/computer
ratio of 3:1 with 1:1 in computer labs as appropriate. CISD will
gradually upgrade to full IP telephony service as well as add phone
service to new schools and Central Admin. Ensure direct user access
to internet to every user in the district. Establish and maintain
wireless access points at each location. CISD will provide backbone
redundancy by establishing a loop topography MAN with layer 3
switches. Explore grant and funding sources to enhance
infrastructure. CISD will maintain gigaman fiber connectivity and
upgrade existing T1 and DS3 circuits to gigabit fiber providing a
robust MAN between sites and Ethernet LAN at each site. ClipArt
courtesy of Microsoft Office
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Comals Technology plan targets focus areas of Star Chart of
teacher training, developing leadership, improving infrastructure,
and instructional support. Some areas of the National Educational
Technology Plan are not included, such as innovative budgeting,
e-learning and virtual schools, and moving toward digital content.
Comal offers many opportunities for online and distance learning
for staff. But implementing some creative opportunities for
students is still in the planning stages. But the potential is
exciting. Comal does not seem have a plan for moving toward digital
content in lieu of textbooks. As opportunities for e-learning are
expanded, this area will most likely receive more attention.
Overall, the Comal Technology Plan is very thorough. ClipArt
courtesy of Microsoft Office
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By Sue Saur
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Comal ISD. (2006). Comal ISD Technology Plan. New Braunfels:
Comal ISD Technology Planning Committee. United States Department
of Education. (2004). 2004 National Educational Technology Plan-A
New Golden Age in American Education. Washington DC: U. S.
Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology. Texas
Education Agency. (2006). Texas Star Chart: School Technology and
Readiness aligned with the Long-Range Plan for Technology,
2006-2020. Austin: Texas Education Agency, Instructional Materials
and Educational Technology Division. ClipArt courtesy of Microsoft
Office
