HelmsRankineScott_TechPlanUpdate

7/31/2019 HelmsRankineScott_TechPlanUpdate

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Georgia Southern UniversityMEd - FRIT 8132: Administration of Technology Resources

Spring 2012 Instructor: Dr. C. HodgesTopic: Technology Plan Evaluation Update Date: 04/17/2012

Group: Mitzi Helms, Fabrian Rankine, Jesse ScottPart 1: Narrative

Introduction and OverviewGwinnett County Public Schools and its 133 schools and other educational facilities serve

nearly 162,000 students, comprising of 53.3% Caucasian, 23.6% African-American, 20.1% Hispanic,

and 3% other races. Gwinnetts modern, well-equipped, and well-maintained schools provide an

environment where teaching and learning thrive. Attendance zones are determined by geographical

clusters. Within each cluster, there are three to six elementary schools, one or two middle schools,

and one high school. Gwinnett County Public Schools published a three-year technology plan in

2009. In 2012, this plan is currently in active use, and replaces a previous plan that was published

in 2006. Starting with a mission statement and vision that closely parallels the mission and vision

for the Gwinnett County Public School system, the technology plan seeks to pursue excellence in

academic knowledge, skills, and behavior for each student, and continues with a detailed plan that

outlines how the county plans to utilize technology to achieve that vision. This plan is strong in

meeting the highest requirements in several components of the technology plan evaluation rubric,

but there are a few areas that can still be improved upon.

Plan for ChangeThe following area scored 2 (adequate) on the Helms-Rankine-Scott Scale, and requires

moderate modification:Assessment of Services and Technical Support. In this area, the GCPS

Technology Plan scored a two out of a possible three points on the rubric. In the area of technical


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support, providing a clear and comprehensive plan for services available is needed to support

technology use (network, computer, and software support), which is necessary for a strong

technology plan. The Gwinnett County Technology Plan lacks the comprehensive part of the plan.

The change that needs to be made in the Technology Plan is to state the requirements for services

that are readily available and detailed plans for technology support. The resources required for this

would be a detailed equipment analysis and/or staff surveys providing this information.In addition to above, the following modifications could be made to improve the technology

plan: Identify Contributors and Stakeholders. Gwinnett Countys technology plan does identify the

contributors and the stakeholders in the plan, just not in a well-organized manner. Because of this,

Gwinnett County only scored a two on the Helms-Rankine-Scott scale. There is not a separate

section for this with detailed descriptions of each group. The reader must search the entire

Technology Plan in order to find this information. To improve the plan, contributors and

stakeholders should be identified, and their jobs and contributions to the development of the

technology plan should also be stated. This change would help county employees know who made

the recommendations and what decisions were made. The resources used for this component

would be to review other school systems technology plans for comparable examples of stakeholder

groups.The Gwinnett County Technology Department does not have a detailed mission statement,

but rather repeats the mission statement of the school system. To improve the technology plan, the

technology department needs to develop a specific mission statement which would include why

and how the technology mission is to be accomplished. This would be beneficial because this plan

directs Gwinnett Countys overall goals for its technology use.Another omission from the GCPS Technology Plan is that it does not provide any standards

by which to judge the technology goals. For each goal within the plan, the appropriate standards

should be noted, or at very least, the plan needs to include a section with the National Technology


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Standards listed for students and educators. Additionally, in comparing Gwinnett Countys

Technology Plan to Dr. Paul Allens Rubric from the University of Texas, the Executive Summary

was absent. In order to gain a better understanding of the countys technology situation, the reader

must read the section Instructional Technology Use. This section describes the technology each

school has within the system. In order to improve this score, a section entitled Executive Summary

would need to be added that would clearly outline the vision, mission, goals, objectives,

backgrounds, findings, issues, conclusions, and recommendations of the technology plan for

Gwinnett County.

Resulting ImprovementsIf Gwinnett County decided to update their technology plan using these recommendations,

the Technology Plan would be more comprehensive and complete. A detailed executive summary,

which would include the vision, mission, goals and objectives, background issues, conclusions and

recommendations, would provide a comprehensive view of the countys technology program.

Broad-Based Support through identified stakeholders/contributors would ensure the technology

plan would be all-inclusive and meet the various needs of the school system and the supporting

community. The revision of the mission statement would enable the public to identify the goals and

objectives of the technology department. The general issues component needs to be expanded to

include the National Technology Standards for students and educators.

To further improve the technology plan, conclusions and recommendations need to be

made. Identifying problems and or challenges that the school system faces in the area of technology

at both local and system level should be part of the technology plan. Recommendations to improve

these problems/challenges should also be acknowledged. The technology support component was

inadequate and should be stated in detail. An explanation of the technology support should describe


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how services are provided and prioritized, what equipment/software is maintained, and the

timeframe for completion.

Part 2: Technology Plan UpdateExecutive Summary /Mission Statement Summary:

This document is an addendum to the pre-existing technology plan forthe Gwinnett County Public School system, which is in effect from Fall2009 to the end of Spring 2012. The existing plan should also be viewedat the following link, and this section should be viewed assupplementary to that plan.:http://www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gcps-imdweb01.nsf/489bc5772033f3eb85256d670066dfb8/b3e65007f46373e2852574b900679580/$FILE/GCPS%202009%20Technology%20Plan%20FINAL.pdf

In keeping with the mission statement of the Gwinnett County PublicSchool system, the technology department seeks to foster excellence inhelping students and staff grow in knowledge and skills, particularlyrelated to the use of technology in the educational process. In keepingwith this mission, the following technology plan outlines how the GCPSsystem will effectively implement technology resources.The initial section below echoes the mission statement and vision of theGCPS system, and each following section outlines the procedures,process, and action points for achieving this mission of fosteringmeasured improvement against local, national, and world-classstandards.Sections following the mission statement cover details pertaining tohow funding will be handled, how resources will be distributed, howstaff will be developed, and how policies will affect student and staff useof technology within the system.Sections are also devoted to providing an overview of how technology

will be maintained with the system. Also, a plan of action is providedthat details how technology use will be encouraged and expected acrossthe curriculum. Finally, several pilot projects are detailed, and thesepilot projects are supported by recent research.Directly below is a statment of the mission, vision, and goals of the GCPSTechnology Department.Mission Statement:
http://www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gcps-imdweb01.nsf/489bc5772033f3eb85256d670066dfb8/b3e65007f46373e2852574b900679580/$FILE/GCPS%202009%20Technology%20Plan%20FINAL.pdfhttp://www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gcps-imdweb01.nsf/489bc5772033f3eb85256d670066dfb8/b3e65007f46373e2852574b900679580/$FILE/GCPS%202009%20Technology%20Plan%20FINAL.pdfhttp://www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gcps-imdweb01.nsf/489bc5772033f3eb85256d670066dfb8/b3e65007f46373e2852574b900679580/$FILE/GCPS%202009%20Technology%20Plan%20FINAL.pdfhttp://www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gcps-imdweb01.nsf/489bc5772033f3eb85256d670066dfb8/b3e65007f46373e2852574b900679580/$FILE/GCPS%202009%20Technology%20Plan%20FINAL.pdfhttp://www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gcps-imdweb01.nsf/489bc5772033f3eb85256d670066dfb8/b3e65007f46373e2852574b900679580/$FILE/GCPS%202009%20Technology%20Plan%20FINAL.pdfhttp://www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gcps-imdweb01.nsf/489bc5772033f3eb85256d670066dfb8/b3e65007f46373e2852574b900679580/$FILE/GCPS%202009%20Technology%20Plan%20FINAL.pdfhttp://www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gcps-imdweb01.nsf/489bc5772033f3eb85256d670066dfb8/b3e65007f46373e2852574b900679580/$FILE/GCPS%202009%20Technology%20Plan%20FINAL.pdfhttp://www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gcps-imdweb01.nsf/489bc5772033f3eb85256d670066dfb8/b3e65007f46373e2852574b900679580/$FILE/GCPS%202009%20Technology%20Plan%20FINAL.pdfhttp://www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gcps-imdweb01.nsf/489bc5772033f3eb85256d670066dfb8/b3e65007f46373e2852574b900679580/$FILE/GCPS%202009%20Technology%20Plan%20FINAL.pdf


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The mission of Gwinnett County Public Schools is to pursue excellencein academic knowledge, skills, and behavior for each student, resultingin measured improvement against local, national, and world-classstandards.Vision:

Gwinnett County Public Schools will become a system of world-classschools where students acquire the knowledge and skills to besuccessful as they continue their education at thepostsecondary level and/or enter the workforce.Goals: Goal 1: Gwinnett County Public Schools will ensure a world-classeducation for all students by focusing on teaching and learning theAcademic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) curriculum. Goal 2: Gwinnett County Public Schools will ensure a safe, secure, and

orderly environment for all. Goal 3: Gwinnett County Public Schools will optimize student

achievement through responsible stewardship of its financial resourcesand the proactive pursuit of all resources necessary to meet current andfuture demands. Goal 4: Gwinnett County Public Schools will recruit, employ, develop,

and retain a workforce that achieves the mission and goals of theorganization. Goal 5: Gwinnett County Public Schools will meet the continuing andchanging demand for essential information through technologicalsystems and processes that support effective performance and desiredresults. Goal 6: Gwinnett County Public Schools will provide and manage thesystem's facilities and operations in an exemplary manner asdetermined by programmatic needs and best management practices. Goal 7: Gwinnett County Public Schools will apply continuous quality

improvement strategies and principles as the way the organization doesbusiness.VISION FOR GCPS. . .As a highly regarded school system that is committed to being worldclass, Gwinnett County Public Schools will strive to become:a. A system that is acknowledged, accepted, admired, and emulated bycustomers, stakeholders, professional peers, and competitors alike as a


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school system that is the best in its class.b. A system of world-class schools where students demonstrate theknowledge and skills to be successful as they continue their education atthe postsecondary level and/or enter the workforce.c. A system that is the school system of choice, worthy of the publicssupport and confidence.d. A practicing Quality organization.VISION FOR LEADERSHIP. . .As internal stakeholders in a system of world-class schools, leaders inGwinnett County Public Schools, regardless of position or job area:a. Are passionate about the vision, mission and goals of the schoolsystem.b. Effectively and consistently communicate to those they supervise howtheir work links and contributes to excellence in teaching and learningin the school system.c. Model the principles of Quality-Plus Leadership by being focused onresults, valuing accountability, exhibiting high energy, energizing others,executing to turn vision into reality, and leading by example.d. Encourage and inspire others to develop the characteristics ofQuality-Plus Leadership.e. Are committed to being lifelong learners.f. Accept that leadership is responsibility, not position, titles, or money.g. Believe that every employee in every area of the school system has thecapacity to be a leader.h. Continually improve their own job performance so that theorganization will continually improve.i. Clearly understand what constitutes effective performance in the

organization in order to achieve the desired results.

j. Nurture and promote a performance culture within their areas of theorganization.k. Understand that communication is an indispensable, primaryresponsibility of leadership.VISION FOR EMPLOYEES. . .


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As key players in our quest to become a system of world-class schools,GCPS employees will be:a. Committed to high expectations for student learning and willinglyaccountable for the results achieved.b. Respectful of the cultural differences among groups of students andemployees.c. Caring, competent, and passionate in carrying out theirresponsibilities in an ethical manner.d. Committed to continuous improvement-- customer focused, internallyand externally; results oriented, and accountability driven.e. Effective communicators within the organization and with thecommunity.f. Loyal to Gwinnett County Public Schools and supportive of its vision,mission, and goals.g. Exemplary users of technology.h. Role models for all students, the community, and those in theeducation profession.i. Lifelong learners committed to high standards of personal andprofessional growth.j. Recognized for superior skills and overall job performance.VISION FOR STUDENTS. . .As customers of a system of world-class schools, our students will:a. Perform on or above grade level as measured by the standards set inour essential curriculum, the Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS), andevidenced through various local, state, national, and internationalassessments.b. Take responsibility for their own learning and achievement.c. Be successful after high school, whether they continue their formaleducation or immediately enter the workforce.d. Learn in classrooms that are safe, orderly, and free from violence ordisruption of any kind.e. Demonstrate traditional values and good work habits.


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f. Value and appreciate their school experience.g. Develop and exhibit leadership and teamwork skills through theirdaily studies and participation in extracurricular activities.h. Become effective problem solvers and communicators through the

proficient use of technology.VISION FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS. . .As the childs first and foremost teachers and essential, expected

partners in a system of world-class schools, the parents/guardians ofour students will be:a. Involved in appropriate and meaningful ways at the local school andsystem levels.b. Engaged with the child and the teacher(s) in the process of teachingand learning in the school, home, and community.c. Proponents of setting high academic and behavioral expectations fortheir child, and active participants in helping the child meet or exceedthem.d. Partners in accountability for their childs achievement.e. Comfortable in all interactions with school personnel on behalf of thechild.f. Supportive of the schools goals and initiatives in order to contribute

to the schools effectiveness and the childs academic success.g. Diligent in communicating with the teacher and the school on aregular, ongoing basis, making use of oral, written, and electronic meansof sharing information, concerns, and ideas regarding the childslearning.h. Well-informed advocates for the school systems direction andinitiatives.VISION FOR CURRICULUM, INSTRUCTION, AND ASSESSMENT. . .As the essential product and the core process of our system of world-class schools, curriculum, instruction, and assessment in GCPS will bedistinguished by:a. Clear alignment of the curriculum with instruction and assessment.b. The continual review and revision of the Academic Knowledge andSkills (AKS) based on input from faculty, staff, parents, and the


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community.c. Widespread knowledge, understanding, and acceptance of theAcademic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) as a world-class curriculum.d. A clear focus on desired results.e. Teachers ability to access within and beyond the classroom the

student data necessary for planning instruction.f. Assessments that are used as teaching and learning tools as well asmeasures of performance, including Gateway tests that are used inmaking promotion decisions.g. Instructional strategies that are effective, relevant, challenging, andengaging to the learner.h. Teachers ability to teach and assess reading and mathematics aspriorities and the foundations for future learning.i. A commitment to providing both academic extensions to challengestudents and appropriate interventions to help students who need moretime and opportunity to learn.VISION FOR INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY. . .As indispensable parts of the instructional and administrativeinfrastructure of any system of world-class schools, informationmanagement and technology in GCPS will:a. Advance teaching and learning, with an emphasis on learning andproblem solving.b. Provide learning opportunities through which students and staffreceive, gather, analyze, and/or present information.c. Provide all users the information, skills, and tools they need toperform their jobs effectively and make data-driven decisions.d. Help teachers facilitate and evaluate student learning through avariety of methods with anytime, anywhere access.e. Facilitate communication between the system and its internal andexternal customers.f. Enable the system to achieve operational and analytical excellencethrough the use of progressive technology solutions.VISION FOR COMMUNICATION. . .


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As a vital component of a system of world-class schools, acommunication culture will be embraced throughout the organizationthat:a. Acknowledges that communication is the responsibility of everyinternal and external stakeholder.b. Promotes honest, reliable, two-way communication that builds trustand meets the highest standards of candor, openness, and accuracy.c. Is grounded in a commitment to share accurate, timely, meaningfulinformation with and by stakeholders.d. Is driven by the needs and wants of the intended audience andinvolves the use of multiple communication channels.e. Empowers stakeholders to be knowledgeable participants in thedecision-making processes of the school system.f. Demands communication of best-in-class practices throughout theorganization.While none of these statements address specific programs, the visionstatements do provide an opportunity to deliver rigorous academiccourses in multiple media, such as through our online campus(http://www.gwinnettk12online.net/), a collaborative streamingclassroom with Georgia Tech and three Gwinnett high schools, and theprovision of video streaming for certain educational resourcesthroughout the district.

Broad-Based Support

GCPS Division of Teaching and Learning

GCPS Information Management DivisionMedia SpecialistsLocal School Technology Coordinator (LSTC)Technology Support Technician (TST)

Needs Assessment System Technology Inventory Survey is mentioned in the TechnologyPlanBetter Example of Equipment Analysis:http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2010/2010040.pdf

Action Plan/Multi-year Planning

Gwinnett Countys Action Plan exists for 3 years

(July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2012).Program Integration Develop authentic models for assessing student achievement and

diagnosing data to differentiate instruction and maximize achievement.Restructure classroom instruction to make it valid, goal-oriented, and

connected to 21st Century technology.CurriculumIntegration To improve student performance, collaborative partnerships areencouraged and supported between IMD and district-level staff as well
http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2010/2010040.pdfhttp://nces.ed.gov/pubs2010/2010040.pdfhttp://nces.ed.gov/pubs2010/2010040.pdf


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as with educational personnel. These partnerships provide access to

materials and resources that support the use of technology in teaching,learning, and instructional management.

Evaluation 1) Regularly scheduled monthly scans at schools and data centers arenow part of normal operations.2) GCPS has developed surveys and will begin sending them to

principals.3) TSTs have been directed to document daily tasks using BMC Magic

tool.

4) IMD plans to roll out teacher service requests tooldependent upon

pilot results.5) First surveys have been completed and results sent to principals.

Survey results are positive. Reports are being developed and will begin

regular circulation at the beginning of 2009-2010 school year.

6) We are beginning to work on surveys specific to different tech

support teams, as well as associated goals.Standards 1. Creativity and Innovation

Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and

develop innovative products and processes using technology.a. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or

processesb. Create original works as a means of personal or group expressionc. Use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issuesd. Identify trends and forecast possibilities2. Communication and CollaborationStudents use digital media and environments to communicate and workcollaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning

and contribute to the learning of others.a. Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others

employing a variety of digital environments and media

b. Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences

using a variety of media and formatsc. Develop cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging

with learners of other cultures

d. Contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve

problems

3. Research and Information FluencyStudents apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.a. Plan strategies to guide inquiryb. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use

information from a variety of sources and mediac. Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the

appropriateness to specific tasks


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d. Process data and report results4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision MakingStudents use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research,

manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using

appropriate digital tools and resources.a. Identify and define authentic problems and significant questions forinvestigationb. Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a projectc. Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed

decisionsd. Use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore

alternative solutions5. Digital CitizenshipStudents understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to

technology and practice legal and ethical behavior.a. Advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of informationand technologyb. Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports

collaboration, learning, and productivityc. Demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learningd. Exhibit leadership for digital citizenship

6. Technology Operations and ConceptsStudents demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts,

systems, and operations.a. Understand and use technology systemsb. Select and use applications effectively and productivelyc. Troubleshoot systems and applicationsd. Transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologieshttp://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-students.aspx

Funding Alternatives Funding is provided via local funds, SPLOST funds, and eligible E-rateawards.

School PilotProjects/EducationalResearch

There are 2 Pilot Programs which would fit perfectly within the

Gwinnett County System, in accordance with the Technology Plan. The

first pilot program would deal with ePortfolios. This pilot program

would have a teacher track and a student track. The teacher track will

focus on English teachers converting current paper documents into anonline format. For the pilot program, two teachers and their respective

classes will be chosen. The track would focus on Lesson Plans,

Powerpoint Lessons, Worksheets, and Teacher-Made Evaluations

becoming a part of each teachers ePortfolio. The teachers would take an

8 semester course learning about how to develop ePortfolios. Teachers

will also be taught how to utilize their ePortfolios with their students

and teaching their students how to develop ePortfolios. Students will be
http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-students.aspxhttp://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-students.aspxhttp://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-students.aspx


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responsible for posting class work and blogs about the ePortfolios

effect on their learning experience. The goal is to have all English classes

fully immersed within 2 years.

Reference:Kirkham, T., Winfield, S., Smallwood, A., Coolin, K., Wood, S., &Searchwell, L. (2009). Introducing Live ePortfolios to Support Self

Organised Learning. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 12(3),

107-114. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database.The second project will focus on Online learning as remediation and

enrichment. The pilot program would focus on 2 math classes, Algebra

II and Pre-Calculus. Students who have failed the course would be

presented with this option to retake the class via an online method

using Moodle (A free e-learning online module). Students would take

the full course within an 8 week summer course. Passing this coursewould satisfy the requirement for graduation. Uniquely, this course

would also be presented to students who have passed the pre-requisite

classes in the spring semester. These students would have the

opportunity to take the course in the summer and receive full credit for

the course upon receiving a grade of B or better in the class and an 85 or

better on the final exam for the class.Reference:Thomson, D. (2010). Beyond the Classroom Walls: Teachers' and

Students' Perspectives on How Online Learning Can Meet the Needs of

Gifted Students. Journal of Advanced Academics, 21(4), 662-712.

Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database.Model Classroom

ConfigurationsNew schools and those schools with upgraded technology also receive a

"base technology package" that supports the planned activities at the

school. For example, each newly constructed or upgraded classroom

includes a teacher laptop, a desktop printer, a television, and two

network connections. Classrooms meeting the baseline standard for a

21st Century classroom have the following components: Two to five modern computers (laptops or desktops); An LCD projector (ceiling-mounted or cart-mounted) with at

least 1600 Lumens and all necessary cabling to connect to

instructional devices; Interactive whiteboard (wall-mounted or stand-mounted) with

accompanying software; A student response system

Facilities Standard Ed Specs 2000 Basic Equipment is being installed into buildingadditions as they open in FY2009-2012. SPLOST III & Bond funds are


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used to retrofit all elementary schools. Technology equipment is

deployed and can be used to access information.Maintenance/Support All GCPS schools are either new, retrofitted within the last four years, or

in the process of being retrofitted. This means that schools are

consistently operating modern computers, have the highest level of

network available, and are able to accommodate instructional software

throughout the schools.Software Agreements Available software packages within the district are Accelerated Reader,

BrainPOP, HyperSnap, Get Moving, Harcourt Math website, ClassXP, and

Go Gwinnett Portal.Copyright/

Acceptable Use PolicyAppendix A: Acceptable Use of Electronic Media for Students(Version 050509)The Board recognizes that electronic media, including the Internet,

provides access to a wide variety of instructional resources in an effort

to enhance educational opportunities. Use of electronic resources must

be in support of, and consistent with the vision, mission and goals

established by the Board and for the purpose of AKS instructionalsupport. All users of the district wide area network and/or other

electronic informational services must maintain strict compliance with

all applicable ethical and legal rules and regulations regarding access.

The purpose of these guidelines is to ensure that all GCPS technology

users share the GCPS technology resources in an effective,efficient, ethical and lawful manner. GCPS technology should be used for

legitimate educational reasons only, and not for personal use.Strict compliance with all applicable ethical and legal rules and

regulations must be maintained by all users of the wide area network

and/or other electronic informational services including electronic mail

(e-mail). Users must respect intellectual property rights and understand

that school system data accessible over the network, regardless ofthe computer or device being used, constitutes property. All electronic,

telephonic, and communications transmitted by, received from, or

stored in these systems are property of the Gwinnett County Public

Schools. Users of such systems should have no expectation of privacy.

Student e-mail use for legitimate educational purposes will besubject to monitoring and review, including review of text and

attachments that are related to that student or students. At NO TIME

should a student consider GCPS e-mail private or confidential in any

way. It is important to note that with a global network it is impossible to

control or predict all materials a user may accidentally or purposefully


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discover on an electronic resource. Gwinnett County Public Schools

personnel will make every effort to educate and guide all users in the

proper use of electronic media, including the Internet. Because access to

the Internet provides connections to other computer systems located all

over the world, users (and parents of users) must understand that

neither the Gwinnett County Public Schools nor any district staffmember controls the content of the information available on these other

systems. Some of the information available is controversial and

sometimes may be offensive. Gwinnett County Public Schools DOES NOT

CONDONE the use of such materials. Therefore, it is imperative that the

user be held accountable for the appropriate utilization of this

technology.Login information, usernames, and passwords are confidential. YOU are

responsible for keeping logins secure. At no time should someone log in

with your user name or password, and you should not use someoneelses information. Students should never log into a teacher or staff

members computer; this must be done by the teacher or staff member.ACCESS IS A PRIVILEGE - NOT A RIGHT! Inappropriate use will result in

a cancellation of these privileges as well as possible assignment of

disciplinary action consistent with the policies and procedures of

Gwinnett County Public Schools.Local schools may establish additional regulatory guidelines for use of

electronic resources that include, but are not limited to, guidelines

established by this systemwide procedure. Building administrators shall

establish a process for informing students and staff about the district

and local school Acceptable Use Procedures.The definition of GCPS information and data resources will include any

computer, server or network, or access provided or supported by GCPS,

including portal-delivered applications and the Internet. Use of

computer information and resources includes the use of data/programs

stored on GCPS computing systems, data/programs stored and/or

delivered through magnetic tape, floppy disk, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs

computer peripherals, or other storage media, that is owned and

maintained by the GCPS. The user of the system is the student using

GCPS technology. Access is a privilege, not a right, and all students are

expected to treat this learning tool with respect.GCPS technology and electronic resources must not be used to: Harm other people. Interfere with other peoples work.


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Use a computer to steal property. Gain unauthorized access to other peoples files or programs. Gain unauthorized access to on-line resources by using someone elses

password. Make changes to the hardware or software configuration of any

machine, including installing or deleting any software. Improperly using the network, including introducing software viruses

and/or bypassing local school or office security policies. Steal or damage data and/or computers and network equipment. Access, upload, download, and distribute pornographic, hate-oriented,

profane, obscene, or sexuallyexplicit material.Failure to follow these guidelines can violate the Official Code of

Georgia, O.C.G.A., Codes 16-9-90, 16-9-91, 16-9-93, and 16-9-93.1 as

well as Title XVII of United States Public Law 106-554, known as theChildrens Internet Protection Act. Such use can also lead to disciplinary

actions, up to and including loss of access to GCPS technology resources

and further disciplinary actions as defined by existing GCPS policies.Appendix B: Acceptable Use of Electronic Media for Personnel,Intern/Student Teachers, Substitute Teachers, Volunteers, andVendors (Version 050509)The following document outlines guidelines for use of the computing

systems and facilities located at or operated by Gwinnett County Public

Schools (GCPS). The definition of GCPS information and data resources

will include any computer, server or network, or access provided or

supported by GCPS, including the Internet. Use of the computerfacilities includes the use of data/programs stored on GCPS computing

systems, data/programs stored on magnetic tape, floppy disk, CD-ROMs,

DVD-ROMs, computer peripherals, or other storage media, that is

owned and maintained by GCPS. The "user" of the system is the person

requesting an account (or accounts) in order to performwork in support of the GCPS program or a project authorized for GCPS.

The purpose of these guidelines is to ensure that all GCPS technology

users share the GCPS technology resources in an effective, efficient,ethical and lawful manner.The Board recognizes that electronic media, including the internet,





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established by the Gwinnett County Board of Education and for thepurpose of AKS instructional support or administrative functions. All

users of the district wide area network and/or other electronic

informational services must maintain strict compliance with all

applicable ethical and legal rules and regulations regarding access.As a GCPS employee, volunteer, or vendor, you will be expected tomaintain appropriate passwords to obtain access for your job and/or

tasks. All GCPS-issued passwords should be changed within one week of

issuance by the user if the application enables the user to do so. Not all

applications allow this, but the applications where the passwordshould be changed immediately include Novell, Lotus Notes, the GCPS

Portal (go.gwinnett) and SASIxp / CLASSxp, should you be provided

with these resources. Passwords should be changed every 90 days

thereafter to maintain the integrity of the GCPS network.Login information, usernames, and passwords are confidential. YOU areresponsible for keeping logins secure. At no time should someone log in

with your username or password, and you should not use someone

elses information. Students should never log into a teacher or staff

members computer; this must be done by the teacher or staff member.Additionally, GCPS technology and electronic resources must not be

used to: Harm other people. Interfere with other peoples work. Use a computer to steal property. Gain unauthorized access to other peoples files or programs. Gain unauthorized access to on-line resources by using someone elses

password. Make changes to the hardware or software configuration of any

machine, without following local school procedures for approval. Improperly using the network, including introducing software viruses


profane, obscene, or sexually explicit material.Failure to follow these guidelines can violate the Official Code ofGeorgia, OCGA, Codes 16-9-90, 16-9-91, 16-9-92, and 16-9-93, as well as

United States Public Law 106-554, known as the Children's Internet

Protection Act. Such use can also lead to disciplinary actions, up to and

including termination of employment or contract with GCPS and

criminal prosecution.


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At no time should student names be broadcast or disclosed in

unauthorized communications sent outside the GCPS network. For

example, a teacher-initiated progress report sent through email to a

parent is appropriate, but posting individually-identifiable student

testing data on a non-GCPS website is not appropriate. Teachers should

closely monitor classroom activities where students are communicatingoutside of GCPS. Such activities might be classroom-to-classroom

collaborative projects, pen pals and web-site-related instructional

activities. At no time should student privacy be compromised in these

communications, nor should students work be delivered outside ofGCPS without direct supervision of the students teacher. Student and

staff data may be transmitted periodically to educational and

government entities for required business purposes, but these

transmissions are managed in a secure environment to maintain

student and staff confidentiality. Finally, please note that GCPS

technology use is subject to auditing for legitimate purposes, as well aslive monitoring where appropriate.

Appendix C: Acceptable Use of Electronic Media for TechnologyTeam Personnel: Central Office Technology Personnel, Technology

Support Technicians, and Local School Technology Coordinators

(Version 050509)The following document outlines guidelines for use of the computing

systems and facilities located at or operated by Gwinnett County Public

Schools (GCPS). The definition of GCPS information and data resources

will include any computer, server or network, or access provided or

supported by GCPS, including the Internet. Use of the computerfacilities includes the use of data/programs accessed through GCPS

computing systems, data/programs stored on magnetic tape, floppy

disk, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, computer peripherals, or other storage

media, that is owned and maintained by the GCPS. The "user" of the

system is the person requesting an account (or accounts) in order toperform work in support of the GCPS program or a project authorized

for GCPS. The purpose of these guidelines is to ensure that all GCPS

technology users operate the GCPS technology resources in an effective,

efficient, ethical and lawful manner.The Board recognizes that electronic media, including the internet,




established by the Gwinnett County Board of Education and for the


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purpose of AKS instructional support or administrative functions. All

users of the district wide area network and/or other electronic

informational services must maintain strict compliance with all

applicable ethical and legal rules and regulations regarding access.As a GCPS employee, you will be expected to maintain appropriate

passwords to obtain access for your job and/or tasks. All GCPS-issuedpasswords should be changed within one week of issuance by the user if

the application enables the user to do so. Not all applications allow this,

but the applications where the password should be changed

immediately include the GCPS Portal (go.gwinnett), Novell, Microsoft

Active Directory Services, Lotus Notes, and SASIxp / CLASSxp.

Passwords should be changed every 90 days thereafter to maintain the

integrity of the GCPS network.Login information, usernames, and passwords are confidential. YOU are

responsible for keeping logins secure. At no time should someone log inwith your username or password, and you should not use someone

elses information. Students should never log into a teacher or staff

members computer; this must be done by the teacher or staff member.Technology Team Personnel should not maintain a list of passwords

unless there is a current support activity that requires the use of the

user's password. Under no circumstances should a computers

administrative passwords be changed.The access of the network for specific GCPS employee monitoring

activities, commonly referred to as "sniffing" the network or

eavesdropping, is not a function of the technology team in a school. The

monitoring of student technology uses is within the role of the school

technologists. The Division of Information Management has been given

the charge to perform network monitoring to include specific

investigations. If a technology team member feels that such an

investigation should occur, he or she needs to contact his/her

supervising administrator, then the supervising administrator should

contact the Superintendent and the Chief Information Officer.Additionally, GCPS technology and electronic resources must not be

used to: Harm other people. Interfere with other peoples work. Use a computer to steal property. Gain unauthorized access to other peoples files, data, email, or

programs. Gain unauthorized access to on-line resources by using someone elses


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password. Improperly using the network, including introducing software viruses


profane, obscene, or sexually explicit material.Many system administrators and central office personnel have

responsibilities to maintain the network resources and networked data.

The following guidelines should be enforced at all levels to protect the

rights and privacy of students and employees: Use and disclose the users data and information only to the extent

necessary to perform the work required to assist the user or complete

job-specific tasks. Particular emphasis should be placed on restrictingdisclosure of the data/information to those persons who have a definite

need for the data in order to perform their work in assisting the user. Do not reproduce the GCPS employee or staff member user's data andinformation unless specifically permitted by the user or in conjunction

with an officially authorized activity, such as an investigation. Refrain from disclosing a GCPS employee or staff member user's data

and information to third parties unless the user provides written

consent. Since the GCPS network is monitored and all traffic may besubject to review, under no circumstances are passwords to be

transmitted electronically in a broadcast fashion. Obtain an Acceptable Use Policy agreement or Non-Disclosure

Agreement prior to allowing individuals to access data. These may be

obtained from the GCPS Division of Information Management and the

Office of the Superintendent. School principals may authorize the

development or creation of student password lists only, but NOT for

GCPS employees. It is recommended that student password lists be

maintained by specifically designated personnel, such as the LSTC, TST,

and school administrators, and be treated with appropriate care to

maintain privacy on the network. Currently, specialized access exists for

the Local School Technology Team, including the Local School

Technology Coordinator (LSTC), the Technology Support Technician

(TST) and the Media Specialist. They are charged with theresponsibility of maintaining many of the rights to GCPS network

resources.In the area of technology standards, telephone communications, and

network configurations, the GCPS Division of Information Management

has the final right, authority, and responsibility to review enterprise

practices and ultimately resolve any discrepancies with regard to issues


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of security and access. As stewards of the network in schools and

specific locations, technology team members are ethically charged totroubleshoot within their area of responsibility ONLY, meaning their

specific school or department. To that end, at no point should a

technology team member provide or use access to network resources

outside of their own areas of responsibility. Great care should be takento use email appropriately, as email communication can easily bedistributed to the wrong audiences. Failure to follow these guidelines

can violate the Official Code of Georgia, OCGA, Codes 16-9-90, 16-9-91,

16-9-92, and 16-9-93, as well as United States Public Law 106-554,

known as the Children's Internet Protection Act. Such use can also lead

to disciplinary actions, up to and including termination of employment.

The only exceptions to this policy are those employees who, for

legitimate and legally appropriate reasons, need special access to

accomplish their tasks, such as with School Resource Officers. All such

exceptions will have to be cleared through the chief executive of theGCPS Division of Information Management. At no time should student

names be broadcast or disclosed in communications sent outside the

GCPS network.Teachers should closely monitor classroom activities where students

are communicating outside of GCPS. Such activities might be classroom-

to-classroom collaborative projects, pen pals and web-site-related

instructional activities. At no time should student privacy be

compromised in these communications, nor should students work be

delivered outside of GCPS without direct supervision of the students

teacher. Student and staff data may be transmitted periodically to

educational and government entities for required business purposes,

but these transmissions are managed in a secure environment to

maintain student and staff confidentiality. Technology team members

are not immune from disciplinary action, up to and including

termination of employment and legal prosecution, should infringements

occur. Tampering with, deleting, or editing information or evidence that

may implicate a technology team member during an investigation may

also be grounds for disciplinary action.Gifts and Disposal Gifts

All funds held by the Gwinnett County Board of Education and its local

schools, regardless of the source, are held in public trust. As a result,

Gwinnett County Board of Education employees will approach all

purchasing and procurement decisions as responsible stewards of

public funds.


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Gwinnett County Board of Education employees shall not engage in

unethical behavior or compromising practices in relationships, actions

and communications with present or potential suppliers. Further,

Gwinnett County Board of Education employees shall avoid the intent

and appearance of unethical behavior or compromising practices in

relationships, actions and communications with present and potentialsuppliers.

Gwinnett County Board of Education employees or consultants are

expressly prohibited from soliciting, demanding or accepting directly or

indirectly, any economic opportunity, future employment, gift, loan,

gratuity, special discount, trip, favor, or service in connection with thefollowing: Approving, disapproving, recommending, or preparing any part of a

program requirement or purchase request; Influencing the content of any specification or procurement standard,rendering of advice, investigation, or audit; Awarding a contract.Any Gwinnett County Board of Education employee who observes or

suspects unethical behavior in the procurement of goods or services

should report that behavior to the following individuals or offices, as

appropriate under the circumstances: The individual's supervisor, or The Director of Purchasing, or The Office of Internal Resolution, Division of Human Resources, or The Superintendent's Office, or The Board of Education.DisposalWhen property owned by Gwinnett County Public Schools is no longer

of economically sound use for meeting a system need, then it shall be

disposed of by the most cost effective of the following six methods:1. Property shall be sold to the highest bidder via a competitive bidprocess, spot bid sale, or auction. This may include electronic or virtual

auction methods. Such events shall be advertised in appropriate media,

sufficiently in advance of the sale date to provide a competitive

environment for maximizing system revenues. School district

employees empowered with the responsibility of declaring items

surplus shall be excluded from bidding only on the items they have


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declared as surplus.2. Property shall be sold in an "over the counter" manner to the public

at any time based on prices established by the Assistant Director of

Environmental & Supply Services and approved by the Director of

Environmental & Supply Services. The prices charged will be based onprices received in the most recent spot bid or auction sale of a like item.3. Property shall be transferred at no charge to an agency of the

Gwinnett County Government in response to a written request.

Gwinnett County Government will affirm in writing its agreement to

accept the transferred property and will be responsible for retrieving

the property from Gwinnett County Public Schools.4. Property shall be transferred at no charge to a non-profit

organization in response to a written request. The non-profitorganization will affirm in writing its agreement to accept the

transferred property and will be responsible for retrieving the property

from Gwinnett County Public Schools.5. After six months or a spot bid sale or auction, surplus items not

claimed or purchased will be disposed of in a manner determined by the

Assistant Director of Environmental & Supply Services.6. Unserviceable/Unusable Surplus Property -- These items may be

disposed of in the best interest of the School System as approved by the

Assistant Director of Environmental & Supply Services. Items that can

be recycled in a cost effective manner shall be.Staff Development The following staff development resources are some of the

opportunities available for teachers to further integrate technology into

their daily instruction:1 Staff may engage in partnership with the Educational

Technology Training Center. This partnership provides

technology training sessions for LSTCs, media specialists, and

media clerks.2 Staff may engage in a Train-the-Trainer program (for upgrades

and new school technology deployment and laptop rollouts).

The Train-the-Trainer initiative demonstrates a consistent

process-based approach to educate LSTCs on how to provide

basic training to teachers during laptop rollouts. Train-the-

Trainer models were used as part of the deployment model in

which LSTCs were organized together into groups and taught

how to present training to their local faculty. They received


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manuals as education material and were given timeline

schedules. The program concluded when the LSTCs sign off that

training was complete.3 Staff may engage in competency testing or course completion to

renew teaching certification. The State has required teachers to

either pass a competency test or take a course in order to gettheir teaching certificate renewed. To help teachers meet these

requirements, GCPS offers access to the Georgia Assessment

online test. Teachers can come to a GCPS location and take the

test, but they must obtain a certain score to determine that they

are technology competent. They also have the option of taking

the Gwinnett Technology Academy for Teachers class. It is a 50-

hour course. Administrators are required by the state to take

this course to renew their certificates. A portfolio option was

offered to complete the class requirements and to allow

teachers to submit a portfolio to be evaluated for competence.The five-year cycle for this requirement is near completion. In

June of 2006 everyone must have met that requirement in order

to get their certificate renewed.4 Staff may engage in identification of technology needs for media

specialists and LSTCs. Each year, media specialists and LSTCs fill

out surveys to describe their experience and opinion of the

types of technology training they have received. The purpose of

these surveys is to evaluate the functions that these groups

perform in the school system, and based on the results,

determine ways to increase their instructional support role.

From those surveys, professional development planning

sessions are designed or the ETTC is contacted to supplement

training activities.

Documents

HelmsRankineScott_TechPlanUpdate