Located in Northeast Tennessee, at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the Greene County School System serves approximately 6867 students (98.6% Caucasian, 0.4% Hispanic, 0.7% African-American, 0.2% Asian, American Indian, 0.1%). The school system is comprised of four (9-12) high schools, eleven (K-8) elementary schools, and one Educational Center. The staff is comprised of 515 certified teachers and 323 support staff members. Other system related data include an attendance rate of 95% and a promotion rate of approximately 98.4%.

Modern day technology began in Greene County in 1993 with the 21st Century Classroom project. State funding was combined with a matching local supplement to purchase computers and other technological advancements to begin placing 21st century technology in our schools. In addition, a system-level technology coordinator was employed.

Greene County gained access to the Internet in 1994 when an Internet connection was established in each school’s library. Librarians were trained on the use of the Internet and given their own Internet accounts.

During the 95-96 school year our school system experimented with a new Internet project in which a webmaster selected at each school began to build webpages to be placed on the World Wide Web. Due to the growth of technology, a position for a system technician was created.

The next major step to Internet and networking capabilities came with the completion of the state department’s ConnecTEN project. With ConnecTEN funds, equipment was placed in each of our schools that allowed a more economical and higher speed connection to the Internet.

During 1997-98 all of our schools were wired to allow a school-wide LAN to exist. This permitted each classroom and administrative office to be connected to the Internet. As the result of the successful implementation of technology to this point, employment of additional support staff was necessary. This included an assistant technology coordinator and a second system level technician. Also, a support program was initiated that designated and compensated interested teachers in providing building level support outside of instructional time.

Growth of technology at individual schools necessitated the addition of seven Technology Support Teachers (TST’s) who serve all 15 district schools and the Educational Center. These positions are the start of a process to improve the integration of technology into classrooms and to provide more building level technical support in all Greene County schools.

Section 1:    Needs Assessment

Plan:  http://pages.xtn.net/~gcs/techplan/plan.html

2002-2003: The Technology Support Teachers from each school completed the Tennessee STaR Chart (School Technology and Readiness) for each school in the district.  The results were compiled and used to determine the baseline level of technology literacy and incorporation of technology into district educational practice.

2003-2004: The Tennessee STaR Chart will be completed by the Technology Committee from each school. The results will be compiled and used to determine the increased level of technology literacy and incorporation of technology into district educational practice.

2004-2005: The Tennessee STaR Chart will be completed by the Technology Committee from each school. The results will be compiled and used to determine the increased level of technology literacy and incorporation of technology into district educational practice.

2005-2006: The Tennessee STaR Chart will be completed by the Technology Committee from each school. The results will be compiled and used to determine the increased level of technology literacy and incorporation of technology into district educational practice.

Results 2002-2003:

The Tennessee -STaR Chart from each Greene County School is reported and a table created for comparison.  This individual school information can be found in Appendix A.

Composite Greene County School District Data is reported in the table below.

Section 2:    Stakeholder Involvement in Planning

Schools face the challenge of preparing students to live, to learn, and to work successfully in today's knowledge-based digital society. To do so will require high-performance learning of academic content using 21st-Century skills and tools. To accomplish this, schools must become high-performance learning organizations. Stakeholders must be a part of this process. The Tennessee Star Chart and ETOTE will be used as assessment instruments.

Sections 3 and 4:    Timeline for Integration of Technology and Responsible Parties
 

Technology Advisory Committee
July - August 2002	Begin developing an annual budget for hardware/software and staff development
June 2002	Evaluate school’s Minimum Recommendations of Student Use Progress Report
June - July 2002	Begin developing Staff Development Needs Survey
August 2002	List staff development technology needs based on STaR Chart
September 2002	Make recommendations concerning system-wide staff development
June 2002	Technology Support Teachers complete the Tennessee STaR Chart for each school in the district.
June 2002	Tennessee STaR Chart results were compiled and used to determine the baseline level of technology literacy and incorporation of technology into district educational practice.
Spring  2003	Compile and analyze Staff Development Needs Survey results
2003-2006	A Tennessee STaR Chart will be used with all Teachers, Staff, Administration, Parents, and Students.
2004-2006	A January Technology Staff Development day specifically related to mid-course corrections, alternate strategies, and new technologies
2002-2006	Determine funding sources (other than central office) for hardware and software
2002-2006	Determine procedures for acquiring funding for hardware and software
2002-2006	Provide technology coaching and staff development
2002-2006	Maintain and support system technology
2002-2006	Increase teacher use of technology by providing staff development that enhances the integration of technology into the curriculum

 
 
 

Building Level Webmasters
1st  Semester 2002	Develop strategies to promote interactive use of technology between staff, parents, students and community members
2003-2006	Implement appropriate strategies to promote interactive use of technology

 
 
 

Technology Staff
2002-2004	Review/revise Minimum Recommendations of Student Technology Checklist
2002-2006	Develop and submit a list of hardware/software needed to meet Minimum Recommendations of Student Use
2002-2006	Recommend to technology committee and/or principal hardware/software purchases for each site

 
 
 

Teachers
2002-2006	Promote student achievement by integrating technology into the curriculum
2002-2006	Correlate classroom use of technology with student achievement and state standards
2002-2006	Assess technology use by themselves as well as their students
2002-2006	Promote the use technology to solve problems and improve higher order thinking skills
2002-2006	Utilize existing support procedures

 
 
 

Principals
August  2002-2006	Communicate Teacher Technology Competency Expectations
2002-2006	Monitor Teacher Staff Development
2002-2006	Increase teacher use of technology by providing staff development that enhances the integration of technology into the curriculum
2002-2006	Teacher observations will include an assessment of technology use for each teacher during the monitoring process in the elementary school and classroom observations in the high school
2002-2006	Utilize existing support procedures
2002-2006	Make sure that Email and Web capabilities are utilized by all staff to improve electronic communication among district administration, staff, parents, students and community members
2002-2006	Expect all teaching staff to meet technology proficiencies and integrate the use of technology in the curriculum

 
 
 

Technology Coordinators
2002-2006	Determines and recommends technology support staff personnel changes and additions needed to implement technology plan
2002-2006	Makes recommendations concerning the coordination of system-wide staff development
2002-2006	Makes recommendations to appropriate others concerning ways to increase integration of technology throughout the district
2002-2006	Suggests ways schools can meet Minimum Recommendations of Student Use
2002-2006	Maintains and supports system technology from the district level
2002-2006	Evaluates, plans for, and oversees all the networking infrastructure needs and concerns of the district
2002-2006	Oversees the application for E-Rate funding and manages E-Rate funding in the school system

 
 
 

Building Level Technologists
2002-2006	Help the system technology person for his/her school support technology at the building level

 
 
 

Director of Schools
2003-2004	Approves and purchases upgrades for infrastructure hardware, including servers and network operating system
2003-2004	Expands the number of technology support positions to provide more assistance whenever possible
2003-2006	Approves and procures software at the district level as needed
2004-2009	Approves and procures hardware with a refresh cycle of a minimum of every five years

 
 
 

Greene County School Board
2002-2004	Employ personnel necessary to support existing and future technology
2003-2004	Approves and purchases upgrades for infrastructure hardware, including servers and network operating system
2003-2004	Expands the number of technology support positions to provide more assistance whenever possible
2003-2006	Approves and procures software at the district level as needed
2004-2009	Approves and procures hardware with a refresh cycle of a minimum of every five years

Section 5:    Vision

The Greene County Schools learning community will be technologically literate, lifelong learners empowered with the skills necessary to become productive citizens in a global society.  Instructional Technology will provide a key tool for increasing student achievement.

Section 6:  Goals, Objectives, and Strategies

The goals, objectives, and strategies are aligned with the minimum criteria required for enhancing education through technology funding and E-rate discounts as outlined in the Tennessee Master Plan Section 4.
 
 
 
 

Goals

Goal 1: Students will be educated in learning environments that have access to educational technology used in support of academic achievement. Indicator 1.1: The number of schools in which all students are able to work from networked computers

Goal 2: Students will demonstrate technology literacy by the end of eighth grade. Indicator 2.1:  The percentage of students demonstrating grade appropriate literacy in technology Indicator 2.2:  The percentage of schools with advanced patterns of student technology use

Goal 3:  Students will be taught by teachers qualified to use technology for instruction Indicator 3.1:   The percentage of schools in which teachers are using technology for instruction

Objectives

Objective 1.1.1:   The student to computer ratio in all schools, and especially poverty schools, will be at least less than 10 students per computer with a refresh cycle established for every 5 years by 2005.

Objective 2.1.1: The percentage of students across all grade levels demonstrating grade appropriate literacy in technology through authentic assessment measures will grow by 10 percent each year

Objective 2.2.1: The percentage of schools demonstrating advanced patterns of technology student use will grow by 12% each year.

Objective 3.1.1: In all schools, 100% of the educators will meet ISTE technology proficiencies and implement in the classroom by 2006.

Objective 3.1.2: The percentage of schools whose patterns of teacher use of technology is Advanced will grow by 12% each year

Objective 3.1.3: The percentage schools in which classroom technology use is integrated into subject area will grow by 12% each year.

Objective 3.1.4: The percentage of schools in which the impact of technology on the teacher role and collaborative learning achieves the Advanced level will grow by 12% each year

Strategies

Strategy 1.1.1  Submission of annual on-line School Technology and Readiness (STaR Chart) report by each school: Focus item R, Level of Progress: Developing Tech. Use e-rate funding to increase student access to technology

Strategy 2.1.1: Use of a technology questionnaire/checklist to report percentages of students having grade-appropriate technology skills Strategy  2.2.1:  Submission of annual on-line School Technology and Readiness report by each school: Focus item F, Level of Progress: Advanced Tech

Strategy  3.1.1 Submission of annual on-line School Technology and Readiness report by each school: Focus item H, Level of Progress: Target Tech Increase teacher use of technology by providing staff development that enhances the integration of technology into the curriculum

Strategy  3.1.2: Submission of annual on-line School Technology and Readiness report by each school: Focus item B, Level of Progress: Advanced Tech Strategy  3.1.3:  Submission of annual on-line School Technology and Readiness report by each school: Focus item D, Level of Progress: Advanced Tech Strategy  3.1.4:  Submission of annual on-line School Technology and Readiness report by each school: Focus item A, Level of Progress: Advanced Tech

Section 7:    Collaboration Among Educators

Greene County School System will encourage collaboration among all district educators using the following strategies:

• Continue active technology committees at the district and school level
• Publish monthly online Greene County Schools Greene Bytes Newsletter
• Provide access to administrators, faculty, and staff through published email accounts
• Implement use of Spectrum Software by all Greene County Librarians
• Organize grade level/departmental meetings
• Encourage faculty participation on textbook committees
• Maintain active school improvement committees
• Implement and maintain Southern Association Accreditation Committees
• Participate in School of Promise participation
• Continue collaboration of classroom teachers and librarians to encourage reading though the use of Accelerated Reader and Scholastic Reading Counts
• Develop and expand curriculum through collaboration of classroom teachers, librarians, and technology instructors
• Support county-wide participation in science fairs, round robin, science bowl, art exhibits, music programs, spelling bee, gifted program, etc.

The Greene County School System will establish stronger parental and community involvement using the following strategies:

• Distribute mid-term reports via Making the Grade software
• Use local media outlet for public service announcements
• Publish school newsletters
• Post monthly online school calendars and yearly online district calendar
• Increase telephone access
• Maintain a comprehensive web site that provides links to all schools in the Greene County School System
• Provide public access to administrators, faculty, and staff through published email accounts
• Continue cooperative learning projects involving Tusculum College, Mosheim Public Library, Walters State Community College, and the Greene County Educational Center
• Schedule joint meetings of the Greeneville City and Greene County Boards of Education for the planning and implementation of programs at the Greeneville-Greene County Center for Technology
• Participate in the School of Promise
• Continue the Greeneville-Greene County Adult Literacy Program to serve the needs of local citizens
• Solicit corporate support and input from identified Partners in Education
• Publish online Greene County Schools Greene Bytes Newsletter.

Teacher and administrators recognize that technology can be used to support and enhance student achievement.  Integrating technology across the curriculum is an on-going process, which involves many aspects of the educational system.  To facilitate this process, the technology committees will identify and promote curricula and teaching strategies that integrate technology. These strategies will be based on a review of relevant research in instructional technology, aligned to state instructional technology standards, and will lead to improvements in student academic achievement. A combination of technology funds, including E-Rate and Ed Tech funds, will be used to develop and encourage implementation of the following strategies:

• Use online tests for grades 3-8 to deliver reports on children's progress in math and language arts instantaneously
• Maintain district web pages that provide links to assist teachers with aligning technology resources with the curriculum in social studies, science, math and language arts
• Use flexible scheduling to allow students access to specialized or rigorous academic courses and curricula through the use of technology, specifically distance learning technologies
• Provide labs with networked diagnostic and content based software programs
• Maintain internet access available for students and teachers in each school
• Implement capabilities for video production
• Use online grades, teacher web pages, and published e-mail accounts to communicate information to parents
• Evaluate practices that contain instrument for evaluating teacher use of technology in the classroom
• Utilize student technology checklist for grades K-8 that aligns with the state technology standards
• Offer high school curriculum courses that address current technology and its uses, including distance learning technologies
• Provide Technology Support Teachers at each school to encourage the effective integration of technology resources and systems through teacher training
• Involve active Technology Committees at each school in the decision making process for software and hardware purchases, integration and alignment with curriculum, and day-to-day implementation of technology
• Support budget allowing for purchases relevant to each school
• Improve connectivity in classrooms for greater interoperability within the school
• Enhance instruction and student creativity via digital imaging capabilities
• Engage administrative support and recognition of teachers who actively use technology as part of the learning process.

To ensure academic success, teachers and students in all schools will have access to technology resources. Ed-Tech funds, Erate discounts, and other funds will be used to provide technology as outlined in the following steps:

1. Provide equivalent network infrastructure (WAN/ LAN), including Internet access, to each school site and district office (Updated network servers and the operating software will be acquired during the 2003-2004 school year.)
2. Purchase computer hardware, software, distance learning, and other technologies that can be used to increase student achievement
3. Provide ongoing, sustained staff development to assist teachers and staff in curriculum integration
4. Establish a comprehensive curriculum for all students based upon state objectives
5. Schedule equal access to hardware and software for all grades
6. Evaluate the academic growth of all students and provide information regarding the progress to parents
7. Establish a 5-year replacement cycle to ensure access to up-to-date hardware and software.

Technology will be used to provide students, teachers, administrators, and parents with timely information. Title II Part D funds will be used to help students access and use information, effectively utilize the internet, and improve skills in core academic areas. The Title II Part D project will deal with providing quality professional development in high poverty and high need schools.

• Student-data management systems, grade book software, and programs that track student competencies can all be used to collect and manage data.
• An Assistive Technology Practitioner is provided by the district to all Greene County Schools to accommodate for special needs of individual students.
• Information will be made available to teachers and administrators through the school network
• E-mail accounts and web page posting will be provided for all faculty and staff.
• E-mail will be used to send progress reports from teachers to parents as well as to enable parents to request progress information.
• Information will be made available to students and parents by posting it on the school’s website.
• The EIS web site will be used for data reporting.
• Technology support personnel will be available for each school on a weekly basis.
• Horizon Student Management System will track student data.
• EPES software will be used for bookkeeping and monitoring school funds.
• Distance learning technologies will be explored and used for students, faculty, and staff on an ongoing basis.

Learning management software and systems guide in development of standards-based curricula.  These electronically delivered learning materials are approved for student and teacher use in Greene County Schools:

•      A+dvanced Learning
•      Academy of Reading
•      Accelerated Reader
•      Boxer Algebra
•      Essential Skills Software
•      Fast ForWord
•      Gibco Dynamo
•      Glencoe Math Software
•      Josten’s Compass Learning
•      Knowledge Works
•      Making the Grade
•      Map Skills
•      Microgram
•      MS Office
•      MS Works
•      Netscape Communicator / Internet Explorer
•      Orchard
•      PAWS
•      Plato
•      Scholastic Reading Counts
•      SEC Kid's College
•      Star Office
•      Winnebago/Spectrum
•      Writer’s Choice

Educators will continually update their technology skills and knowledge base through ongoing, sustained staff development activities that address:

• effective technology integration
• technology use
• correlation of classroom technology with student achievement and state standards.

Quality instruction will encompass advanced technologies as well as emerging technologies.

Based upon research, teachers need the opportunity to investigate best practices.  They need time to explore technology independent of pressure to perform.  Current practices include the following:

• Staff survey of professional development needs
• Administrative support and provisions for technology staff development opportunities
• One-on-one mentoring
• Online training
• Individual coaching from a Technology Support Teacher
• Small group informal sessions
• Large group instruction
• Access to professional literature and resources
• Individualized training will employ the use of video, CD-ROMs, and guidebooks
• Peer sharing during grade level and departmental meetings
• Use of mentor teachers to support development of inexperienced teachers
• Technology Committee members as advisors within their areas
• District technology training opportunities
• Online district Basic Instructional Technology Sourcebook
• State Framework for Evaluation and Professional Growth in the area of Planning addresses the effective use of technology.

The Technology Budget for Greene County Schools is an annual event based upon available funding.  The system looks at the following sources for funding:

• Basic Education Program Funds from the State of Tennessee provide a major part of the technology funding for Greene County Schools
• Federal Erate Funding is used for part of the technology funding for Greene County Schools.  The district technology department oversees the application process and monitors the administration of E-rate funding
• Title I provides supplemental funding for technology
• Ed Tech Funds, as well as other sources, will provide for technology-related professional development and supplements for school technology leaders
• Local businesses are encouraged each year to donate funds for projects or mini-grants and/or equipment that meet the hardware requirement within the 5 year refresh cycle
• Grants are used to seek funding for staff development and individual school projects.

Section 14:    Interoperability

Major purchases will be acquired using a competitive bid process. Purchases of software , hardware, and networking services will be supplemented using E-Rate discounts and other funding sources. These purchases will be reviewed by the technology support staff to ensure compatibility and functionality. Principal discretion will be used to provide additional phone lines or an additional technology budget using E-Rate funds received from telephone discounts. Title II Part D funds will be used to provide professional development and bonuses for school technology leaders. Schools will utilize Title II Part D funds and E-rate discounts to improve the integration of technology and improve interoperability in each school.

Section 15:    Leadership

Technology will allow administrators to gather and share current and timely information for decision-making at the school board, administration, school, and classroom levels. Technology includes the following:

• Web based searches for research and best practices used at other schools
• System provided email accounts on the system email server for all staff
• Administration will make greater use of technology to communicate information currently sent in paper format.
• Attendance and lunch forms sent using an intranet
• Memos and announcements through e-mail.

Administration will use technology for the following record-keeping purposes:

• Use of Horizon for student management
• EIS and state forms through the Internet
• EPES bookkeeping.

Greene County Schools has approved the following policies relating to use of technology:

• Use of Electronic Mail (e-mail) 1.805
• Gifts and Bequests 2.401
• Purchasing 2.805
• Bids and Quotations 2.806
• Vendor Relations 2.809
• Equipment and Supplies Management 3.300
• Use of Cellular Phones 3.3001
• Equipment and Supplies Leasing and Renting 3.301
• Use of Copyrighted Materials 4.404
• Use of the Internet 4.406
• Web Pages and Web Servers 4.407.

CIPA Compliance

A Technology Protection Measure is a specific technology that blocks or filters Internet access. It is provided by Education Networks of American, Inc. (ENA). It protects against access by adults and minors to visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography, or - with respect to use of computers with Internet access by minors - harmful to minors. It may be disabled for adults engaged in bona fide research or other lawful purposes.  The policy includes monitoring the online activities of minors.

Internet Safety Policy

The Internet Safety Policy addresses the following issues:

• access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and World Wide Web
• the safety and security of minors when using the electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications
• unauthorized access, including so-called "hacking," and other unlawful activities by minors online
• unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors
• measures designed to restrict minors' access to materials harmful to minors.

The Board shall provide reasonable public notice of, and at least one (1) public hearing or meeting, to address and communicate its internet safety measures.

Section 17:    Evaluation and Accountability

The Tennessee STaR Chart, checklists, and survey instruments will be used for evaluation and accountability. Data collections reviewed by the Technology Advisory Committee will be used to make adaptations in the following areas:

• integrating technology in the classroom
• increasing teacher effectiveness
• enabling students to reach challenging State standards.

STaR Target Area I

Objective 1
Update the technology components of curriculum mapping guides to correlate classroom use of technology with student achievement and state standards.

    Methods:
    Teachers will add or update lessons to include appropriate use of technology.

    Standards:
    At least one lesson will include the use of technology during each six weeks.

Objective 2
Develop student portfolios of problem solving projects generated through the use of instructional technology.

    Methods:
    Teachers will submit examples of exemplary student projects for display on school web pages.

    Standards:
    Student projects will involve high order thinking skills.

STaR Target Area II

Objective 1
Provide district and school listing of staff development opportunities to enhance integration of technology into the curriculum.

    Methods:
    Links from school and district web pages will direct teachers to listings of available staff development opportunities.

    Standards:
    At least one training opportunity per week will be provided in the district listings.

Objective 2
Document teacher proficiency and use of technology in the curriculum through pretest and posttest skills checklists and portfolios of technology lessons.

    Methods:
    BITS questionnaire will be administered at the beginning and end of each school year.
    Teachers will keep a portfolio of technology lessons.

    Standards:
    A graph of scores will be used to document teacher growth in the area of instructional technology.
    Exemplary technology lessons will be posted on school websites.

STaR Target Area III

Objective 1
All District staff and school personnel will use email and district / school webpages for electronic communication among district administration, staff, parents, students, and community.

    Methods:
    District and School Administrators will use voice, email and web pages for electronic communication with all instructional
    staff.

    Standards:
    All communication will employ electronic methods.

Objective 2
Principals and district staff will discuss teacher use of technology during regular monitoring activities.

    Methods:
    Questions regarding frequency and type of technology use will be a part of the observation process.

    Standards:
    All academic teachers will be expected to use instructional technology where appropriate.

STaR Target Area IV

Objective 1
Greene County Schools will maintain current funding levels and develop a plan to expand funding for additional Technology Support Teacher positions.

    Methods:
    Technology budgets will remain at 2002 levels unless funding is cut by the State of Tennessee.
    A plan will be developed to expand the number of technology support positions.

    Standards:
    2002 Budget will serve as the baseline figure for future technology budgeting.
    Additional technology support positions is the goal for the district.

Objective 2
Teachers and staff will request technical and curricular support from system technicians and Technology Support Teachers.

    Methods:
    Teachers and staff will request assistance through email, CallTrax, or other means to ensure that hardware, software and
   curricular support is readily available.

    Standards:
    24 hours response time is the goal for all support.

Objective 3
A district plan will be developed to expand available software and provide resources to establish a five-year refresh cycle for instructional technology hardware.

Section 18:    Telecommunication Assessment

The Technology Department determines telecommunication services required to optimize interoperability among schools and district offices as follows:

• Federal Erate discounts will be used for part of the technology funding for Greene County Schools, including T1 lines for 16 of the 17 Greene County schools.  The district technology department oversees the application process and monitors the administration of E-rate funding.
• The needs assessment is done in two areas: Voice (telecommunications) and Data (Internet Access). The District currently supplies basic telephone access through the use of Centrex services by Sprint and through the savings of the District Centrex Contract and E-rate, this allows schools to take their savings to fund additional voice needs that may be needed at the school level with school funds.  Data access needs will be reviewed each November with the current Internet Service Provider for the district, Education Networks of America. The district technology department will meet with an ENA representative to review current bandwidth usage and determine areas for improvement. This group will then match the needs with existing budget constraints to determine the need for upgrades or expansion that can be asked of the district as well as E-rate discount funding.

• Technology research
• Teacher surveys
• ETOTE
• Staff Skills Assessment
• Greene Bytes Annual Survey
• STaR Chart
• Pilot projects
• Technology Committee recommendations
• Parent requests
• Emerging technologies