By Sue Saur EDLD 5362 Information Systems Final Project

Comal ISD is one of two school districts located in the beautiful, scenic town of New Braunfels Texas. Photograph by Sue Saur

We are known for our rivers, our antiques, and of course Schlitterbahn. Photographs by Sue Saur

New Braunfels and Comal County have experienced rapid growth over the past few decades – 1 High School 2 Middle Schools 5 Elementary Schools 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 ClipArt courtesy of Microsoft Office

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 district’s 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

Photograph by Sue Saur

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Part of the Texas’ Long Range Plan for Technology, Emphasizes Four Main Areas of Focus: ClipArt courtesy of Microsoft Office

Teaching and Learning Educator Preparation and Development Leadership, Administrative and Instructional Support Infrastructure for Technology ClipArt courtesy of Microsoft Office

Long Term Funding Priorities should emphasize: Student to Computer Ratio—ultimate goal 1:1 Technical Support 350:1 Instructional Support and Professional Development should equal 30% of Technology Budget ClipArt courtesy of Microsoft Office

Photographs by Sue Saur

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 % 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

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.

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

Photograph by Sue Saur

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 % 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 % of instructional staff will meet SBEC standards for technology literacy % of staff will be encouraged to transform educational practices to include collaborative environments and other specialized curricula. ClipArt courtesy of Microsoft Office

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

Photograph by Sue Saur

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 % of schools will utilize technology as a tool to access and maintain student records % of Instructional staff will be encouraged to utilize electronically delivered information to communicate with parents and community members, as appropriate % of support staff will streamline information-reporting and decision-making processes by utilizing electronic/digital productivity tools. ClipArt courtesy of Microsoft Office

Staff use of , 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

Photograph by Sue Saur

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 % 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.

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

Comal’s 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

By Sue Saur

Comal ISD. (2006). Comal ISD Technology Plan. New Braunfels: Comal ISD Technology Planning Committee. United States Department of Education. (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, Austin: Texas Education Agency, Instructional Materials and Educational Technology Division. ClipArt courtesy of Microsoft Office