Pennsylvania Department of Education
COMMONWEALTH
OF PENNSYLVANIA
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
333 MARKET STREET
HARRISBURG, PA 17126-0333
Educational Technology Report
Friday, April
04, 2008
Entity: Scranton SD
Address: 425 N Washington Ave
Scranton, PA 18503-1305
Phone:
Contact Name:
Core Purpose
Mission
The Scranton School District, in partnership with the entire community, enables all students to embrace diversity and achieve their full potential as they grow into responsible, productive, life long learners.
Vision
The vision of the Scranton City School District is to
continually strive to educate all students in collaboration with parents,
teachers, administrators and community members. The district continually
strives to present new and innovative course offerings and works to foster
meaningful collaborations with the business community, institutions of
higher learning and community members, to ensure that all students have
access to the resources and facilities that will provide them with an
appropriate forum for the development and demonstration of knowledge and
skills that will best address their individual needs.
The faculty and administration continually strive to maintain instructional
programs that meet and exceed the standards identified by the Pennsylvania
Academic Standards. To facilitate student learning, educators, in partnership
with families and community members, strive to meet the needs of all students.
This dedication contributes to the cultivation of an environment that shapes
the intellectual, emotional and social growth of students. It is essential that
all learners work collaboratively with others in order to gain greater
appreciation for the diverse gifts possessed by fellow human beings.
This vision includes the continued dedication to work together with parents,
families and communities to provide students with opportunities to acquire
knowledge, develop integrity, process information, think critically, work
independently, collaborate with others, and adapt to change.
Shared Values
¨ Education in a safe and motivating environment is a shared responsibility of the entire community;
¨ Academic, interpersonal, and career exploration skills are keys to success in a technological global society;
¨ Diversity is to be recognized, encouraged, and celebrated;
¨ Standards-based curriculum and instruction ensure equitable learning opportunities for all children.
Needs Assessment
The School District of the City of Scranton recognizes the utilization of technology as an essential life skill. Therefore regular assessment of both emerging technologies and existing technologies dictate short term contractual agreements between software and hardware providers as a means of staying abreast of the latest and most effective technologies available thereby enhancing the total educational experience. The annual evaluation of technology and its integration into the curriculum will remain ongoing. The emergence of lower cost, higher bandwidth technologies enhances the overall student experience through the incorporation of advanced audio/video capabilities.
Also identified by teachers as an area of need is continued support integrating technology in the curriculum. We are seeing a very positive response to the classroom coach provided through the Classrooms for the Future initiative as a front-line instructional support for teachers. We should carefully examine and evaluate that position to make an informed recommendation regarding the viability of continuing that position beyond the scope of the grant.
With the recent addition of additional desktop and laptop computers and the identified increase staffing for maintenance and support, Scranton City is in the process of expanding field technicians. In addition, the Classroom for the Future Grant is allowing Scranton City to integrate the use of 1320 new laptop computers within the instructional environment. Scranton City is working to prepare all classroom teachers for integration and creation of technology to support classroom instruction.
We
recognize the importance of maintaining awareness, across all staff, of current
and emerging trends in technology that will support teaching and
learning. With this need recognized, it is essential to encourage
best practices across all aspects of education in the district. Therefore, it
is important to develop strategies to keep people informed through professional
development, district level intranet, and technology coaches. In addition,
online tutorials are available at any time for use by teachers. These
tutorials, developed by technology coaches, address identified areas of need in
relation to technology integration.
We should encourage efforts that inform staff not only about technology but
also about best practices for effective teaching,
including differentiated instruction, grouping, project-based learning, assessment,
understanding by design, data informed instruction, and the integration of
technology to encourage student learning. The efforts of Scranton
City effectively encourages teacher acceptance of new technology.
The collaborative effort in place supports the advancement of Scranton City's
goal to expand the use of technology within all classrooms k through 12.
We recognize the need to do a better job of identifying appropriate technology
interventions by ensuring a standardized process of software selection. A
procedure is currently being developed by a software review committee.
This committee will be charged with the task of identifying, evaluating
and selecting instructional software solutions across grade levels and subject
areas. We are working to ensure that the most effective
research-proven software is utilized to best impact student achievement.
It is clear, based upon teacher needs assessment that more opportunities
for planning, training and team collaboration are necessary to support use of
technology. To accommodate this need, Scranton City has developed
online tutorials, monthly after-school professional development
programs, and teacher training through the Teacher Induction
Program.
Additionally Scranton City School District recognizes the importance of
cultivating partnerships with all stakeholders within the school
community. To encourage community partnerships, Scranton City
encourages the development of community web pages to be hosted by Scranton
City School District. Scranton City School District is working to
establish a community committee to investigate the implementation of
training, identification and selection of appropriate civic groups.
Parent involvement remains a priority for Scranton City School
District. To promote this collaboration, Scranton City School District
plans on providing parents access to student records including attendance,
grades, student work samples, and standardized test scores. The
importance of school-parent partnerships is also encouraged through the
use of electronic communication.
Finally, Scranton City will be investigating mechanisms for increasing
intra-district bandwidth through upgrades to the Wide-Local Area Network
(WLAN). Scranton City School District has determined needed
improvements and is working to procure bids to facilitate completion of
this project.
Goals and Strategies
Goal: FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATE (for
districts and schools that graduate seniors)
Description: The percentage of students who graduate from Scranton High
School and West Scranton High School in four years will increase 1% per year.
Strategy: Additional Educational Opportunities
Description: Additional learning opportunities will be provided for
students who are not proficient on PSSA tests and/or are failing a class that
will keep them from graduating on time.
Activities:
|
Activity |
Description |
|
|
Tutoring |
Before, during and after school tutoring will be offered to students who are not proficient on the PSSA and/or are failing a subject necessary for graduation. |
|
|
Person Responsible |
Timeline for Implementation |
Resources |
|
District Administrators |
Start: N/A |
$452,000.00 |
Goal: Improving Community Relations
Description: Scranton City School District strives to maintain active
communication regarding district and school based events.
Strategy: Telephone Notification System
Description: District has subscribed to a telephone communication
service to facilitate district wide and building specific communication system.
This system will be utilized to keep all stakeholders apprised as to upcoming
school and district events that relate to student learning and development.
Activities:
|
Activity |
Description |
|
|
Parent Notification System |
Through the Global Connect communication systems, principals and administrators have the capability of notifying all parents of upcoming activities, report card distribution, snow delays and cancellations, exam scheduled and additional school and district events. This communication system enables district administrators to simultaneously communicate critical messages to all parents virtually immediately. |
|
|
Person Responsible |
Timeline for Implementation |
Resources |
|
William King |
Start: N/A |
$20,000.00 |
Goal: MATHEMATICS
Description: At least 56% of all students will be proficient in
Mathematics, as measured by the annual state-wide PSSA assessments.
Strategy: 4Sight assessment test
Description: 4Sight is one of our progress monitoring tools used in
grades three through eleven. It will be administered at least four times per
year, this includes baseline testing. The results are used to monitor student
progress towards proficiency on the PA Mathematics Standards. Teachers will
develop class level strategies based on 4Sight results. All data and plans will
be submitted to the building and district administrators.
Activities:
|
Activity |
Description |
|
|
Implementing benchmark assessments |
4sight tests will be administered as four times throughout the school year in grades 3 through 11. Teachers will evaluate student achievement data through use of the 4Sight member center. This evaluation of data will take place during two-district wide early dismissals and two Act 80 days. Following data analysis, teacher will develop student and class-wide action plans to address areas needing improvement. |
|
|
Person Responsible |
Timeline for Implementation |
Resources |
|
District Administrators |
Start: 9/10/2007 |
$42,000.00 |
Strategy: Additional Educational Opportunities
Description: Additional learning opportunities will be provided for
students who are not proficient on PSSA tests and/or are failing a class that
will keep them from graduating on time.
Activities:
|
Activity |
Description |
|
|
Tutoring |
Before, during and after school will be provided for students who were not proficient on the PSSA and/or who are failing a math class needed for graduation. |
|
|
Person Responsible |
Timeline for Implementation |
Resources |
|
District Administrators |
Start: N/A |
$453,500.00 |
Strategy: Differentiated Instruction
Description: Differentiated instruction will be used in lesson planning
to address individual student needs.
Activities:
|
Activity |
Description |
|
|
Identification and Implementation of Technology |
Scranton City School District will continually identify and implement technologies that support teachers and increase achievement for students. |
|
|
Person Responsible |
Timeline for Implementation |
Resources |
|
District Administrators |
Start: N/A |
$453,600.00 |
|
Activity |
Description |
|
|
Plato Math Software |
Math software will be used to assess each student's ability and provide practice for continuous improvement |
|
|
Person Responsible |
Timeline for Implementation |
Resources |
|
District Administrators |
Start: N/A |
$55,000.00 |
Goal: READING
Description: At least 63% of all students will be proficient in Reading,
as measured by the annual state-wide PSSA assessments.
Strategy: 4sight Assessment test
Description: 4Sight is one of our progress monitoring tools used in
grades three through eleven. It will be administered at least four times per
year, this includes baseline testing. The results are used to monitor student
progress towards proficiency on the PA Mathematics Standards. Teachers will
develop class level strategies based on 4Sight results. All data and plans will
be submitted to the building and district administrators.
Activities:
|
Activity |
Description |
|
|
Implementing checkpoint assessments |
4sight tests will be administered as four times throughout the school year in grades 3 through 11. Teachers will evaluate student achievement data through use of the 4Sight member center. This evaluation of data will take place during two-district wide early dismissals and two Act 80 days. Following data analysis, teacher will develop student and class-wide action plans to address areas needing improvement. |
|
|
Person Responsible |
Timeline for Implementation |
Resources |
|
District Administrators |
Start: 7/1/2007 |
$0.00 |
|
|
||
|
Number of Hours Per Session |
Total Number of Sessions Per School Year |
Estimated Number of Participants Per Year |
|
5 |
4 |
550 |
|
Organization or Institution Name |
Type of Provider |
Provider's Department of Education Approval Status |
|
Scranton City School District |
|
Not approved |
|
Knowledge and Skills |
Research and Best Practices |
Designed to Accomplish |
|
|
|
|
|
Follow-up Activities |
Evaluation Methods |
|
|
|
|
|
Strategy: Additional Educational Opportunities
Description: Additional learning opportunities will be provided for
students who are not proficient on PSSA tests and/or are failing a class that
will keep them from graduating on time.
Activities:
|
Activity |
Description |
|
|
Tutoring |
Before, during and after school tutoring will be provided for students who are not proficient on the PSSA and/or need a passing grade in an English class to graduate on time. |
|
|
Person Responsible |
Timeline for Implementation |
Resources |
|
District Administrators |
Start: N/A |
$0.00 |
Strategy: Differentiated Instruction
Description: Differentiated instruction will be used in lesson planning
to address individual student needs.
Activities:
|
Activity |
Description |
|
|
Accelerated Reader |
Accelerated Reader will be used to increase fluency and comprehension. |
|
|
Person Responsible |
Timeline for Implementation |
Resources |
|
District Administrators |
Start: N/A |
$45,000.00 |
|
Activity |
Description |
|
|
Identification and Implementation of Technology |
Scranton City School District will continually identify and implement technologies that support teachers and increase achievement for students. |
|
|
Person Responsible |
Timeline for Implementation |
Resources |
|
District Administrators |
Start: N/A |
$360,000.00 |
|
Activity |
Description |
|
|
Plato Reading Software |
Reading software will be used to assess each student's ability and provide practice for continuous improvement |
|
|
Person Responsible |
Timeline for Implementation |
Resources |
|
District Administrators |
Start: N/A |
$55,000.00 |
Goal: TECHNOLOGY
Description: Scranton City School District is committed to maintaining
21st century technology hardware for use within the district.
Strategy: Technology Infrastructure
Description: Scranton has developed a program to update and enhance
technology within the district.
Activities:
|
Activity |
Description |
|
|
Bandwidth |
Scranton City School District will be increasing LAN Bandwidth to better accomodate the continually expanding addition of technology throughout the district. |
|
|
Person Responsible |
Timeline for Implementation |
Resources |
|
William King |
Start: 7/1/2008 |
$896,000.00 |
|
Activity |
Description |
|
|
DELL Leasing Program |
Scranton City has entered into a lease program with DELL to upgrade technology. |
|
|
Person Responsible |
Timeline for Implementation |
Resources |
|
William King |
Start: N/A |
$896,000.00 |
Staff Development
Professional development is considered an intricate component of the student learning experience. Administrators, teachers and support staff command regularly scheduled training sessions and appropriate support materials in order to successfully implement an effective student learning objective. Integration of technology into the class room experience and student life in general is dependent upon the following criteria:
- Regular and systematic scheduled training sessions of administrators, teachers and support personnel
- Educational training sessions, workshops and in-services are targeted at and developed from curriculum specific objectives and requirements
- Developmental sessions contribute to "Hands On" experience regarding technology and additionally serve to introduce new technology to administrators, teachers and support personnel
- Administrators, teachers and staff personnel are provided with technology training which encourages them to progress from functional computer users to to those with advanced levels of proficiency
- Administrators, teachers and staff personnel are kept aware of support staff and resource availability.
- Training sessions, teacher in-service meetings and workshops are supplemented with lesson modeling, various examples of classroom activities, and classroom management techniques.
- Computer users are strongly encouraged to maintain regular communications with similar situation computer users to reenforce training sessions and workshops. The sharing of knowledge and expertise strengthens overall performance and assists in the development of a strong working relationship.
- Training sessions, in-service meetings and workshops are conducted by more advanced computer users within their respective fields of proficiency whenever possible. Out side providers of both hardware and software applications will provide multiple levels of training when in-house proficiency levels necessitate and whenever proprietary hardware/software applications are acquired and installed.
- Local/regional colleges and universities are occasionally contracted to provide advanced levels of training specific to the needs assesment of all personnel.
- Administrators, teachers and staff personnel are encouraged active participation in all training sessions whenever possible. Incentive solutions may consist of college credit, Act 48 credit hours , additional compensation and personal enrichment.
- Administrators, teachers and staff personnel seeking more advanced levels of training not presently available to from within the system are often extended the oppurtunity to attend out of District conferences and seminars.
- Specific Federal/State grants, General fund line items and capitol improvement funds are commonly used as funding sources to conduct various levels of training.
On-Line Tutorials
Monthly Act 48 Professional Development
Teacher Induction Program
Building Level Professional Development
Budget
Summary: Potential Funding Distribution
|
Funding Source |
2008-2009 |
2009-2010 |
2010-2011 |
Total |
|
010 - ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGET |
$526,500.00 |
$256,000.00 |
$256,000.00 |
$1,038,500.00 |
|
201 - Basic Education |
$202,600.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$202,600.00 |
|
211 - Tutoring |
$401,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$401,000.00 |
|
390 - EXTRA GRANTS |
$982,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$982,000.00 |
|
421 - NCLB - Title II, Part A - Includes Improving Teacher Quality, Eisenhower Professional Development, Class Size Reduction |
$60,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$60,000.00 |
|
eRATE |
$256,000.00 |
$256,000.00 |
$256,000.00 |
$768,000.00 |
|
TOTAL |
$2,428,100.00 |
$512,000.00 |
$512,000.00 |
$3,452,100.00 |
|
Goal: FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATE (for districts and
schools that graduate seniors) |
|||||
|
Additional Educational Opportunities |
2008-2009 |
2009-2010 |
2010-2011 |
Total |
Funding Source |
|
Tutoring |
$45,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$45,000.00 |
211 - Tutoring (Secondary) |
|
Tutoring |
$125,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$125,000.00 |
211 - Tutoring |
|
Tutoring |
$182,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$182,000.00 |
390 - EXTRA GRANTS |
|
Tutoring |
$100,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$100,000.00 |
390 - EXTRA GRANTS (Secondary) |
|
|
|||||
|
GRAND TOTAL |
$452,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$452,000.00 |
|
|
|
|||||
|
Goal: MATHEMATICS |
|||||
|
4Sight assessment test |
2008-2009 |
2009-2010 |
2010-2011 |
Total |
Funding Source |
|
Implementing benchmark assessments |
$21,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$21,000.00 |
211 - Tutoring |
|
Implementing benchmark assessments |
$21,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$21,000.00 |
010 - ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGET (Secondary) |
|
|
|||||
|
Additional Educational Opportunities |
2008-2009 |
2009-2010 |
2010-2011 |
Total |
Funding Source |
|
Tutoring |
$1,500.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$1,500.00 |
201 - Basic Education (Secondary) |
|
Tutoring |
$125,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$125,000.00 |
211 - Tutoring |
|
Tutoring |
$182,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$182,000.00 |
010 - ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGET |
|
Tutoring |
$45,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$45,000.00 |
211 - Tutoring (Secondary) |
|
Tutoring |
$100,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$100,000.00 |
390 - EXTRA GRANTS (Secondary) |
|
|
|||||
|
Differentiated Instruction |
2008-2009 |
2009-2010 |
2010-2011 |
Total |
Funding Source |
|
Identification and Implementation of Technology |
$300,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$300,000.00 |
390 - EXTRA GRANTS (Secondary) |
|
Identification and Implementation of Technology |
$153,600.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$153,600.00 |
201 - Basic Education (Secondary) |
|
Plato Math Software |
$40,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$40,000.00 |
211 - Tutoring (Secondary) |
|
Plato Math Software |
$15,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$15,000.00 |
201 - Basic Education |
|
|
|||||
|
GRAND TOTAL |
$1,456,100.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$1,456,100.00 |
|
|
|
|||||
|
Goal: READING |
|||||
|
Differentiated Instruction |
2008-2009 |
2009-2010 |
2010-2011 |
Total |
Funding Source |
|
Accelerated Reader |
|||||