When reading over my district’s most recent technology plan, I discovered how dedicated it has pledged to be in providing equitable technological access, as well as ensuring the academic growth and technology literacy of students. This thorough description of Mansfield ISD’s commitment to technological advancement outlined strategies that include, but are not limited to, developing technology outlets for Gifted/Talented and SpEd students, providing convenient and valuable distance learning outlets as well as professional development opportunities that include online webinars, developing explicit administrative leadership groups responsible for monitoring successful implementation, and sealing infrastructure by synchronizing campus technology plans across the district.
Professional development is ongoing and diverse. In MISD, through Eduphoria, teachers have the ability to view upcoming professional development opportunities that are under the leadership of the district’s Chief Technology Officer. A district technology coordinator is responsible for sending out email alerts to faculty and staff regarding the progress of technology and new implementation strategies or opportunities
To ensure student learning, hardware, software, telecommunications services and more are assessed by District-wide low student / technology ratios that meet or exceed minimum operating standards. Although the district is adamant about its “conservative” spending habits, the budget plan does call for the use of E-rate discounts to improve equitable network and internet access for students. The evaluation process outlined for each area of implementation is preventative, and specific in what results should arise to indicate successful integration. For example, data scores that reflect the student ratio of improvement, classroom assessment results, faculty self-evaluations, and administrative walk-through evaluations are just a few of the methods that define the process of monitoring technology progress.
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