Technology Plans for Private Schools

Objectives

• At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to answer the following questions:

• What are the necessary components of an effective private school technology plan?

• How do I begin the creation and/or implementation of an effective plan?

• Why spend all this time on a plan?

What is an Effective Plan?

• Measurable: Metrics must be defined and measured on a regular basis

• Empowers all stakeholders: Students, Parents/Guardians, Faculty, Staff, Administration, Volunteers, and Donors

• Driven by organizational (educational) requirements, not technological requirements

5 Components

• Organizational Impact• Technology Assessment• Professional Development• Evaluation Strategies• Budget

Organizational Impact

• List the Vision and Mission Statements of the organization

• Provide clear examples of how technology will be used to further the mission of the organization

• Define measurable results that will be tracked

Technology Assessment

• Complete list of all hardware and software• Analyze effectiveness of systems in relation to

industry standard best practices• Consider using outside vendor to perform

assessment (Cisco funding available)• Initial assessment should include Gap Analysis

Professional Development

• Train the Trainer Model• Offer and promote training programs

facilitated by vendor resources, expert peers, and volunteers

• Provide opportunities (and funding) to attend conferences and visit model classrooms to keep abreast of current trends and best practices in technology

Evaluation Strategies

• Define metrics• Measure multiple times a year• Possible assessment tools: Finished projects,

classroom rubrics (scope and sequence), standardized test scores, classroom assessments (administration or senior faculty in-class observations)

Budget

• “Total IT Spend”• Hardware – Refurbed gear is a lifesaver• Software – Techsoup and other programs• Salaries – Fully weighted• Telecommunications – All internet and phone• Service and support – All vendors• Supplies – Paper, toner, cables, mice, etc.

Budget Example 1Item Cost

Salaries $51,000

Internet 2400

Telecom 4392

Phones 3310

Blackboard Connect 2084

Parish Soft General Ledger 800

Blackbaud (subscription) 7902

Vanco (eft contributions) 2100

Discovery Education (web subscription) 2570

Budget Example 2Item Cost

Discovery Education (annual science subscription) 1881

Renaissance Learning (Progress monitoring tool) 1760

Enchanted Learning (annual web subscription) 125

Follett Software (library annual catalogue) 450

NWEA MAP (license) 5563

PSAS (annual fee) 150

Ricoh IKON copy machine (lease cost - c & s) 5004

Cannon IV (printing charges) 7300

ALEX Math Licenses 9113

Budget Example 3Item Cost

Copy paper 5092

Bankcard Processing Fees 1380

BBMS Processing Fees 3800

FACTS Processing Fees 2600

NPM 125

CVLI 250

Total Annual Costs $121,151

Getting Started

• Gather stakeholders• Pick a Champion• Do lots of research• Document, document, document

Potential Pitfalls

• Penny wise and pound foolish• IT Committees• Corporate Technology

Effectiveness

• Students improve assessment scores and are better prepared for the digital world

• Parents/Guardians are connected/involved• Faculty are energized• Staff increase efficiency• Volunteer hours provide greater value• Donors give more