Pennsylvania Department of Education

 





COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
333 MARKET STREET
HARRISBURG, PA 17126-0333







Educational Technology Report
Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Entity: Lackawanna Trail SD
Address: PO Box 85
Factoryville, PA 18419-0085
Phone:
Contact Name: Robert Jurbala

 

Core Purpose

Mission

The mission of the Lackawanna Trail School District, in partnership with our community, is to provide a safe and challenging learning environment where all students will develop to their fullest potential. The educational programs provided will enable students to become productive, responsible, technologically literate, contributing members of a global society who respond effectively to an ever changing world.

Vision

Each building in the Lackawanna Trail School District has a vision statement that embodies what each building believes it must do in order to accomplish the overall mission of the school district itself.  Vision statements were crafted after a review of current literature that stresses such statements should be focused, measurable, and doable.

The vision of the Lackawanna Trail Elementary Center is to provide an environment for all children that is safe, educationally progressive, and filled with experiences that will enable students to be prepared for success in secondary school as measured by state and local assessment results.

The vision of the Lackawanna Trail Junior-Senior High School is to provide an educational atmosphere where all students are safe, nurtured both academically AND socially, with access to a wide variety of challenging courses.  During their high school years, students will be able to measure their acquired knowledge by achieving proficiency on standardized, as well as teacher created, assessments because of the education they receive from a highly qualified faculty.  Upon fulfilling all graduation requirements, students will have then mastered the standards-based curriculum--making them fully prepared to enter college, post-secondary vocational school, the armed services, or the work force.  Regardless of their post secondary choice, students will graduate being technologically literate, being able to access pertinent information, and will be able to effectively collaborate with others--making them productive citizens. 

Shared Values

The purposes of schools are to:

All educators should:

All students:

All community members should:

Needs Assessment

The school district received smartboards, projectors, carts, and laptops through a grant, which we consider very beneficial in the instructional classroom setting.  This "smartroom" technology has proved to be rewarding to our students as they have become more engaged with the teacher and the lessons being taught. The teachers who have the smartroom technology available are more engaged with their students and have demonstrated a good practice of 21st century teaching skills.  As these teachers continue to keep their students excited about the lessons and classroom activities, other teachers who do not have the same technology available to them notice the difference and wish to share the same interaction among their own students.  Unfortunately the smartroom technology is only available in twelve percent of our classrooms district-wide.  We encourage our teachers to integrate technology into their classroom, but at the same time we acknowledge the resources are not always available for them to do so.  We have been moving toward the acquisition of more smartroom technology, that we feel is a great need in our district for both our students and teachers. 

We anticipate a change in the instructional strategies of our teachers as they try to integrate technology into their lessons and encourage students to become more engaged in learning.  We realize that 21st century students represent the first generations to grow up with new technology.  They are growing up in a society where computers, cell phones, video games, digital music players, and video cameras are commonplace.  These students are "native speakers" of the digital language of computers, video games, and the Internet and sometimes referred to as "Digital Natives".  One of the biggest problems that we face today in education is our students, the digital natives, are being taught by a generation that can be referred to as the digital immigrants.  We recognize that it is important to allow our students to use their technology skills to become more efficient and effective learners.  Providing technology in the classroom will enable teachers and students to share a common goal as they learn together, and close the technology gap between them.  Students will become more motivated to learn and eager to participate in instruction, when they feel that they are working with the teachers instead of for the teachers and helping the teachers to learn while learning themselves.

The Lackawanna Trail school district keeps up-to-date with new technologies by allowing administrators and faculty to attend conferences, while also communicating with peers, reading literature, and  networking with colleagues from surrounding school districts.  The technology coordinator attends technology coordinator meetings at the local Intermediate Unit to stay abreast of ongoing trends in technology, while sharing ideas with technology coordinators in nearby school districts.

The following results are from surveys completed by our teachers and students during the 2006-07 school year indicating strengths and weaknesses related to technology:

85% of our teachers believe that student achievement can increase through the use of computers.
90% of the teachers believe that student achievement can increase through the use of varied technologies.
85% are interested in professional development on the integration of technology into the curriculum.
83% of the high school students feel that they are prepared for the real world after graduation in reference to their technology skills.
87% believe that they are ready for the real world with their presentation skills.
69% believe that they are ready for the real world with their their ability to write.
66% believe that they are ready for the real world with their their ability to do mathematics.

65% of the students feel that time in class is spent listening to the teachers talk.
50% report that time in class is spent in whole class discussion.
35% report time is spent working in small groups.
52% report time is spent answering questions from a book or worksheet.
48% report time in class is spent using computers.

As a district, we would like to see more integration of technology into the classrooms.  We would also like to see more technology made available for teachers and students to access overall.  Having technology in the classrooms will enable teachers and students to work toward a common goal of 21st century learning.  Upon acquiring more technology resources in the future, our staff recognizes a great need for training on how to use the resources that will be available to them, and how they can use best practices on integrating the technology into their curriculum.

Goals and Strategies

Goal: FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATE (for districts and schools that graduate seniors)
Description: Graduate rate will meet an 80% threshold and/or show growth. This is Pennsylvania's goal for graduation rate. Lackawanna Trail School District is fortunate to attain over 80% every year. The district's goal is to have a rate that exceeds 90% or shows growth from the previous year.

Strategy: Promote Community Awareness
Description: Parents and other stakeholders become and remain involved in direct support of the district's goals.
Activities:

Activity

Description

Community Online Information

Expand the current school website to provide the community with information regarding school events, meetings, projects, and other pertinent school information.

Person Responsible

Timeline for Implementation

Resources

Ed Gaidula

Start: N/A
Finish: N/A

$0.00

 

Activity

Description

Electronic Mail Communication

Promote communication between parents and faculty via electronic mail.

Person Responsible

Timeline for Implementation

Resources

Ed Gaidula

Start: N/A
Finish: N/A

$0.00

 

Activity

Description

Maintain Open Line of Communication

Keep parents and community members aware of student progress and behavior.

Person Responsible

Timeline for Implementation

Resources

Ed Gaidula

Start: N/A
Finish: N/A

$0.00



Goal: PARTICIPATE IN WAN CONNECTING IU18, IU19, AND DISTRICT MEMBERS
Description: To join an affordable, high-quality, Wide Area Network (WAN) connecting our district to IU 18 and IU 19 and its member school districts and vocational-technical schools using high-speed broadband connections.

Strategy: Commit to Join the NEPA WAN
Description: Commit to join the Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) WAN at 100 Mbps-per district with affordable bulk Internet and Internet2 delivery.
Activities:

Activity

Description

Collaboration and Organization of the WAN

Collaborate with all consortia members and service providers in an effort to provide connectivity to all participating district members.

Person Responsible

Timeline for Implementation

Resources

Ed Gaidula

Start: N/A
Finish: N/A

$7,200.00

 

Activity

Description

Professional Development on NEPA WAN Resources

Professional development will be provided by service providers and the district and IU staff. The district technology staff will work collaboratively with the IU to oversee this effort.

Person Responsible

Timeline for Implementation

Resources

Ed Gaidula

Start: 9/8/2008
Finish: 6/1/2009

$3,000.00


Professional Development Activity Information

Number of Hours Per Session

Total Number of Sessions Per School Year

Estimated Number of Participants Per Year

3

3

15

Organization or Institution Name

Type of Provider

Provider's Department of Education Approval Status

Lackawanna Trail School District
NEIU 19
  • School Entity
  • Intermediate Unit

Approved

Knowledge and Skills

Research and Best Practices

Designed to Accomplish

Administration and technology teachers will increase their technical skills by receiving ongoing training related to the utilization of the PA Wide Area Network (WAN). The WAN allows school districts access to content resources via the Internet. Administrators and technology teachers will be able to provide necessary technical support to classroom teachers. As a result, teachers will be provided with a rich array of resources to support instruction and enhance student learning/achievement.

Technology brings rich resources, new tools, and powerful learning environments to the learning process. Students are often the earliest adopters of new technologies. Educational technology, when properly applied, provides an effective means for learning.

For classroom teachers, school counselors and education specialists:

  • Increases the educator's teaching skills based on research on effective practice, with attention given to interventions for struggling students.

For school and district administrators, and other educators seeking leadership roles:

  • Empowers leaders to create a culture of teaching and learning, with an emphasis on learning.
  • Instructs the leader in managing resources for effective results.

Educator Groups Which Will Participate in this Activity

Role

 

Subject Area
  • Classroom teachers
  • Principals / asst. principals
  • Superintendent / asst. superintendents
  • Other educational specialists

 
  • Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening
  • Science and Technology
  • Environment and Ecology
  • Mathematics

Follow-up Activities

Evaluation Methods
  • Team development and sharing of content-area lesson implementation outcomes, with involvement of administrator and/or peers

 

 

Activity

Description

Purchasing of Hardware

Purchase the hardware components necessary to implement the connectivity of Lackawanna Trail school sites to the WAN project.

Person Responsible

Timeline for Implementation

Resources

Ed Gaidula

Start: N/A
Finish: N/A

$21,000.00



Goal: STUDENT ATTENDANCE (any school that does not graduate seniors)
Description: Student attendance will meet a 90% threshold and/or show growth. This is Pennsylvania's goal for attendance. Lackawanna Trail School District attains a rate beyond 90% each year. The district's goal is 95% attendance or show growth.

Strategy: Effective Instructional Practices
Description: Lackawanna Trail will work to obtain and support the use of classroom technologies to support the cultivation of engaging learning environments.
Activities:

Activity

Description

Aquisition and Implementation of Classroom Technologies

Lackawanna Trail will work to maintain and upgrade existing computers and will evaluate the continued purchase of new classroom technologies to support teaching in the 21st century. This may include, but is not limited to mobile computer labs, PCs, LCD Projectors, Interactive White Boards (SMART, Promethean), Digital Cameras, and Digital Video Cameras.

Person Responsible

Timeline for Implementation

Resources

Ed Gaidula

Start: N/A
Finish: N/A

$0.00



Goal: STUDENTS WILL LEARN AND PRACTICE TECHNOLOGY USING 21ST CENTURY SKILLS
Description: All students will learn and practice technology skills and ethical use of technologies that will prepare them for the 21st century workplace while maintaining alignment with the PA academic standards

Strategy: Embedding 21st Century Learning Skills
Description: All students will use instructional technologies to attain concept development, higher-order thinking, critical thinking, and applied problem-solving skills.
Activities:

Activity

Description

Implement Classrooms for the Future (CFF) Grant

If (additional) Classrooms for the Future grants are obtained, science and social studies high school classrooms will be equipted with mobile wireless labs, Promethean boards, projectors, webcams, digital cameras, and digital video cameras.

Person Responsible

Timeline for Implementation

Resources

Ed Gaidula

Start: N/A
Finish: N/A

$182,000.00

 

Activity

Description

Professional Development to Support the Implementation of New Technologies

Provide professional development to promote and enhance teacher and student use of classroom technologies including, but limited to laptops, projectors, interactive white boards (SMART or Promethean), Digital Cameras and Digital Video Cameras.

Person Responsible

Timeline for Implementation

Resources

Matt Rakauskas

Start: 10/10/2008
Finish: 4/8/2011

$1,750.00


Professional Development Activity Information

Number of Hours Per Session

Total Number of Sessions Per School Year

Estimated Number of Participants Per Year

2

3

101

Organization or Institution Name

Type of Provider

Provider's Department of Education Approval Status

Lackawanna Trail School District
NEIU 19
  • School Entity

Approved

Knowledge and Skills

Research and Best Practices

Designed to Accomplish

Participants will learn to integrate technology to support instruction.

When used effectively, technology can enhance instruction and contribute to an increase in student achievement.

For classroom teachers, school counselors and education specialists:

  • Enhances the educator's content knowledge in the area of the educator's certification or assignment.
  • Increases the educator's teaching skills based on research on effective practice, with attention given to interventions for struggling students.

For school and district administrators, and other educators seeking leadership roles:

  • Provides the knowledge and skills to think and plan strategically, ensuring that assessments, curriculum, instruction, staff professional education, teaching materials and interventions for struggling students are aligned to each other as well as to Pennsylvania's academic standards.
  • Provides leaders with the ability to access and use appropriate data to inform decision-making.
  • Empowers leaders to create a culture of teaching and learning, with an emphasis on learning.
  • Instructs the leader in managing resources for effective results.

Educator Groups Which Will Participate in this Activity

Role

Grade Level

Subject Area
  • Classroom teachers
  • Early childhood (preK-grade 3)
  • Middle (grades 6-8)
  • Elementary (grades 2-5
  • High school (grades 9-12)
  • Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening
  • Science and Technology
  • Environment and Ecology
  • Mathematics

Follow-up Activities

Evaluation Methods
  • Creating lessons to meet varied student learning styles
  • Review of participant lesson plans

 

Activity

Description

Purchase New Teacher Workstations

 

Person Responsible

Timeline for Implementation

Resources

Ed Gaidula

Start: N/A
Finish: N/A

$15,000.00

 

Activity

Description

Purchase Smartboards and Projectors

Purchase smartboards and projectors for classroom teachers to promote 21st century skills. Purchase smartboards and projectors each year in preparing our classrooms for the future.

Person Responsible

Timeline for Implementation

Resources

Ed Gaidula

Start: N/A
Finish: N/A

$12,500.00

 

Activity

Description

Replace Library / Media Center Computers

Purchase a minimum of twelve new computers on a fixed cycle basis to replace and maintain the existing computers libraries at the high school and elementary center. This would be a three year rotation to keep computers up-to-date with new technology and industry standards. The high school and elementary libraries will each receive six computers, thereby enabling Internet access and making library software available for student research and group lessons.

Person Responsible

Timeline for Implementation

Resources

Ed Gaidula

Start: N/A
Finish: N/A

$12,000.00

 

Activity

Description

Upgrading and Implementing Stationary Computer Labs

Personal Computers will be purchased to reflect the continuous upgrade of computer labs located at the high school and elementary center on a four-year replacement cycle. PCs previously housed in laboratories will be used to upgrade district-wide classroom computers.

Person Responsible

Timeline for Implementation

Resources

Ed Gaidula

Start: N/A
Finish: N/A

$50,000.00



Goal: TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT
Description: Maintain and update existing and new technologies to ensure the district's existing network infrastructure is in compliance with industry standards.

Strategy: Maintain and Improve Technology Infrastructure
Description: Ensure the effective utilization of technology throughout the educational environment.
Activities:

Activity

Description

Additional Technology Support

The administration may need to review/study the need for additional technology support to assist the Technology Coordinator as a result of increasing dutes/responsibilities related to the operation and maintenance of the district-wide technology structure.

Person Responsible