Allison Hedden, Autumn Roberts, and Andrea Shelnutt FRIT 8132 Spring 2012 Technology Plan Evaluation Introduction

Frederica Academy is a coeducational, nondenominational, independent, college preparatory day school offering the highest quality education for students of all races, creeds, and nationalities. The mission of Frederica Academy is to prepare students who are of average or above average ability and who aspire to a higher education to realize their potential and to respond to the expectations of a democratic society. Each student is viewed as unique so that special qualities may be recognized and developed. The school fosters an atmosphere where high moral standards of conduct within the Judeo-Christian tradition are practiced, and there is a stated honor code. Support from parents and the community is actively sought in maintaining these high moral and academic standards throughout the learning process and in the learning environment. The school aspires to provide those resources of faculty, curriculum, and environment which best enhance student opportunity for intellectual, physical, moral, social, and aesthetic development. Frederica Academy prepares its students to be self-reliant, active learners and responsible citizens who pursue excellence in all endeavors. Frederica Academys Mission Statement: To maximize each students potential and prepare him/her for college and adult life through the development of mind, body, and spirit. The technology plan was initially created in the Fall of 2011 by the schools Technology Coordinator. It is considered to be a work in process and will be published for all to view for the upcoming school year. She welcomes the feedback and insight resulting from this assignment.

Evaluation of Rubric Components Mission Statement: The Mission Statement portion of the technology plan receives a score of 3. The plan clearly indicates technological involvement for all faculty, staff, and students in regard to students learning outcomes, aiding them in becoming effective problem solvers, communicators of their ideas, and responsible collaborators in their world. Specific steps are outlined for both students and teachers to achieve learning outcomes through the use of technology resources. The Technology Mission Statement also aligns with the overall Mission Statement for the school. Vision Statements: The Vision Statement portion of the technology plan receives a score of 2. This section identifies advancement opportunities for both students and teachers, but fails to align the vision to learning outcomes for the students. Suggestions in regard to how the identified items will enhance the learning process need to be elaborated. Goals and Outcomes: The Goals and Outcomes portion of the technology plan receives a score of 3. Included goals are right on target to earn full marks, and program Outcomes can be found under the Assessment of Current Services- Technology Program heading. Objectives are included that identify a realistic strategy for technology to support learning outcomes school-wide. Assessment of Technology Program:

Allison Hedden, Autumn Roberts, and Andrea Shelnutt FRIT 8132 Spring 2012 Technology Plan Evaluation The Assessment of Technology Program portion of the technology plan receives a score of 3. The plan has procedures in place to evaluate the progress made toward the technology initiatives and goals of the school. Both the technology committee and the leadership committee work together in order to determine the effectiveness of the technology plan. In addition, community partners and parents are encouraged to contribute comments and suggestions at school council meetings. Professional Development: Based on the criteria of the rubric, the Professional Development section receives a score of 2. While professional development is addressed and several topics for trainings are suggested, little detail is presented within the technology plan. Specific strategies to implement professional development need to be given. A procedure to evaluate teacher learning and performance needs to be developed and included in the plan. Budget: The Budget portion of this technology program earns a score of 3. This section describes that the amount that the general school budget allocates for technology must be increased within the years to come in order to support existing technology. While this meets the criteria of the scoring rubric, it would also be helpful to contain information about additional funding sources if the general budget does not allow for an increase. Very specific areas of funding needs are listed, including: computer replacement, technology staff salaries, network upgrades, professional development, and additional software resources. Ongoing Evaluation: While a specific section including evaluation of the schools implementation of the technology plans initiatives, no part of the plan includes evaluation of the plan itself. Therefore, in this section of the rubric, the technology plan receives a score of 1. In order to gain a score of 3, the plan must include procedures for continual evaluation of the technology plan based on effectiveness. A timeline for future evaluations must be provided. Acceptable Use Policy for Teachers: According to the rubric, this technology plan receives a 2 for its acceptable use policy for teachers. The rubric states that in order to get a 3 the plan must have acceptable use policies in place for both Internet and various technology resources. This plan includes policies for the Internet; however, it does not include policies for technology resources. In effort to earn a 3 the plan should be rewritten to include policies set in place for technology resources. Examples include policies regarding equipment, software programs, and electronic peripherals. Acceptable Use Policy for Students: The rubric reveals that this technology plans receives a 2 for its acceptable use policy for students. In order to get a 3 the plan must include acceptable use policies for both Internet and various technology resources. This plan includes policies for the Internet as well; however, it does not include policies for technology resources. To earn maximum points, one must rewrite the technology plan to include policies set in place for technology resources. Examples include policies regarding students using and handling equipment, software, and electronic peripherals.

Forms of Communication and Marketing:

Allison Hedden, Autumn Roberts, and Andrea Shelnutt FRIT 8132 Spring 2012 Technology Plan Evaluation Based on evaluation of the technology plan and rubric, this plan receives a 2 for the forms of communication and marketing component. It includes a list of committees that will be developing and overseeing the progression of the plan; however, it is not a detailed list nor does it include sufficient, detailed strategies to do so. Due to it include some but not all of the requirements to earn a 3, one must simply reword the forms of communication and marketing section by adding details include who and how. Assessment of Infrastructure, Software, and Technology Resources: According to the rubric, the technology plan receives a 3 for the assessment of infrastructure, software, and technology resources component. It receives a 3 because it includes detailed infrastructure information regarding the Internet and networking, and it includes information on software or technology resources. It is possible to include more detailed software descriptions. Information found under technology program heading. Clarity of Writing: The overall quality of the writing in the technology plan is excellent. It is written in a very clear, easy to read way, while still presenting the professional image of the school. There are no errors in spelling, grammar, or sentence structure. For this portion of the rubric, the technology plan deserves a 3. Summary of Findings: Overall, the evaluation of this institutions technology plan proves that the school has a wellestablished technology plan already in place. Based on the technology plan rubric, we have concluded that this school received a 1 in one area only, Ongoing Evaluation. This technology plan establishes a solid foundation but includes also includes room for improvement. According to the rubric, this educational institution can improve its vision statement, professional development methods, acceptable use policy for students and teachers, and forms of communication and marketing. The technology plan should modify its vision statement by including learning outcomes for students. In addition, the plan should contain strategies to implement professional development. The acceptable use policies for both students and teachers should include polices for technology resources as well. Concerning communication and marketing, the plan should have more details regarding whom will progress the plan and how the institution will do so. This institutions technology plan is strong. The plan meets standards based on the following components: mission statement goals and outcomes; assessment of technology program; budget; assessment of infrastructure software, and technology resources; and clarity of writing. This institution being a private school does not receive state funding; thus, having such a technological advanced plan is impressive. The unique situation regarding this institution and its plan is simply it being a private school. This means that funding and technology may be more limited, in addition to having fewer staff members and less students than most public institutions. However, it seems that Frederica Academy places great emphasis on technology and its impact within the classroom. By adding details, Frederica Academys technology plan will meet and surpass standards based on this rubric. Its mission and vision are extraordinary for students and faculty. Through development and continuous evaluation, this schools technology plan will help prepare students for a successful future by aligning the implementation of technology in support of learning outcomes school-wide.

Allison Hedden, Autumn Roberts, and Andrea Shelnutt FRIT 8132 Spring 2012 Technology Plan Evaluation