Lynn Schools OK new tech master plan

LYNN-The School Committee approved an updated district technology master plan earlier this month, setting the district’s goals for school technology integration for the next three years.The Department of Education (DOE) requires each school district submit a technology master plan every few years, detailing how it plans to follow DOE benchmarks in technology integration.The DOE’s benchmarks are based on the ever-changing technology industry, which forces new professional development and technology integration in the schools on a yearly basis. Those benchmarks require each district commit to a clear vision and technology mission statement, technology integration and literacy for both faculty and students, professional development, improved accessibility and the inclusion of new methods in e-learning and communication.Working with a 16-person planning team that includes Superintendent Nicholas Kostan, the district completed the revised plan this month, and it has been approved both by the School Committee and DOE.”We have had one of these for several years now, but it expired last year so we had to revise it. (The DOE) requires us to update it every few years,” said Kostan. “We formed a committee and took a look at the old plan, then we tweaked it and brought it up to date.”The comprehensive 50-page plan covers every element of the district’s use of technology from teacher professional development to the appearance of the district Web site, but a consistent theme throughout remains the ability to secure funding for these efforts.Among the areas suffering due to lack of funding is staffing within the technology department, specifically the position of technology director, which the district plan states is “on hold due to serious financial crisis.” Most other areas are also contingent on funding, with the purchase and upgrade of hardware and software posing a particularly tricky situation when trying to get all of the schools up to date.”The plan covers what we hope to do over then next three, four, five years,” said Kostan. “But everything is based on our ability to finance.”The plan outlines several infrastructure and hardware upgrades, including a plan to install fiber optic cables and associated networking from the city’s central data center to all of its secondary schools.This upgrade will speed up the Internet connection, and allow for a higher bandwidth within the school network. The city also plans to follow at other schools, again contingent on funding.The district has several upgrades and improvements to make soon within individual schools, as 14 of the 23 elementary schools are not yet connected to a wireless or fiber optic network. In addition, only 12 schools currently feature IP telephony paging, bells and emergency response equipment.The district plans to have all schools completed with this technology, along with new school security measures such as security badges and video door access by 2010.While installing the hardware in the schools is one challenge, teaching the staff how to use it is another. According to the district plan, all school staff will be trained in accessing and utilizing data by 2010, while continuing to implement the use of computers and Smart Boards in the classroom where available.By 2010, the district expects to equip every classroom with five student and one teacher Internet connection, along with additional electrical outlets and other hardware necessities.According to data provided by the district, only 16.5 percent of educators in the city are working at an “advanced” skill level when it comes to knowledge and integration of technology. The bulk of the staff, 68.5 percent, is considered in the “early technology” skill level, while 10.5 percent are “developing technology,” and 5.5 percent are “proficient.”The district also set goals to continue working technology, specifically computer hardware and software courses into the curriculum each year as newer equipment becomes available.Aside f