2013-2016 Technology Plan - Osceola County School District

Administrative and
Instructional Technology
The Osceola County School District is proactive and inclusive in planning
and delivering technology services to the community it serves. Both the
Information Technology and Services Department and the Media and
Instructional Technology Department make positive contributions to the
district’s goal of promoting the effective use of technology. However, the
district’s attempt to provide a technology-rich environment to all students
districtwide is hindered by an unclear replacement policy and limited
compliance with districtwide standardization guidelines. Also, the district
has not developed a strategy to maximize the allocation of technology
resources or to evaluate the success of targeted technology initiatives by
systematically analyzing district data.
Conclusion __________________________________________________
The administrative and instructional technology units of the Osceola County School District are the
Information Technology and Services Department and the Media and Instructional Technology
Department. Both departments are proactive in delivering technology services to meet district needs.
Among other accomplishments, the Information Technology and Services Department has facilitated the
district’s need for connectivity through the expansion of its computer network for email, intranet and
Internet access and information exchange. Likewise, the Media and Instructional Technology Department
provides leadership in developing and implementing integration strategies for both schools and district
curriculum units. As a result of the combined efforts of these two departments the district has acquired
resources to enhance classroom infrastructure and consistently strives to provide training and technical
support. Both make a positive contribution to the district’s goal of promoting the effective use of
technology to improve student achievement.
Two general areas of improvement are identified in this report. The district’s attempt to standardize
technology districtwide has been only moderately successful which inhibits equitable distribution of
modern equipment to Osceola students, increases technical support costs, and diminishes the district’s
ability to leverage its purchasing power. The district does not systematically analyze available data.
Analyzing available data will enable the district to develop strategies to measure the effectiveness of
technology initiatives, to maximize the allocation of limited technology resources, and to target future
initiatives. These general areas of improvement are discussed in more detail in later sections of this
report.
During the course of this review, OPPAGA identified a number of district accomplishments in the area of
administrative and instructional technology, some of which are included in Exhibit 6-1 below.
OPPAGA 6-1
2013 Educational Technology Plan 1/40 School District of Osceola County Florida