2013-2016 Technology Plan - Osceola County School District

Administrative and Instructional Technology
Exhibit 6-1
Notable Accomplishments in the Last Three Years
• The Osceola County School District’s Five-Year Educational Technology Plan was developed with a clear
mission in mind: “To promote the effective use of technology to improve student achievement” and to
“provide a technology-rich environment as a key to relevant education ensuring that all students become
lifelong learners.” The district solicits input from not only educators and administrators but also from
parents, business partners and other concerned members of the community.
• The district has successfully pursued additional technology funding through available grants. In the last
three years, the district has been awarded $3.7 million for technology proposals it has submitted. These
include Technology Literacy Challenge Funds, E-rate and other grants, including a Wireless Technology
Training program grant.
• In October 2001, the district launched its professional development intranet application. This application
allows employees to preview and register for scheduled training events on-line, review their individual
training history, and schedule workshops of their own. The application interfaces with the email system for
approval of participation in and acceptance of workshop registration. Interviews with staff indicate that the
system is very much appreciated for the amount of information it provides, its ease of use and for the
improved accessibility to professional development opportunities provided.
• The Media and Instructional Technology Department supports the district’s effort to integrate technology
into the daily lives of educators, students and parents. In the last three years, the department has worked
closely with the Information and Technology Services Department to provide training and support for
programs such as Pinnacle Gradebook, Homework web page, Access Osceola, and an on-line web based
technology-training programs.
• The Technology and Information Services Department, in partnership with ESE Department, developed a
computerized browser-based application that enables Resource Compliance Specialists and ESE teachers to
manage student ESE information via electronic forms. The system has improved ESE processes by
allowing authorized users to share data, submit requests, enter and validate basic information and the system
automatically notifies users when responses are required. Users are very pleased with the improved access,
readability, accuracy, and ease of use.
• In 1996, the district made the decision to update its administrative systems with an IBM AS 400 system
running the Total Educational Resource Management System (TERMS) Financial and Student Information
modules. Through the cooperative efforts of the Information and Technology Services and the Business and
Fiscal Services departments, the functionality of the system has been successfully implemented and
continues to expand.
Source: Osceola County School District, March 2002.
Overview of Chapter Findings __________________________
The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) reviewed the
district’s administrative and instructional technology using the Best Financial Management Practices
(BFMP) adopted by the Commissioner of Education. OPPAGA employed several methodologies to
develop chapter conclusions and action plans. Initially OPPAGA conducted a preliminary assessment of
the BFMPs by surveying district level managers. Participants in the preliminary assessment included the
deputy superintendent for School Operations and Human Resources, the director of Media and
Instructional Technology, the director of Information Technology Services, the director of Professional
Development and the coordinator of Accounting and Audit. OPPAGA also conducted a series of on-site
interviews with district-level managers, school administrators, educators and technical support specialists
gathering information describing their policies and procedures and collected other information pertaining
to the best practice indicators.
6-2 OPPAGA
2013 Educational Technology Plan 2/40 School District of Osceola County Florida