Summary+of+Progress

USD 325 constructed a local survey to measure progress toward District Technology Goals and Objectives. This annual survey targeted stakeholder representatives on the local technology committee. Of the 20 members, 11 (58%) responded when asked to rate progress on each objective associated with our four goals using a 1-3 scale:
 * __ District Summary of Progress __**

1= little or no progress, goal/objective not met 2= good progress, nearly met goal/objective 3= excellent progress, met or exceeded goal/objective


 * Summary of survey results on goals and Objectives (Chart and Narrative) **



Based on average ratings, our local survey measuring progress toward District Technology Goals and Objectives indicates the district was rated at “3= met or exceeded goal/objective” on objectives 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1. District progress toward objectives 1.1, 1.2, 2.1-2.4, 4.2 and 4.4 was rated at or above a “2= good progress, nearly met goal/objective.” District progress toward objectives 1.3, 1.4, 2.5, 4.3 and 4.4 was rated below 2 as having made “little or no progress, goal/objective not met.”

Ratings show that Goal 3 (infrastructure) received the strongest ratings. The next strongest performance was on Goal 2 (staff skills for integration). Performance on Goal 4 (professional development) was slightly better overall than performance on Goal 1 (powerful instruction).

These results show good progress on 11 out of 18 objectives. After review, the district is determined to retain its goals and objectives and step up to the challenge of maintaining its excellent performance ratings on Goal 3 while redoubling efforts and channeling resources necessary to raise performance on the other goals and objectives.


 * Narrative Overview of Goals, Objectives and Progress **
 * Goal **** 1: ** All students will receive instruction in technology and information literacy skills powerful enough to meet both their academic learning needs and their personal interests.

This goal and its 4 objectives are ongoing processes as evidenced through our consistently implemented curriculum review/revision process that is supported by curriculum connections to research-based standards and performance indicators including the ISTE NETS and the P21Framework developed by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills.
 * Objective 1.1 : A sequenced K-12 technology curriculum will be implemented so students demonstrate mastery of basic through complex technology and information literacy skills. (Skills will include keyboarding; digital citizenship and ethics; use of word processing; database; and graphics applications; and gathering, organizing, and evaluating information retrieved electronically.)
 * Objective 1.2: Students will complete assignments, projects, and/or units of study that allow them to demonstrate transfer and application of technology and information literacy to all areas of the curriculum.
 * Objective 1.3 : Assessment of student learning will include curriculum content indicators as well as research-based standards and performance indicators including both the National Educational Technology Standards for Students developed by the International Society for Technology in Education, and the 21st Century Skills in the P21Framework developed by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills
 * Objective 1.4: The district will conduct quantitative student technology skills assessments twice each year using one or more of these assessment tools:
 * 1) SimpleAssessment for students online assessment with pre- and post-test options all based on ISTE – NETS-S
 * 2) Atomic Learning Tech Skills Assessment online assessment based on ISTE NETS-S
 * 3) Quia surveys (Locally developed print and online surveys that may be accessed via links form our district website, email, and are available for both pick up and return at community partner locations)

Continued progress toward this goal and its objectives will be evaluated in the light of our 3 year commitment to learning that is characterized by the [|3 Rs] ([|Rigor, Relevance and Relationships]) and the [|4 Cs] (Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Creativity). Surveys have already been revamped to evaluate on these key characteristics.


 * Goal 2: ** All staff will have the skills and assistance necessary to integrate technology so that students meet high academic standards and district exit outcomes.

3. [|Quia] surveys - Locally developed print and online surveys that may be accessed via links form our district website, email, and are available for both pick up and return at community partner locations USD 325 provides staff a wide range of professional development activities and subscription based resources that allow us to meet this goal and its objectives: This goal and its objectives will continue to be a valid and critical component of our technology plan through 2015. This goal will guide our efforts to meet the changes in staff, their knowledge base, growing skill sets and experience levels while meeting the challenges inherent in changes to hardware, software, instructional strategies and the needs of our learners.
 * Objective 2.1: The district will provide quality professional development opportunities for instruction based on the annual needs assessment, best teaching practices and the research-based [|National Education Technology Standards for teachers] from ISTE
 * Objective 2.2: Teachers will develop assignments, projects, and/or units of study that allow students to demonstrate transfer and application of technology and information literacy to all areas of the curriculum. [|NETS for Students] standards and [|21st Century Skills Standards] will be part of the assessment of student performance.
 * Objective 2.3: Teachers will serve as models for becoming effective lifelong learners, meaningful communicators, problem solvers, quality contributors, and healthy citizens through personal professional development, professional learning communities, mentoring, and collaboration.
 * Objective 2.4: The district will support a culture of responsible risk-taking that promotes instructional innovation through integration of technology.
 * Objective 2.5: The district will conduct quantitative staff technology skills assessments twice each year using one or more of the following assessment tools:
 * 1) [|LoTi] - Levels of Technology Implementation Framework online assessment
 * 2) Atomic Learning Tech Skills Assessment online assessment based on [|ISTE NETS]
 * 1) Extended Apple Professional Development
 * 2) Workshops and courses offered through regional service centers
 * 3) Personalized just-in-time training, projects and self assessments via Atomic Learning, Quia, LoTi and local results based evaluations
 * 4) Group and individual training with role specific software and hardware such as PowerSchool, PowerTeacher Gradebook, Interactive Whiteboards and Response Systems, and various State Reporting Systems
 * 5) Collaborative professional learning as participants in content and subject area cadres
 * 6) Learning through observation via visits to other schools and programs (Most recent: Hesston, Inman, ElDorado)
 * 7) Mentoring and observations provided by partners in higher education institutions (Articulation Agreements, formal and informal partnerships)
 * 8) // [|MyLearningPlan] // - a single web based portal for requesting and tracking professional learning activities included in individual professional learning plans, for ongoing evaluation of those activities, and for storing evidence of instructional practices and impact on learning.
 * 9) District subscriptions to Kaned Desktop, Altech Tools, Learn 360, Atomic Learning, QuiaWeb, BAIP, Renaissance Place Learning, AIMSweb, and PALS.


 * Goal **** 3 ** : The district will provide students and staff access to network, hardware and software resources that are current, complex and powerful enough to meet learning needs

Continued progress toward this goal and its objectives is quantifiable. In the last 3 years the district has deployed two new servers, increased bandwidth from 6 mg to 20 mg and upgraded wireless access points to enable wireless networking for all its attendance and non-instructional sites. We now provide a mobile learning lab with 20 laptops for every grade level K-12.
 * Objective 3.1: The district will establish a district technology committee that includes all educational stakeholders – students, staff, parents and community and higher education members – as partners in the planning and implementation and revision of our technology plans.
 * Objective 3.2: The district will allocate financial and human resources to ensure full implementation of the technology plan. The district will replace and or upgrade hardware on an established lease or rotation basis evaluating “as needed” purchase for replacement to meet teaching/learning needs (21st Century Teaching and Learning: NETS and P21 Framework, local School Improvement goals, 3Rs and 4Cs).
 * Objective 3.3: The district will maintain the current network infrastructure and operating systems, appropriate and adequate software licensing, filtering and upgrading as the need arises through use of district, E-Rate funds for eligible services and Kaned resources where appropriate in order to support instructional integration (21st Century Teaching and Learning: NETS and P21 Framework) and meet learning needs (3Rs and 4Cs).
 * Objective 3.4: The district will review technology policies relating to Acceptable Use, Gifts and Donations, Disposal of Equipment, and sharing of directory information on an annual basis. The technology committee will make revisions and recommendation to the Board of Education for approval.

USD 325 continues to evaluate and update infrastructure (servers, switches, access points, cabling, firewalls, filtering appliances and applications, bandwidth, SAAS and other enterprise solutions) in order to meet changing instructional and learning needs.

The district will continue to review and revise policies, allocate resources, partner and participate in Kaned, e-rate and grant programs to supplement capital outlay and other budget funds in order to complete a successful high school 1 to 1 device implementation for the 2012-13 school year and a successful 1 to 1 implementation in grades 3-12 by the 2015-16 school year.


 * Goal 4: ** The district will foster and maintain partnerships in the planning and implementation of district technology.

Continued __progress__ toward this goal and its objectives will be evaluated by the annual District Technology Goals and Objectives survey supported by building level reports on the frequency and quality of community/patron events and interactions.
 * Objective 4.1: Parents, community members and higher education institution representatives will be represented on the district technology committee.
 * Objective 4.2: Parents, community and higher education institution representatives will be included in formal and/or informal assessments to establish future technology for learning and instruction that meets the needs of lifelong learners in a digital world and workforce.
 * Objective 4.3: The district will pilot open technology times for community members to use and explore district technology resources during selected school events.
 * Objective 4.4: The district will monitor community requests for facility and technology resources to determine how such use aligns with district mission.
 * Objective 4.5: The district will evaluate current methods of information sharing with parents and patrons in order to increase communication with all stakeholders.

In small rural communities these partnerships have always been and will continue to be critical to both the school and the community – relationships make a difference for our learners. This goal and its objectives will be ongoing.

USD 325 has developed and will maintain communication and partnerships with a wide variety of community and service organizations via numerous face-to-face opportunities and media channels such as text alerts, email, websites and school TV channel. Existing partnerships are built and sustained through relationships established with members of building Site Councils, district Technology Committee, area Business, Organization and Foundation collaborations (Rotary Club, Red Cross, Food Pantry, Ministerial Alliance, American Cancer Society, DARE, local historical restoration and preservation groups, Hope Foundation, Retirement Center, Long Term Care). Parent Teacher Conferences, Safe Driving and Internet safety partnerships with insurance and telecommunication companies, and sustained partnerships with education service centers, special education cooperatives and partners in higher education remain high priorities for the district.

** Narrative Overview of AYP Progress **
USD 325 designated two School Improvement Target Outcomes (now expressed as AYP): Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) is the process for making judgment as to whether or not public schools, districts, and states are reaching the annual targets to ensure that all students achieve the state's definition of proficiency by 2013-2014 **. ** The following AYP District Report Card Data and chart show that students in the district as a whole have exceeded the State Board of Education (AYP) target goals in Reading and Math, meeting our school improvement goals each of the last 4 years.
 * 1) Students will maintain or enhance reading, writing and communication skills.
 * 2) Students will maintain or enhance mathematical skills.

USD 325 AYP Report Card 2007-2008 (AYP Reading Target: 72%) USD 325 Reading Performance 94.8% (AYP Math Target: 64.6%) USD 325 Math Performance 91.4%

USD 325 AYP Report Card 2008-2009 (AYP Reading Target: 76.7%) USD 325 Reading Performance 93.2% (AYP Target: 70.5%) 325 Math 92.1%

USD 325 AYP Report Card 2009-2010 (AYP Reading Target: 81.3%) USD 325 Reading Performance 95.3% (AYP Math Target: 76.4%) USD 325 Math Performance 90.5%

USD 325 AYP Report Card 2010-2011 (pending validation) (AYP Reading Target: 86.0%) USD 325 Reading Performance 93.8% (AYP Math Target: 82.3%) USD 325 Math 90.3%