Blackfoot School District
HOMEPAGE

Over the past five years Blackfoot School District has placed a stronger emphasis on the integration of technology into the classroom to positively impact student achievement. Assistance from the Idaho State Department of Education in conjunction with Federal and a variety of grant initiatives (Technology Innovation Challenge Grant, Technology Literacy Challenge Fund, Albertsons Waterford Initiative and ICTL Funds) have enabled the district to move toward implementation of the District's Technology Plan.

The Blackfoot School District Technology Plan is based upon a comprehensive needs analysis that addresses student needs, teacher needs, curriculum integration, and the availability of technology to accomplish stated goals.

Technology Action Plan

In an effort to positively impact student achievement by leveraging the potential of technology, a three-year, educationally driven plan has been developed with both intermediate and long term goals established. Based on research in educational technology, the plan addresses the need to consider professional development, the availability of technology and curriculum integration. The anticipated academic outcomes are based on a district academic audit, teacher and administrative perceived needs, academic testing and performance indicators, and parental input. The identified academic areas of focus are language arts and math. It is recognized that various elements must be in place to achieve the desired outcome of increased student achievement. These elements include:

Professional Development
Assisting teachers to gain the necessary skills to optimize technology. The effective implementation of technology in the classroom requires not only the technical skills to operate the technology, but changes in classroom management and organization must also take place. This requires an investment in time and training (Idaho State Goals 1, and 3). In the process, teachers will move toward the State requirements for technology certification.

Administrative training which promotes the effective integration, evaluation and administrative uses of technology (Idaho State Goals 1, 2 and 3).

Availability of Technology
Provide teachers and administrators with the tools to be successful. To attain this goal, a three-year plan has been developed which places computers in the classrooms in accordance with the State suggested ratio and research of 5 computers per classroom (State Goal 2, 5 and 1). In order to impact student achievements they must have access and adequate time on task. It is not fiscally possible to equip all classrooms at one time therefore a staggered schedule which enables the disbursement of computers by grade level starting at the third grade and progressing through the twelfth grade has been established. This promotes adequate access to enable time on task and the ability to train teachers on a district-wide basis by grade level to have the skills and knowledge to benefit from technology. It is the individual school's responsibility to provide printers, consumables and Internet access at the classroom level through the use of building funds. Internet connectivity is available to academic classrooms in all buildings except the sixth grade center where there is currently a lab online and it is anticipated that individual rooms will be connected by the end of the 1998-1999 school year. Building maintenance will provide the remodeling, upkeep or physical requirements to accommodate the acquisition and maintenance of technology.

Provide technical support structures minimizing frustration and promoting effective use. The District is expanding their support through the use of in- district support and student training (State Goals 2, 5,7 and 8).

Curriculum Integration
Purchase and implementation of well researched software addressing the identified academic outcomes (State Goals 1, and 4). Supportive training which promotes the effective use will be provided.

National Standards for Technology in Teacher Preparation have been used as a guideline in developing effective staff development. Involvement of teachers in the integration of technology into the classroom frequently involves incentives. The District is providing inservice aimed at using technology effectively to enhance academic achievement and promote the effective administration of schools at no cost to participants. Necessary tools to be successful, (training, software and equipment) will be made available. In addition, release time is available for a wide variety of training opportunities.