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The process of technology planning involves assessing what you have, deciding what you need, and then prioritizing those needs to help guide your school.
The technology plan documents the library service strategy or the school improvement purpose of requested telecommunications services or Internet access under the Universal Service Program for Schools and Libraries. Technology planning must not be treated as a separate exercise dealing primarily with networks and telecommunication infrastructure. Approved technology plans must establish the connections between the information technology and the professional development strategies, curriculum initiatives, and library objectives that will lead to improved education and library services. ([]) (FAQs about Tech Planning)

__**Why?**__

 * E-Rate
 * Title II, Part D
 * SETTEN
 * Accountability
 * "If you don't know where you are going, you don't know when you get there" Yogi Berra

__**Technology Planning Committee**__
 * Who?
 * Blend technical with instructional
 * Suggestions - Technology director, instructional technology, curriculum directors, principals, teachers (not just technology), community members (business and parents), students

__Criteria__
The following five criteria that are core elements of successful school and library technology initiatives:
 * 1) The plan must establish **clear goals and a realistic strategy** for using telecommunications and information technology to improve education or library services;
 * 2) The plan must have a **professional development strategy** to ensure that staff know how to use these new technologies to improve education or library services;
 * 3) The plan must include an **assessment** of the telecommunication services, hardware, software, and other services that will be needed to improve education or library services;
 * 4) The plan must provide a sufficient **budget** to acquire and support the non-discounted elements of the plan: the hardware, software, professional development and other services that will be needed to implement the strategy; and
 * 5) The plan must be included and **evaluation process** that enables the school or library to monitor progress toward the specified goals and make mid-course corrections in response to new developments and opportunities and they arise. ([])

__Timeline__

 * [[file:esc5technologyplanning/TECHNOLOGY PLANNING TIMELINE-9.pdf|TECHNOLOGY PLANNING TIMELINE-9.pdf]]
 * [|USAC Deadlines]

__Creating a Technology Plan__

 * Resources
 * Prior Technology Plans
 * District Improvement Plan
 * Campus Improvement Plan
 * Technology Committee
 * [|Long Range Plan for Technology]
 * [|E-Rate Correlates]
 * [|NCLB Correlates]
 * Surveys
 * [|Survey Monkey]

__Writing a New Technology Plan__

 * [|E-Plan Site]
 * [|Introduction] - includes examples of technology hardware, infrastructure and software that is currently being implemented, and an overview about the school district. The introduction might also include a "**District Mission Statement**". This statement should include a descriptive paragraph of what a district believes is its role in pursuing its vision of education. The mission statement should be the same as or similar to the mission statement included in a school district local educational improvement plan. This is not just a mission statement about technology, but rather a broad district level statement. In addition to the components a **Vision Statement**should be included which will provide a clear, concise, and realistic statement of the future. The vision statement gives a methodology for how technology will support the school district mission. Some of the questions to consider when formulating the vision statement include the following:
 * How will technology help you to get there?
 * In what ways does technology help you accomplish your mission?
 * What does the future learning environment in your district look like?
 * [|Needs Assessment] A "needs assessment" is an evaluation of the existing environment and capabilities of an organization relative to the preferred environment and capabilities—with the difference between the existing and preferred conditions being defined as the organization's "needs."
 * [|Goals, Objectives, and Strategies]
 * Consider district and campus improvement plans
 * Strategies that have been identified to reach those goals
 * Specific telecommunications and informational technologies needed
 * Specific resources needed to reach goals
 * [|Budget]
 * Built from state, local and grant funding - includes percentages from each funding source
 * Outline expenditures in each category
 * Staff development
 * Telecommunications and internet access (SETTEN fees)
 * Materials and Supplies
 * Equipment (obsolescence plan)
 * Maintenance (licensing agreements, salaries - network, instructional)
 * Miscellaneous Expenses
 * Meet the requirements and guidelines for funding
 * 25% of Title II Part D funds must be allocated for staff development which is "ongoing and sustained"
 * 5% on evaluation
 * [|Evaluation]
 * Ongoing
 * Formative and Summative evaluations throughout
 * Methods of evaluation
 * Surveys
 * Usage Logs
 * Star Chart - teacher and campus
 * [|Appendix]
 * Acceptable Use Policies
 * Teacher Technology Proficiencies
 * Network Diagram
 * Permission to Publish Form(s)
 * Report Options
 * Graphs for NCLB, E-Rate, and LRPT correlates
 * Printing a composite plan
 * Create a View Only Password for the District

__STaR Chart - STaR Chart Resources remain the same but have been moved to Project Share__
The new website link is: [|http://starchart.epsilen.com]
 * Campus STaR Chart
 * Campus STaR Chart Training Guide
 * Teacher STaR Chart
 * Teacher STaR Chart Training Guide
 * NCLB School Administrator Proficiencies

__Children's Internet Protection Act__

 * [|CIPA]
 * [|CIPA Requirements]
 * [|Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act]
 * Online Discussion Form

__Technology Plans Links (General)__

 * [|E-Rate / NCLB Requirements Checklist]
 * [|LRPT Correlates Checklist]
 * [|E-Rate Guide and Training]
 * [|Updates]
 * [|E-Rate Eligible Services]
 * [|Network Diagram Tools]
 * [[file:esc5technologyplanning/TEMPLATE FOR WRITING PLAN.doc|TEMPLATE FOR WRITING PLAN.doc]]
 * Tech App TEKS


 * Email Addresses**
 * E Rate - erate@tea.state.tx.us-
 * Technology Planning - eplan@tea.state.tx.us
 * Texas Star Chart - starchart@tea.state.tx.us.
 * TPESC Listserv - []
 * Cathey George - cgeorge@esc12e-rate.net
 * Phone - (254) 297-2911