District Technology Plan

According to the http://tpesc.esc12.net, Karnack ISD did not have a completed technology plan. There does not appear to have been a technology plan in place in last several years.

• What professional development opportunities are available, who is in charge of coordinating the professional development opportunities and are there the financial and time resources to ensure staff is kept up to date in learning about new technologies. All teachers have access to professional development opportunities, either through TEA conferences, Region workshops at the Service Center or through online web training. Karnack is a part of multiple coops through the Region Service Center which makes it possible for Teachers to go through professional development at little to no cost to the district. The school also makes use of the Perkins Grant to assist in paying for Conferences through TEA. Our Principal is in charge of approving professional development opportunities, while the teachers are responsible for keeping up on any current or new workshops and/or conferences which could be of a benefit to each individual teacher. 

• How are the telecommunication services, hardware, software and other services assessed to ensure improved student learning.  Is there sufficient budget to acquire and support the non-discount element of the plan? The telecommunication services, hardware, software and other services are assessed through an off-site technology representative. The district has a contract with an off-site company which is responsible for maintaining and assessing any and all technology issues. Since the district does not have an approved technology plan on file with TEA; the district does not appear to be benefiting from the E-Rate services. The district has limited budget; and what little budget they have is allocated to resolving any technology problems in the Math and Science departments.
•   Describe the evaluation process that enables the school or district to monitor the progress toward the specified goals and make mid-course corrections in response to new developments and opportunities as they arise.  There does not appear to be any evaluation process outside of the process of teachers are responsible to put in a technology order for any technology issues which may arise. There are weekly staff meetings and teachers can voice any concerns and/or make suggestions during this time.

 I have been with the district for 2 years and during this time I have seen the technology decrease in use instead of increase in use. This is due in part to the limited technology available at each individual campus. The High School is currently using computers which are approximately 10 years old. They have a small computer lab for use but is shared with another teacher who uses the classroom for 1 period when he monitors the Spanish II and Spanish III classes; which are done online through Rosetta Stone. The Spanish I class is held in the Computer room which is also used for all computer classes. The library has approximately 10 computers in which the majority of them do not work at any given time.

 

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