School Improvement                                                  TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

 

            The use of technology to impact the learning of students attending Sweet Grass County High School and opportunities for the people of the community of Big Timber will require constant attention.  The purpose of the Technology Committee of SGHS is to provide direction and planning for that effort.  The committee will accomplish this by:

·        Seeking input from staff, students, and community.

·        Developing a vision for the use of technology.

·        Presenting a technology plan complete with goals, objectives, and activities to the school board, staff, and community.

·        Developing evaluation methods to assist with reaching the objectives and measuring the effectiveness of the technology plan.

·        Developing a budget/timeline to accomplish the goals of the technology plan.

·        Meeting monthly to review/revise the budget/timeline based on changing needs of the district or community.

·        Reviewing the entire technology plan annually.

·        Reporting to the school board each quarter on progress and funding considerations.

·        Reviewing curricular use of technology by each department.

·        Assisting in arranging training opportunities for staff and community.

·         Actively pursuing additional funding sources for technology needs.

 

            The Technology Committee will be composed of faculty members representing various curricular departments, administration, a board member, community members, and students.  The committee members for 2003-4 are:

 

Mindy Obert                             Mathematics Instructor/Parent                             Sheri Campbell  Guidance/Business

Gordon Wichman                   Agricultural Education Instructor                           Mary Jo Engle                   School Board Member

Brad Moore                             Agricultural Education Instructor                           Jane Lowry PIL/Chapter Instructor

Kathy Agnew                           Language Arts Instructor                                      Cindy Epperson               Art Instructor

Al Buerkle                                Superintendent                                                     

COMMUNITY CHARACTERISTICS

Sweet Grass County, a community of approximately 3,200 people is located in south central Montana.  Big Timber, which is the county seat, lies at the confluence of the Yellowstone River and the Boulder River and houses the countywide high school.  The community is driven by an economy based on tourism and agriculture, primarily ranching.

Sweet Grass County High School (SGCHS) houses 205 students of diverse learning styles.  The faculty is comprised of 19 teachers, who strive to provide a nurturing, stimulating and challenging environment for the students of SGCHS.  Sweet Grass County High School has two administrators, an exceptional support staff, and a school lunch program.  Twenty-two percent of our students qualify for free and reduced lunch.  The district is considered rural and the average bus route is 42 miles round trip.  Geographic isolation requires technology to stay abreast of educational advancements and to increase exposure to the arts, humanities, and multiculturalism.

SGCHS realizes the importance of creating lifelong learners and will foster an atmosphere of learning that challenges thinking skills, increases motivation, and raises competency of all individuals.  To achieve educational excellence in the 21^st century, electronic and informational technologies must be integrated into curriculum goals to meet the diverse educational needs of a rural population.  The community, the district, the staff, the parents, and the students must work together to achieve these goals.

Technology within the curriculum

All staff will continue efforts to integrate all curricular areas.  This will be aided by the use of technology.  Tracking student progress, providing integrated profiles of students’ careers, and making referrals for gifted and talented services will be easier with technology.   Additionally, staff members will gain exposure to cross-curricular work done by and with staff and administration in other districts.  Local access to multiple cultures and aesthetic awareness will continue in the linking of all curricular areas. Curriculum instructors have demonstrated their commitment to the achievement of technology goals by investing time and energy to create written plans of action for the incorporation and utilization of technology in their fields.  It is recognized that technology will be used as a tool to enhance curricula, not becoming a separate part of the curriculum.

Communication Arts

Communication arts is the study of language and language use.   A process of social interaction, language develops from a need to create, to comprehend experience, to express oneself, and to communicate.   By sharing thoughts, feelings, and experiences through language, humans learn about themselves and others, interacting with their world. 

Because students learn from writing for a wider and more varied audience, technology and especially the Internet, will

promote and make this possible.  Lifelong learning, questioning, and research techniques are facilitated by Internet access.  The use of computers encourages willingness to revise and edit, promoting pride in a polished product.  Students’ work, presented in typed format allows better expenditure of teacher time.

Foreign Language

Students will read, listen to, and view literary works in the second language in an effort to refine their understanding of world cultures.  They will adapt speaking and listening skills to a variety of audiences and situations, use knowledge of linguistic structures to speak and write more fluently in the second language, and increase their understanding of English through comparison with the second language.   All of these goals will be aided by the use of technology. 

Health and Sciences

The science department will improve technical research.   The access to information regarding health issues, genetic diseases, and bacterial and viral diseases improves the quality of research.  Problem solving and mapping areas can be improved by an increase in accuracy.   This opens the door to more experiments and more accurate results. 

Guidance

Internet will be used for research on career information, financial aid, scholarships, and college information.    WinSchool , a school administration application for scheduling, grades, attendance, etc., is currently used daily.  The juniors have a three-week careers unit, which includes the use of the Internet to research future options.

Business/Technology Education

The main goal of the business education and technology education programs is to prepare students for a job right after high school.  To adequately prepare students, current technology and software are essential.  Each class currently uses technology every day, and upgrading the hardware will accommodate the software that is needed to stay up to date with the current technology in today’s working world.

Partners-in-Learning and Technology Preparation Programs

In order for area colleges to accept our classes for “tech prep” credits, we will use state of the art equipment and software. 

 

Math

The math department has been active in the reform mathematics movement.  The math teachers have been trained extensively in technology and its use as a tool for teaching mathematics.   The math department uses TI-83, TI-92, TI-CBL, TI GraphLink, EXCEL, and Geometers Sketchpad.  An adequate supply of graphing calculators and access to a computer lab and to the Internet will improve instruction. 

Vocational Education

Students will use MAPS, GIS, and GPS to study and plan for natural resource and land uses.    Students will track global and national markets along with economic trends and will integrate the best management practices into farm and ranch business management.  Students will produce business and personal records with the aid of accounting systems.  With the aid of CAD programs, students will program and create embroidery designs, letter and applique with the use of computerized sewing machines.   Students will utilize these practices in conjunction with their respective vocational student organization.  Communication with other teachers and universities will enable the teacher to be fully informed and better prepared.

Social Studies

Students will learn both content and thinking skills, using various methods. Students will compare, contrast, analyze, interpret, synthesize and critically examine information to find pertinent ideas and concepts.    A variety of resources contribute to providing the most current and relevant information in an interesting manner.    These include the media (for current events, legislation, court decisions, etc.), atlases (for physical & cultural geography), primary historical sources (documents, diaries, media, etc.), and the Internet (for updated information in many areas, access to other libraries, cross-referencing of several topics, etc.).  With limited resources in a small, rural community, computer software and the Internet help to broaden and equalize the opportunities of students by connecting them to worldwide resources.   A quality education is achieved when a combination of factors all work towards the common goal.   Providing students with the best possible tools facilitates a quality learning experience.  

Music and Art

Advanced technologies will enhance learning in the music and art classrooms.

1.   The Internet gives musicians an easy, fast, efficient way to communicate with each other.   The Internet is an effective way to conduct research into the history of music, current performance practices, or other issues.   It also gives musicians easy access to music of other cultures, and a forum for composers and arrangers to publish and distribute their works quickly in both print and sound format.

2.   Personal computers interfaced with MIDI instruments offer virtually unlimited opportunities for musicians to create, record, and publish music.   MIDI technology is also appealing to students and motivates them to practice more often and more effectively. 

3.   Computer assisted learning is an effective way to enhance music education.   Drill and practice software helps reinforce concepts that students need, and many programs actually help students develop their technique.   Software is available that transforms a student’s singing into a graphic representation of pitch and shows where it deviates from the desired pitch.

4.  These advanced technologies allow gifted and talented students to explore and create at their own pace.

5.  Technological support allows a busy teacher to organize the classroom more effectively.

Resource Room

Lessons from regular education classrooms and regular curriculum will be reinforced in the resource room, with the help of good software.  Because it is difficult for one teacher to know every subject matter well enough to teach, technology and software will provide tools to strengthen this program.  Often students with disabilities do not grasp general ideas and knowledge well; so specific areas will be explored in greater depth, using the Internet or software.  Students with written language disabilities can utilize the computer for written assignments, evaluating, revising, and publishing their assignments.  Severely disabled students can benefit from programs that teach basic life skills. 

 

 

 

School Improvement

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
SGCHS strives be a synonym of academic excellence.   This means that students must be prepared to meet the needs of an ever-changing society and world.   The staff of SGCHS recognizes the significance of its undertaking and endeavors to provide an atmosphere in which its goal can be realized.  In this scenario technology is the bridge to achievement.  Technology can provide equal access, opportunity, and challenge to a student.  It can provide the atmosphere for learning that is stimulating, interesting, and appealing to students.  In short, it can be the tool that teachers utilize to effectively accomplish their class activities, objectives and goals.      It is understood that without proper preparation one cannot expect satisfactory results.  It is a prerequisite that teachers are provided with a solid knowledge of technology and its uses.  Professional development will promote confidence in the field of technology.  Confidence will lend itself to incorporation.  Incorporation will lend itself to expansion, which in turn will require further training and professional development.  The circle continues and is expanded.  Every step is key to the continuation and success of the curriculum.  It is understood that without properly prepared educators we cannot expect properly educated students.  For this reason SGCHS is committed to professional development.

 

 

School Improvement

GOAL:

Teachers, administration, and support staff will be trained in the use of technology that is available.

 

OBJECTIVE 1:
District will provide direction and leadership in technology.
ACTIVITY	SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT	EVALUATION	TIMELINE
A technology coordinator will be employed.	Professional Development, Plan Implementation, Efficient Leadership	Board employs individual	Ongoing
To remain effective and informed, the technology coordinator will receive monetary support to continually increase his/her knowledge of technology by attending workshops, conferences and other educational classes.	Professional Development	Attend at least 2 conferences per year	Ongoing
The technology coordinator will engage in community education campaigns that will enhance awareness of current and emerging technologies.	Community Relations	At least 3 local/school news articles and/or community meetings per year, adult ed  workshops(Appendix A)	Ongoing
Technology coordinator will facilitate technology training for staff and administration.	Staff Development	Written plan presented to administration (Appendix B-2)	Yearly

 

OBJECTIVE 2:
One hundred percent of faculty, staff, and administration will receive technology training that will foster cross-curricular development.
ACTIVITY	SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT	EVALUATION	TIMELINE
All staff and administrators will complete a survey to determine current expertise in technology.	Staff Development	Completion of Survey (C-4, C-5) & Taglet Survey(Appendix C)	Yearly
All staff and administrators will attend at least one PIR day or professional day dedicated to technology training.	Staff Development	Record of participation from administration (C-6)	Yearly
Release time will be provided for teachers to observe peers and teachers at other schools that are implementing cross-curricular units.	Staff Development	Report by participants to faculty on visitations	Yearly
Thirty percent of the technology budget will be used to fund release time, travel, per diem and fees for teachers, staff, and administration for instruction and workshops. Tech coordinator will provide one to one training and assist in classrooms as needed by individual staff members.	Staff Development	Tech. Budget analysis at the end of the year	Yearly
Objective 3: One hundred percent of faculty, staff, and administration will receive training in technology and curriculum integration to improve instruction.
ACTIVITY	SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT	EVALUATION	TIMELINE
Release time will be provided for teachers as needed in each curriculum area to meet and develop lesson plans and units that follow the revised curriculum that includes the technology standards.	Curriculum Development	Technology Checklists Appendix D-2	Ongoing
Release time will be provided for teachers to observe peers and teachers at other schools that are currently integrating technology into their curriculum.	Staff Development	Record of teachers and number of days released	Yearly
At least one in-service meetings will be used for teachers to share classroom activities that integrate technology and curriculum and/or demonstrate using technology as a tool to improve instruction and learning.	Staff Development	Plan presented by In-service Committee  (Appendix B-1)	Yearly

School Improvement

CURRICULUM

In an ongoing effort to track, revise, and update curriculum as rapidly as possible to meet the needs of our students, the curriculum committee is scheduled to meet yearly.  Past efforts have included responses to the Northwest Evaluation Visitation Team review in April of 1994.  In 1999 a committee of staff and administration received MISTA training, which led to development of guidelines to review and revise goals for the school and curriculum areas as part of the ongoing school improvement plan.  Most obvious results of that effort were the increase in Tech Prep and AP courses offerings, along with the development of the Partners in Learning (PIL) program, which has incorporated Gifted and Talented, School to Work, distance learning, and differentiated curriculum opportunities for students.  During the 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 school years, curriculum efforts led to the development of course descriptions and learner outcomes for all courses offered at SGHS.  Most recent efforts have been related to “checking” those descriptions and outcomes for alignment with the state curriculum and content standards.  All curricular areas addressed the state Technology benchmarks in addition to reviewing the standards which applied specifically to their department.  Future work will include using that alignment comparison to evaluate curriculum and to develop assessment methods/practices that will accurately measure the delivery and effectiveness of the curriculum.  An underlying theme in all of the curriculum work at SGHS is the integration of technology to improve instruction and achievement.

 

 

School Improvement

GOAL 1:

Students will engage in integrated cross-curricular activities enhanced by technology.

 

OBJECTIVE 1:
Students and staff will have immediate and equitable access to current information via Internet access in each classroom, the library, the Computer labs.
ACTIVITY	SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT	EVALUATION	TIMELINE
Student use of Internet and available technology will be governed by the Internet Acceptable Use Policy adopted by the district.	School Policy	Adoption by board (Appendix E)	Ongoing
E-rate application will be filed.	Funding Sources	Computer form (done)	Yearly
Each classroom, PC labs, library and administrative offices will be wired for internet and upgraded as needed.	Facility Improvement	Wiring complete (Appendix F-2)	Ongoing
A LAN for the entire school with 684K DSL Internet access will be established and maintained.	Technology access	Operational network in use	Ongoing
The guidance counselor will continue to provide students access to the Careers Information System,  Fast Web Scholarship Program, and college information which  will strengthen resources in career planning.	Guidance Curriculum	Freshmen & Juniors	Yearly

 

OBJECTIVE 2:
All teachers will integrate state technology standards to improve instruction and implementation of curriculum.
ACTIVITY	SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT		EVALUATION	TIME LINE
Curriculum and instruction time blocks will be scheduled for planning and implementation.	Curriculum Improvement		In-service plan Appendix B-1	Yearly
Based on a yearly review of technology standards checklist and taglit survey, the district will pick one technology area to improve.	Curriculum Improvement		Goals of school improvement plan	Yearly

 

 

School Improvement

GOAL 2:

Students will increase competency in critical thinking, problem solving, and decision-making processes by gathering, researching, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from current information.

 

OBJECTIVE 1:
District will provide access for students to distance learning opportunities.
ACTIVITY	SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT	EVALUATION	TIMELINE
Distance learning opportunities available via Internet will be pursued based on individual student needs.	Increasing Resources	Differential Curr. Comm. Reports Appendix I	Yearly
Students will be able to take courses via the Internet or the satellite.	Curriculum Expansion, Gifted and Talented	Record of students use.	Ongoing
Technology preparation classes will be offered and articulation with more colleges will be sought.	Partners-In-Learning	College and VoTech agreements (Appendix H)	Yearly
Advanced Placement & Course Compacting opportunities will be increased.	Gifted and Talented	Indep. & Extended contracts Appendix I	Ongoing
Correspondence course offerings will be increased and expanded as needed and determined by Differential Curriculum Committee.	Differential Curriculum Committee	Number of courses offered	Ongoing

 

OBJECTIVE 2:
The library will provide resources and information necessary to accomplish the goals and objectives of the curriculum.
ACTIVITY	SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT	EVALUATION	TIMELINE