Governor’s Advisory Council on Educational Technology

Vision Statement: In order to actively participate in a growing global environment, West Virginia will embrace, value and utilize technology to stimulate a robust educational economic and community climate that enhances the lives of all its citizens.

Sub-Committee: Infrastructure, Hardware & Software

Sub-Committee Members:

• Kyle Schafer, Chair
• Jorea Marple

Goals:

• To identify and prioritize infrastructure, hardware and software needs of students, teachers, building administrators, support staff and central office staff.
• To determine current structure/process for securing equipment to meet the instructional and management needs of all users.
• To determine the current structure/process for securing instructional and management software for all users.
• To identify specific infrastructure needs necessary to support the effective and efficient use of technology.
• To identify concerns/issues as it relates to purchasing and securing of hardware and software from the state contract.
• To address the need of staffing schools with Technology Information Specialists (TIS)s who provide daily and timely support of educators in the use of technology.

Current Available Software to Support Instruction & Management:

• Compass Learning (K-6)
• River Deep (K-6)
• Marco Polo (K-12)
• SAS in School (8-12)
• EETT (TIS component)
• EdVenture Group
• SUCCESS (7-12)
• Bridges (7-12)

School Kit - http://www.schoolkit.com/PG/mnServices.asp

(Need to List Management Software:  WVEIS)

Current Hardware Available on the State Contract to Support Instruction & Management:

(Need to List)

Risks/Barriers:

1. The current replacement 10-year replacement cycle for securing hardware.
2. The continued reduction in funding support for infrastructure, hardware and software – 9 million dollars since 03.
3. The securing of legislative action to change the state-aid funding formula to support TIS position in each school.
4. Providing flexibility in purchasing at the local level and at the same time providing economies of scale that meet the diverse funding capacity in different school districts.

Measuring Success:

1. The administration of a 8^th Technology Assessment Program to measure level of mastery of technology standards.
2. The incorporation and use of 21^st Century Assessments to support higher level application and analysis skills.
3. The equitable purchasing of the latest technology and software for all students on a 4 year replacement cycle.
4. The incorporation of technology in supporting content acquisition in all curriculum areas.
5. The design of a survey to measure the enhanced use of Basis Skills & Success Software in K-12.

What is Working/What is Not:

(List concern/issues from surveys, (Nancy & yours) tech coordinator meetings, superintendents meeting)

Quick Hits/Solution:

1. Restore funding of Technology Budget in order to enhance purchasing of hardware/software at the local level ( 9 million + continuation of at least 3 million additional dollars annually.)
2. Change funding formula to include Technology Integration Specialist.
3. Develop a funding mechanism to support a 4 year replacement cycle.