Plan
Technology Plan
Note: This is NOT an MSS technology plan. The below are just notes that are kept here in anticipation of the development of a technology plan in the future.
What is a School Technology Plan
A school technology plan describes how technology is used to improve student learning and achievement to achieve the school's mission. It allows the school to organize and align its technology resources and efforts to its mission.
The school technology plan covers:
- Instructional Technology - Technology that is deployed to improve student learning and performance.
- Management Systems - Technology that is deployed to improve school efficiency and effectiveness.
- Infrastructure - The physical set up of equipment and associated services to provide the necessary environment for technology initiatives.
Rationale for MSS Technology Plan
MSS does not currently have a technology plan. Two conditions illustrate the rationale for developing an MSS technology plan:
- MSS has been actively acquiring and using technology for several years. It now has a substantial technology inventory and is increasing its technology use every year. Because it's approach has been ad-hoc, it is difficult to determine if technology is contributing to its mission.
- A technology plan can consolidate these existing efforts under a structured framework so that gaps are addressed and mission alignment can occur.
- The MSS WASC 2020 Report has 80 criteria. At least 14 (18%) of them reference technology. All of these assume the implementation of a school technology plan.
- A technology plan that has been implemented ensures that an adequate technology foundation exists to support the achievement of these criteria.
Need Statement 2023
MSS does not have a technology plan. This needs to be addressed.
MSS has an ad-hoc infrastructure. This needs to be formalized under an infrastructure plan.
MSS has an un-inventoried stock of technology resources. These resources need to be placed under the control of an inventory process.
Priorities and Actions for 2023
Ideally, the technology plan must be in place before the many other steps can be pursued.
Since MSS is already using technology, it should formalize its infrastructure ASAP. This addresses immediate operational needs and prepares the infrastructure for integration into the technology plan.
I. Develop the infrastructure plan.
- Develop infrastructure peformance specs.
- At this time, MSS can simply go for the best it can afford.
- Later the infrastructure can be revised to comply with the technology plan.
- Survey the existing ad-hoc infrastructure
- Develop a plan that leverages the existing existing structure to meet the specs.
II. Establish an inventory inventory process and put existing technology under its control.
- Conduct the initial inventory
- Develop an inventory system and populate it with inventory data
- Present the system to management for review
III. Implement the Infrastructure Plan
- Match the technology inventory to the infrastructure plan
- Identify gaps in availability of infrastructure resources
- Develop an implementation plan that leverages existing resources and plans for acquisition of missing pieces
- Build the infrastructure in phases as resources become available
IV. Pilot and deploy existing technology initiatives that will be integrated into the technology plan.
- Develop a student registration system
- Pilot test the student registration system
- Deploy the student registration system starting in 3rd Quarter
- Develop a student report card system
- Pilot test the student report card system
- Deploy the student report card system starting in 3rd Quarter
Evaluation
By the end of 2023 there should be an infrastructure in place with the following characteristics:
- Fully documented
- Is inventoried and costed
- Accessible to stakeholders
- Monitored and secure
- Provides up time and performance metrics
- Student registration and student report card systems are fully functional