Aim 3: How Technology Supports Quality Teachers, Administrators and Staff

Strategic Priority 3: Quality Teachers, Administrators and Staff*
Strategic Goal: (Please check.) X Professional preparation aligned with state priorities X A system to develop, train, and license a BK (birth-kindergarten) professional staff for public schools X A system to recruit, retain, and compensate a diverse corps of quality teachers, administrators, and staff X A system to ensure high performance of teachers, administrators, and staff X A system of continuous learning and professional development to support high performance of all employees X High ethical and professional standards for all employees
Objective 3.1 All teachers will have access to up-to-the-minute student information
Strategy	Time-line	Method of Evaluation	Evaluation Results June, 2007
3.1a Refresh computers so that teachers may effectively utilize NC WISE data to make informed decisions	2005-2009 with annual benchmarks and evaluations in September and June	AMTR and tech support inventories	During the 2006-07 school year, a partnership evolved between the Carteret County Government and the Carteret County School System.  This joint venture has provided the school system with over $2 million in updated hardware.  In the Fall  of 2007, 1475 computers and 264 data projectors were purchased.   The projectors and computers have arrived and are currently being deployed.  To date, all schools have received their allotment of projectors and 12 of the 16 schools are using their new computers.  The last 4 schools (Phase 5) will have their computers in place and ready for use by the end of October.  This initiative will ensure that 100% of the teachers/administrators will have a computer that is "NC WISE compliant" prior to the launch of NC WISE in March.
3.1b Provide training and support for teachers to use NC WISE attendance and gradebook modules on a daily basis	2005-2009 with monthly benchmarks and evaluations	Teacher use of NC Wise attendance and gradebook.	Training will take place for SIMS operators in December, 2007.  In January, 2008, training will take place for instructional technology facilitators who will, then, train the staff members at each of their schools (by March, 2008).  SIMS operators currently have access to the WBT self-guided training sessions.
Objective 3.2 All schools will have highly qualified media coordinators, technology facilitators, and media and technology assistants.
Strategy	Time-line	Method of Evaluation	Evaluation Results June, 2007
3.2a Hire technology facilitators with 079 (special endorsement) or 077 (Masters in Instructional Technology) with 3+ years classroom teaching experience	2005-2009 with annual benchmarks and evaluations in September and June	Technology Facilitator Performance Appraisal Instrument (TFPAI)	The last three instructional technology facilitators who have been hired have been excellent classroom teachers who have been passionate about instructional technology.  However, it has been difficult to locate potential ITFs who have the 079 endorsement or who meet the 077 criteria.  During the current year, ITFs will be encouraged to participate in the 079 certification process.  Information will be provided at upcoming staff development sessions which will outline the benefits of receiving the 079 special endorsement.
3.2b Re-dedicate commitment to MCPAI and TFPAI Tools and Processes	2005-2007	Inventory of Principals following IMPACT Guidelines for hiring, MCPAI and TFPAI	The IMPACT model and its value continues to be a topic of discussion at many administrative meetings throughout the county.  Carteret County's, Broad Creek Middle School, was selected in 2006 as an IMPACT School of the Year. During the 2007-08 SY, administrators, media coordinators, instructional technology facilitators, and other key personnel will continue to be encouraged to visit BCMS and to adopt the IMPACT model for their schools. The Director of Technology/Media will collaborate with the Director of Curriculum and Instruction to arrange for guest speakers such as Frances Bradburn to participate in future administrative/MTAC  meetings.
Objective 3.3 Support the professional growth of teachers, staff and administrators.
3.3a Train all grades 3-12 teachers in Intel Teach to the Future model	2005-2009 with annual benchmarks and evaluations in June	Intel Roster	Intel training has been replaced with school-customized staff development initiatives.  Each school's staff development plan is outlined in their school technology plan which is developed annually as part of the MTAC planning process. Staff development initiatives are closely aligned with the individual school's SIP. County-wide staff development initiatives are currently being geared towards 21st-century skills.  For example, during the 2007-08 SY, media coordinators will receive a laptop and will participate in monthly training opportunities such as Web 2.0, lexiles, and research strategies.
3.3b Train all grades 6-12 teachers in the expanded literacies of the communication age	2005-2009 with annual benchmarks and evaluations in November and June	Roster, Observation: Blog, Wiki, Podcast on teacher websites.	During the 2006-07 SY, instructional technology facilitators participated in Web 2.0 training and were encouraged to share the information with their schools.  As a result, blogging, podcasting, and the creation of wikis has become a part of many schools and will continue to thrive during the 2007-08 SY: Examples: CHS-Biology Blog ECHS-English Blog BCMS-Student Podcasts MMS-School Blog, Technology Blog
3.3c Train all grades 3-12 teachers in value-added assessment	2007-2009 with annual benchmarks and evaluations in June	EEVAS data	Lexile training has been offered by Meta Metrics three times during the 2007-08.  This will be an on-going initiative for the current year and is a large part of value-added assessment.  School media centers have invested in the purchase of Destiny's lexile conversion software which will assist the media coordinators in obtaining lexile levels for their existing materials.  In addition, media coordinators are experimenting with a trial version of EBSCO which will allow students to search for on-line materials that are on their reading level (lexile). Various software packages are being examined which will offer value-added assessment applications for teachers.  Read 180 is being used in some schools.  Success Maker is being explored by other schools. The Director of Technology/Media and the Director of Elementary Education have visited Lenoir County to see how 3rd- and 4th-grade teachers are using Success Maker for value-added assessment.
3.3d Develop communities of learners within schools	2005-2009 with annual benchmarks and evaluations in November and June	Interviews with principals	Information on learning communities has been provided as part of staff development initiatives.  On Oct. 8 (teacher's workday), over 300 educators participated in staff development learning opportunities at WCHS.  Several of the sessions focused on school reform and cross-curricular articulation with an emphasis on communities of learners.
3.3e Develop a series of grade level technology “experiences” that augments Computer Skills Curriculum and NETS-S	2005-2007 with annual benchmarks and evaluations in November and June	Evidence of development/ publication on web	Each school is required (annually) to address their efforts to support the Computer Skills Curriculum in sections IV and V of their School Media Tech Planner, ’06-’07.
3.3f Develop consistent professional development evaluation that addresses teacher growth and implementation plans.	2006-2007	Evidence of development/ publication on web	The success of staff development opportunities are now tracked using NC DPI's Sea System.  Staff development proposals are submitted prior to a staff development activity and registered participants receive surveys that ask how the learning activity will be implemented in the classroom.
3.3g Investigate innovation and best practice in CEU requirement	2007-2008	Evidence of development/ publication on web	Educators throughout the county took part in an Oct. 8 Staff Development Day at WCHS which was entitled "Through the Eyes of Our Students."  The Director of Curriculum and Instruction worked with the Director of Technology and Media to ensure that innovative and best practice sessions were included.