ITEC 7410: SIP Plan/Technology Plan Analysis

Name: Chrissia Haughton Semester: Fall 2017

Type your answers below (ie. minimum of 2-5 sentences per question as appropriate).

School Improvement Plan Analysis:

● What is your school’s mission/vision?

○ It is the mission of KIPP STRIVE Primary School to grow, in each and every one of
our scholars, the intellect and character necessary to achieve and lead in middle
school, high school, college, and beyond. We currently serve grades K-4. Being a a
five year old school KIPP STRIVE Primary continues to grow with teachers and
opportunities for the scholars at the school. At KIPP STRIVE Primary School, we are
deeply commitment to character development. As such, we like to say that our focus
is “51% character and 49% academics.” We believe that love is a key component to
the teaching, learning, and character development processes. More specifically, our
school is built on the belief that it is our responsibility as educators to nurture in each
scholar a rooted love for themselves, for others, for learning, and for bettering our
world. It is through this encompassing love that our scholars will become
authentically and fervently invested in their climb to and through college,
understanding their successes in academics and character as the means to express
their gifts as leaders.
● What are the targeted areas for improvement (ex. Fourth-grade math, improved LA
scores for ESOL population, etc.) and the specific goals related to this improvement
area that are set forth in the SIP (ex. % gain in CRCT scores)?
○ Because we are a very new school, procedures and outcomes are still in place as
change progresses. This is our second year of having fourth graders so scores for
the Georgia Milestone (previously known as CRCT) have met the state's requirement
for passing. We will have a more accurate and direct goal to improve once we’ve
accumulated more years and can see a broader spectrum of this assessment.
● How does your SIP address the needs of diverse populations regarding digital
technology equity for low SES and gender groups (ie. females) and assistive
technology for disabled learners? If it does not, what are your recommendations?
○ Currently there are no technology equity SES and gender groups. All students have
access to iPads during center rotations and use a program called Odyssey. As for
disabled learners, there is nothing at the moment. I would recommend allotted time
with computers or tools that can be used to help these learners be more successful
during classroom hours. I would also recommend designated areas in the classroom
where learners can have their time using the tools rather than leaving the classroom
to do so.
● How is technology included in the SIP? In what ways is student technology literacy
included as a goal in you SIP? If it is not, what are you recommendations?
○ Technology is not included in the SIP. But when I spoke with my principal and the
coordinator of the school, we talked about items they would like to see in the future
for KIPP STRIVE. Some items discussed was student access to iPads. Currently
 every classroom has access to five iPads in the classroom. Scholars do not have
free access to the computer lab, and the lab is not used as a course that other public
schools may have. I would like to see more literacy programs included with
classroom learning for the students. Possible PBL’s conducted by teachers who are
not in the classroom.
● Why is technology addressed (or not addressed!) as it is? [ Additional Field
Experience option if interviewing others in the school to find this history.]
○ Because we are a charter school, funds are provided for certain areas of interest. We
are very new school and there is still so much we are learning as a community of
educators. As stated in our mission, we are 51% character and 49% academics. We
strive to build our young learners with the best academics while ensuring a strong
foundation of character that will follow them through to college. This being my first
year at this school, I see so much potential and area of growth in the technology
field. I believe it is not addressed because there is more of a focus on other items as
academics and making sure the information is conducted the correct way for our
young learners.
● Are you pleased with the current treatment of technology-related issues in the SIP?
Why or why not?
○ I am not pleased with the current treatment of techonology. Coming from a school
where lots of technology was being used in and out of the classroom to being at a
school where not enough is being used is a bit of a set back. So many scholars at
our school can benefit with different types of technology. I see so much potential in
having technology, especially for today’s 21st century learners. I would like to see
more at my current school and am willing to help inform those at my current school to
see the benefits of technology.
● Would you like to see technology issues represented differently in future SIPs? Why?
○ I would like to see technology issues represented differently in future SIPs because
of the great benefits it has on students. I’m currently at a school where there is little
use of technology so I’m looking forward to improve in this area at my school. I know
of a few programs that can be used at my school, but I also feel it may be something
region wide that can possibly put things in motion. Another reason why I would like to
see it represented differently is to show importance of the actual use of technology. It
is currently not in the plans, which shows how important it is. If it gets placed on the
radar, it will be a great addition to our school.
● What are you first thoughts of how technology could contribute toward achieving the
mission/vision/goals set forth in your school improvement plan?
○ Because our mission is to achieve and lead in all grade levels and beyond college,
my first thought on how technology could contribute towards that is getting scholars
familiar with all the attributes technology has to offer for young learners. If our
mission is to make scholars college ready, they must know everything there is to
know about technology and how it can be used for education. Speaking with my
principal, she stated that she would love to have a typing program starting in 2nd
grade, so by 3rd grade,scholars will be familiar with the keyboard and can practice
expressing their thoughts on the computer, which is a skill they will need to know for
college and beyond.
● How might technology be integrated more effectively into you SIP in the future?
 ○ I think the best way technology can be integrated more effectively is by having a trial
of what can be used. Because we are a growing school, it would be great to see our
3rd graders using some sort of technology that can carry them to 4th grade, This way
educators and administration can see how effective the selected technology effected
young learners. I think it can also be effective if it was carried out through the region.
Because we are a charter school, it is likely that if one school does it we all do it and
if everyone is on the same page of technology, the results can be greatly beneficial
and both educators and students can learn a great deal of the use of technology.

District Technology Plan Analysis:

(Note: Most districts do have a plan. Contact district-level personnel for a copy if needed.)

● What are the three main curriculum goals in your district’s technology plan?
○ Increase student engagement in the learning process through the use of easily
accessible innovative technologies.
○ Increase student engagement outside the classroom by providing students with 24/7
access to curriculum, instruction and assessment resources through a web-based
portal system.
○ Increase independent student learning that takes place outside the classroom by
providing greater access and use of technology for project-based learning.
● What strategies are outlined for achieving these goals?
○ Increasing or maintaining access to technology for System members
○ Establishing or maintaining equitable technology access for System members
○ Increasing parent involvement in student learning via technology
○ Providing technical support
○ Strategies, other than professional development, that promote researchbased
instructional practices, effective technology use in the classroom and/or technology
use targeted to CCGPS standards (policies, teacher evaluation procedures,
expectations, curriculum guide revisions to include technology, etc.)
○ Strategies that address innovative electronic delivery of specialized or rigorous
learning opportunities for staff and students
○ Especially Creative and/or cost-efficient strategies for maintaining high levels of
access, beyond-school access, equitable access and technical support
○ Creative ways of encouraging parent and community involvement that may model
best uses of technology
● Does the plan seem achievable over the designated timeline? Why?
○ According to the timeline, all these goals and strategies have been put in place on a
district level and will close out the end of this year. They’ve been on tract and from
my research, other schools have been implementing these strategies over the past
three years.
● In what ways would you like to see the plan improved?
○ Honestly, the plan looks really good. If I could improve it, I would update the tools
being used and possibly when to implement them.
● What could you, in your current or a future position, do to help support
implementation of the plan?
 ○ I could support implementation by following through the strategies put in place. Being
a guide to teachers and administration on how to effectively implement innovative
ideas can help build a strong foundation on how technology can work in my school. I
think there is so much my school can learn and implement and we can go a long way
if it is done correctly.
● How does the plan address the needs of diverse populations regarding digital
technology equity for low SES and gender groups (ie. females) and assistive
technology for disabled learners? If it does not, what are your recommendations?
○ The plan addresses the needs of diverse population by providing professional
development for teachers to be with students of low SES and assistive technology.
Several programs are mapped out for both teachers and students to help improve
learning for disabled learners.
● In what ways does the plan tie-in to your local SIP?
○ This plan does not tie-in much with my local SIP. What is tied-in is the amount of
professional development for teachers to learn new ways to support young learners
and implement findings for a brighter future. The plan shares similar goals with my
local SIP that will improve student data and how assessments are taken quarterly.

School Tech Plan Status:

(Note: Most Schools will not have a tech plan. In this case students can only answer question one
and maybe elaborate on why there is no plan and if there ever was a history of tech planning at the
school at all)
● Is there a technology plan that is separate from the SIP at your school? If so, when
and how was it created?
○ No.