Professional Development and Support Programs
This element covers both preservice and in-service training and professional development. It addresses the collaborative development of materials, courses, certification programs, and various staff development delivery models related to the effective integration of technology in K-12 schools. 2009 Update: A survey of professional development needs related to instructional technology was conducted in May, 2009. The results of this survey are posted here: http://www.rockingham.k12.va.us/Highlights/technologyneedsassessment.html
Note: All Goals and Targets below are from the 2003-2009 Educational Technology Plan for Virginia.
Goal 1 • Establish partnerships for identifying and delivering effective technology training to assist educators as they help students achieve high academic standards.
Targets
1. Educator training programs reflect preservice course work and experiences that include effective approaches to integrating technology into K-12 education.
Current Status of this Target in RCPS
- RCPS has strong partnerships with James Madison University, Eastern Mennonite University, and Bridgewater College. Students from these institutions have practicum and student teaching experiences in RCPS where they peruse our technology.
- RCPS staff members have participated in technology planning committees for facilities and courses at these institutions.
RCPS Action Plan for this Target
- Continue the strong partnerships with James Madison University, Eastern Mennonite University, and Bridgewater College. Students from these institutions will continue to have practicum and student teaching experiences in RCPS where they peruse our technology.
- RCPS staff members will continue to participate in technology planning committees for facilities and courses at these institutions.
2. A variety of classes, training, and resources pertaining to integrating technology effectively are available for staff development.
Current Status of this Target in RCPS
- Over 100 teachers have annually participated in many training opportunities including the RCPS Summer Technology Academy (see Appendix for details) and various technology integration workshops during the school year.
- Over 100 teachers have participated in regional training programs involving technology integration including the National Teacher Training Institute supported by WVPT and the SVTC Ed-Tech grant.
- RCPS has provided tuition-free, graduate level coursework for as many as 50 teachers per year, funded by the No Child Left Behind Educational Technology grants, both formula and the SVTC Ed-Tech grants.
- One hundred seventy two RCPS teachers have achieved NETS*T certification through the process outlined by the Shenandoah Valley Technology Consortium Ed-Tech grant.
- New teachers receive technology training during New Teacher Orientation.
RCPS Action Plan for this Target
- RCPS will continue to provide technology integration workshops including the RCPS Summer Technology Academy and various technology integration workshops during the school year.
- RCPS teachers will continue to participate in regional training programs involving technology integration including the National Teacher Training Institute supported by WVPT and the SVTC Ed-Tech grant.
- RCPS will continue to provide tuition-free, graduate level coursework for as many as 100 teachers per year, funded by the No Child Left Behind Educational Technology grants, both formula and the SVTC Ed-Tech grants.
- RCPS will provide support for at least 50 additional teachers to achieve NETS*T certification through the process outlined by the Shenandoah Valley Technology Consortium Ed-Tech grant.
- New teachers will continue to receive technology training during New Teacher Orientation.
- ITRT staff will provide regular and highly skilled assistance to teachers and sudents for technology integration including one-on-one assistance, group inservices, and "road shows" to each school.
3. Technology-related staff development offered by various entities is provided in a variety of topics and delivery methods.
Current Status of this Target in RCPS
- Over 100 teachers have annually participated in many training opportunities including the RCPS Summer Technology Academy (see Appendix for details) and various technology integration workshops during the school year. Workshops are offered on many topics and at various levels of technology fluency.
- Over 100 teachers have participated in regional training programs involving technology integration including the National Teacher Training Institute supported by WVPT and the SVTC Ed-Tech grant.
- RCPS has provided tuition-free, graduate level coursework at James Madison University and Eastern Mennonite University for as many as 50 teachers per year, funded by the No Child Left Behind Educational Technology grants, both formula and the SVTC Ed-Tech grants. Coursework has been offered at three different levels of technology fluency.
- One hundred seventy two RCPS teachers have achieved NETS*T certification through the process outlined by the Shenandoah Valley Technology Consortium Ed-Tech grant.
RCPS Action Plan for this Target
- RCPS will continue to provide technology integration workshops including the RCPS Summer Technology Academy and various technology integration workshops during the school year. Workshops on many different topics and at various levels of technology fluency will be offered.
- RCPS teachers will continue to participate in regional training programs involving technology integration including the National Teacher Training Institute supported by WVPT and the SVTC Ed-Tech grant.
- RCPS will continue to provide tuition-free, graduate level coursework at James Madison University and Eastern Mennonite University for as many as 100 teachers per year, funded by the No Child Left Behind Educational Technology grants, both formula and the SVTC Ed-Tech grants. Coursework will continue to be offered at three different levels of technology fluency.
- RCPS will provide support for at least 50 additional teachers to achieve NETS*T certification through the process outlined by the Shenandoah Valley Technology Consortium Ed-Tech grant.
- ITRT staff will provide information to teachers regarding acceptable use and internet safety.
- ITRT staff will provide regular and highly skilled assistance to teachers and sudents for technology integration including one-on-one assistance, group inservices, and "road shows" to each school.
4. Technology leadership activities are provided to K-12 educational technology stakeholders.
Current Status of this Target in RCPS
- Over 100 teachers have participated in regional training programs involving technology integration including the National Teacher Training Institute supported by WVPT and the SVTC Ed-Tech grant.
- RCPS has been a founder of and active participant in the Shenandoah Valley Technology Consortium
- RCPS has been represented at all of the annual Technology Leadership Conferences sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education.
RCPS Action Plan for this Target
- RCPS teachers will continue to participate in regional training programs involving technology integration including the National Teacher Training Institute supported by WVPT and the SVTC Ed-Tech grant.
- RCPS will continue to be an active participant in the Shenandoah Valley Technology Consortium and will be represented at all monthly meetings.
- Many school leaders will attend the annual Technology Leadership Conference sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education.
Goal 2 • Administer grant programs and financial assistance initiatives that support implementation of educational technology integration.
Targets
1. Grant programs and alternative sources of funding that support educational technology are administered.
Current Status of this Target in RCPS
- RCPS has participated annually in the web-based online SOL Technology Initiative.
- RCPS has participated annually in the federal e-rate program.
- RCPS has participated annually in the No Child Left Behind Ed Tech formula grant program.
- RCPS has participated annually in the No Child Left Behind Ed Tech competitive grant awarded to the Shenandoah Valley Technology Consortium.
- RCPS has participated in the VITAL program sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
- The Rockingham Educational Foundation has provided many used computers from local businesses. These computers have been deployed in various settings on the RCPS network.
RCPS Action Plan for this Target
- RCPS will continue to participate in the web-based online SOL Technology Initiative.
- RCPS will continue to participate in the federal e-rate program.
- RCPS will continue to participate in the No Child Left Behind Ed Tech formula grant program.
- RCPS will continue to participate in the No Child Left Behind Ed Tech competitive grant awarded to the Shenandoah Valley Technology Consortium.
- RCPS will continue to participate in the VITAL program sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
- The Rockingham Educational Foundation will continue to provide many used computers from local businesses.
2. Teacher education institutions, businesses, organizations, and private entities become partners in the implementation of technology-related grants focusing on technology integration.
Current Status of this Target in RCPS
- James Madison University and Eastern Mennonite University have cooperated with RCPS in offering technology coursework as funded by the No Child Left Behind Ed Tech grants, both competitive and formula.
- RCPS has participated in the VITAL program sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
- The Rockingham Educational Foundation has provided many used computers from local businesses. These computers have been deployed in various settings on the RCPS network.
RCPS Action Plan for this Target
- RCPS will continue to cooperate with James Madison University and Eastern Mennonite for technology coursework as funded by the No Child Left Behind Ed Tech grants, both competitive and formula.
- RCPS will continue to participate in the VITAL program sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
- The Rockingham Educational Foundation will continue to provide many used computers from local businesses.
Goal 3 • Establish and maintain instructional technologists (including site-based technology resource teachers) in school divisions.
Targets
1. Site-based instructional technologists are available to all schools.
Current Status of this Target in RCPS
- RCPS employs seven ITRTs and two Technology Instructional Specialists who assist teachers with integrating technology into instruction.
- Each elementary school has a teacher who is paid a small stipend for doing some minor computer troubleshooting and providing local inservice.
RCPS Action Plan for this Target
- RCPS will eventually provide for each school a building-level ITRT. Additional state funding will likely be required in order to meet this need.
2. Staff development models and activities that are designed for site-based instructional technologists are available for all K-12 schools.
Current Status of this Target in RCPS
- RCPS employs seven ITRTs and two Technology Instructional Specialists who assist teachers with integrating technology into instruction.
- RCPS has provided numerous inservice sessions for the teachers who now serve as each school's "Computer Troubleshooter."
RCPS Action Plan for this Target
- RCPS will eventually provide for each school a building-level ITRT. Additional state funding will likely be required in order to meet this need.
- RCPS will continue to provide annual inservice sessions for the teachers who now serve as each school's "Computer Troubleshooter."