All school districts that receive E-Rate funding must have a Long-Range Technology Plan. Kaufman ISD is made up of 6 campuses with 3,700 students (62 % of the district being economically disadvantaged) and 493 faculty members.
Kaufman ISD has a vision that the community served by the Kaufman Independent School District will benefit from technology in the school system. The community benefits from a school system whose students become competent in skills that will enable them to qualify for good jobs and serve as responsible citizens. Kaufman schools will serve as a central resource for everyone in the community to learn computer skills and gain access to the vast array of information available through current technology.
The mission of the Kaufman ISD Technology Department is to provide students and educators with leadership, infrastructure, technical support and staff development to gain the knowledge and attitudes necessary to function successfully in our changing society.
KISD has four goals in its Technology Plan. "GOAL 1: Teaching and Learning - Instructional systems technology will be implemented to increase and enhance student learning, instructional management and community usage. GOAL 2: Educator Preparation and Development - The instructional staff will have access to staff development and to a variety of resources to address the individual needs of students. GOAL 3: Administration and Support Services - Kaufman ISD support systems will continue to provide skilled personnel, training, and resources required to support ever changing technologies. GOAL 4: Infrastructure for Technology - Kaufman ISD will provide and maintain an infrastructure for communication with parents and community members. This infrastructure will include a fiber backbone for our district network/phone/voice mail system" (2007, 8 -13).
There are many strategies listed in this plan to meet the goals listed above. For example, KISD will provide training to staff on district assessment tools and district curriculum software. Also, Kaufman ISD support systems will continue to provide skilled personnel, training, and resources required to support ever changing technologies. All teachers are required to participate in district staff development trainings which will enhance their performance in the classroom. The district will offer new on-line courses to students and teachers.
KISD has an overall three year budget of 854,173.80.This is a difficult but adequate budget considering the downfall of the economy. The budget allows for $230.86 for every student and one computer per seven students. 100% of the classrooms have direct connection to the Internet and network.
KISD has several ways of evaluating the success of their Technology Plan. A comprehensive needs assessment utilizing teacher/student input, interviews, campus meetings, inventories and the Texas Campus STaR Chart is conducted to analyze the current status of technology in the district and to determine future needs. Items analyzed include: infrastructure, hardware, software, programs, courses, student achievement, technology resources, staff development, and technical support.
Campus principals are in charge of all Professional Development. There are four members in the Technology Department and they help provide as much in-house training as possible. They also set up trainings conducted at the regional service center.
In reviewing KISD’s Long-Range Technology Plan, it is clear that they are working in an economically challenged area. They have found ways to meet the needs of their teachers and students on a limited budget with limited technology personnel. All schools should strive to go beyond the goals they have set no matter what their limitations.
Williams, T. (2010). Kaufman ISD technology plan: 2010-2013 [PDF document]. 1-15.
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