District Technology Plan Frequently Asked Questions

 

During the writing process of the technology plans, we will post answers to questions received at this web site. Please continue to refer the FAQ web page throughout the development of your plans. We will update this site as we receive new questions.

 

1. What is CFNC?

 

            College Foundation of North Carolina

 

 

2. Should we include the actual question from the technology plan template in our current situation narrative?

 

No. The questions serve as a guide for the narrative and correlate with the evaluation guide.

 

 

3. What is the purpose of the current situation in five strategic priority sections of the plan?

 

The current situation should be an accurate reflection of the technology program in your LEA.

 

 

4.     Explain the phrase “necessary component for LEA technology plans.”

 

Necessary components are items that need to be addressed in your technology plan. The degree of implementation will vary from system to system. However, it is necessary to monitor periodically each of the components and your objectives should reflect that the components are being monitored.

 

 

5.     How do we address continuing projects in the timeline column of the strategic priority charts?

 

The dates should reflect priority dates at which you will benchmark and evaluate the project.

 

 

6.     Do we need to address every strategic goal in the chart?

 

You need to check only the goals that apply to the objective you have written. There may not necessarily be a check for every strategic goal.

 

 

7.     How do we calculate in-kind resources?

 

The State Educational Technology Plan recommends that school districts spend 20-30% of their entire technology budgets on staff development. Research has shown that LEAs that provide that level of support find their teachers are much more comfortable using technology as a tool to meet their student's curriculum needs. To determine how much a LEA is expected to spend on staff development the following steps should be taken:

1.     List the amount provided by the Legislature through deposits into the State Technology Trust Fund (PRC15). Up to 12.5% of these funds may be spent towards staff development training.

2.     Determine the amount spent on all hardware (including peripherals), software, staff development, and connectivity purchased using other state dollars. These funds include Workforce Development.

3.     Determine the amount spent on all hardware (including peripherals), software, staff development, and connectivity purchased using federal dollars.

4.     Determine the amount spent on all hardware (including peripherals, software, staff development, and connectivity purchased using local dollars).

5.     Add all the amounts from the first four questions together and figure what 20 to 30% of that total would be.

6.     Now take all the dollar amounts used for staff development purchases and add them together. This is what we call direct purchases of staff development. What we have found is that most LEAs spend between 2.5% and 10% in direct purchasing of staff development.

7.     Where does a LEA come up with the additional staff development expenditures needed to meet the 20 to 30% figure? This is where in-kind spending for staff development is helpful. One of the most common methods of providing staff development for LEA employees is by using in-house trainers. These trainers may be products of either train-the-trainer programs, local staff development opportunities, or other avenues of trainer preparation. Examples of in-kind activities are as follows:

8.     Train-the-trainer instructors provide various classes for system personnel. Figure the number of contact hours.

9.     School-based technology contacts / specialists provide one-on-one and small group sessions during planned times or as just-in-time training opportunities.

10.  District level specialists / directors provide one-on-one and small group sessions during planned times or as just-in-time training opportunities.

11.  Volunteers from outside of the LEA may provide training.

12.  Expenses are incurred while attending conferences where technology sessions are provided.

13.  There is a downloadable Excel workbook that can be used to determine the amount of In-Kind dollars your LEA may use as part of the 20-30% requirement. The TCO workbook also contains the In-kind section as part of the overall TCO document.

 

 

8.     What is an appropriate adoption time to administer the required policies?

 

Not having policies in place that are required by law is an offense. Not having the policies in place can jeopardize funding and place your district at a liability.

 

 

9.     If I do not have the procedures and guidelines in place will this effect my plan getting approved?

 

Good procedures and guidelines only help to protect your LEA and allow for more effective and efficient operation of your program.

 

 

10.  Are we required to implement the procedures and guidelines listed in Appendix A?

 

The procedures and guidelines are highly recommended as each one relates directly to the required policies. You are not limited to only the procedures and guidelines listed in the chart. You should add additional procedures and guidelines that allow you to implement your program as effectively and efficiently as possible.

 

 

11.  Do we need to post our network diagrams online?

 

While the network diagrams are needed in the printed document, you should not post the diagrams in the online version.

 

 

12.  I am not responsible for the school safety issues. Do I need to address that section of my plan?

 

Your technology plan committee should have adequate representation from all effected areas of your organization to accurately address each component.

 

 

13.  How soon will we know that our technology plans are approved after we submit the plans on November 1, 2005?

 

After the plans are submitted, we will send any plans that do not need revisions to the NC State Board in February 2006.