Nick Lopez

Professor Lubinsky
EDU 696K
29 October 2015
Reading Response #2:
Technology Plan Analysis
Part One: Rubric for Bedford Central School District Technology Plan
**Note: All comments in rubric should be seen as constructive criticism**
Criterion
Executive Summary
For the Bedford Central School District the executive is very
well written and gives a concise description of the four goals
that are going to be explained in the Technology Plan. Those
being: Student Literacy, Equitable Access, Digital Citizenship,
and Infrastructure and Support. They also do mention that
because technology is always advancing and transforming,
years two and three of the technology plan is tentative due to
change, and they will update as time goes on.
Identifies Contributors and Stakeholder Groups
Under the Key Stakeholders section found at the end of the
Technology plan there is only a list of members that are,
charged with developing, updating, and managing the
implementation of this plan. Overall this section is poorly
done since there is no description of anything, just a list of
members.
Vision Statement
The vision in the Executive Summary is easy to understand and
comprehend what the districts vision is. I like that it
establishes who is a apart of making the vision a reality but it
could talk more about instructional outcomes snice it mentions
they will use ISTEs standards.
Mission Statement
I would say the mission statement is lost somewhere in the
vision. It is not very clear on what the district will do to follow
through with the mission statement. Instead they focus on
saying that because technology is always changing everything
is tentative.
Goals
Im giving the goals section a meets expectations because

Exceeds

Meets

Does Not
Meet

goals sections is nicely written but is mostly improvement plan

based and loosely linked to equipment. No mention of what
instruments will be used.
Objectives
Objectives are all stated although at times a little vague and
could show a few more steps in certain places. It would have
been nice seeing clearer steps as found in the infrastructure &
support section.
Needs Assessment
Im not exactly sure if the districts Tech Plan has this section
completed. There are no Model Benchmark surveys, no
information from hardware resources. They state their PD
sessions but thats about it.
General Issues
District does a good job in addressing PD, tech support per
buildings, student access and replacing old tech with new
hardware and why the purpose behind that is. Room for
improvement would be to speak a little bit more about student
needs (Disabilities, ELL learners, etc.)
Conclusions and Recommendations
This section is poorly met because the district only talks about
how they will find the needs and who is to find them but
doesnt state what they are. It does layout when and how
often the steps to finding the needs will take place.
Acceptable Use Policy
Not Even Mentioned!
Technology and Learning Statement
The districts tech plan vaguely meets this requirement by
mentioning a few pieces of tech in current learning
environments but does not describe how they are used or how
they will be used to achieve instructional outcomes.
Technology Standards, Requirements, and Models for
Technology and Learning
Does not provide descriptions of any hardware/software or
standards of said hardware/software.
Staff Development
General Table of Professional Development with PD Activity,
Topic, Audience, and Method of Delivery provided. [See page
7]
Technical Support
Pages 11 & 12 (Planning Process and Evaluation / School
Technology Team Process) do a good job of detailing who will
provide guidance and support as well as annual building plans
of action to evaluate technology and more.
Projects, Budgets, and Timelines
Not Included

Clarity of Writing
Although this Tech Plan is missing a few items it overall written
very well. It is clear and concise what the district wants to
achieve and what they are trying to work towards. They do
have a few punctuation errors but they are minor. Overall tone
is very professional.
Part One: Follow Up Questions

What are the biggest positives and negatives about the existing plan?
o The biggest positives would be that they have everything written out really well
and its clean and concise. The negatives are pretty obvious in my opinion. They
speak a lot of what they want to do and explain why they are going to do it but a
lot of the how is left out. For example they mention just replacing switches. I
would like to have seen and explanation that describes how this will affect
learning environments and what standards it will comply with. Also they were
missing: Projects, Budgets, and Timelines section as well as the AUP section.

What changes would you make to the plan?

o I would start with adding the AUP & Project, Budgets and Timelines. As well as
touching up the areas that need a little more description in how the
implementation of Technology will add to Learning Environments, Faculty and
Staff, and Students. Then I would add a little more detail of what Hardware is
being added. I think this Tech Plan is a step away from exceeding expectations.

On the whole, do you feel that this plan accomplishes its goal?
o If the Tech Plan had the missing Items I believe it would have helped people see
the big picture, especially the Projects Budgets & Timelines Section.
Part Two: The Times They Are A-Changin (or maybe not)

What pieces of this article are still applicable now to what current technology plans need?
o I think most districts would agree that the pieces are still applicable to this
squeezing the technology that we do all for all its worth to make sure that we are
getting the most of our hardware. Also the other aspect that a district would find
applicable to a technology plan is the format of their Professional Development or
Inservice. I think their format is very solid and they really harp on exposing
teachers to the technology so that they are aware of the possibilities that can be at
their disposal.

What pieces of this article no longer apply to developing modern tech plans for school
districts?
o I think the pieces no longer apply are those in using old technology. They
typewriter Idea wouldnt work in a district I believe. I think today you do need to
spend a little more so that staff/faculty can see what is available so they can use it.
Also the Apply vs. IBM battle I dont think applies anymore. Overall I think the
vision in the reading is still applicable when in the development stages of a
Technology Plan for a District.