The Challenge
The digital transformation of Kent County Public Schools
requires full system-wide integration of technology to fulfill KCPS’ new
mission to provide personal experiences within a collaborative
community of learners. To sustain this commitment, the strategic
technology plan focuses on digital classroom environments and
student-centered learning. The foundation of the plan is based on the
results of a rigorous survey of our current instructional practices
using Project 24’s national standards.
The survey results show that Kent County’s Overall Digital Learning
Readiness Score is 6.14 out of 10. The overall score is an average of
the scores earned in the areas of curriculum and instruction, use of
time, technology and infrastructure, data and assessments, academic
supports, professional learning, budgets, and resources. This score
places KCPS at the planning level for digital learning readiness as
indicated in Table 1.
Table 1
Digital Learning Readiness Level
|
Score
|
Investigating
|
1-3
|
Envisioning
|
4-5
|
Planning
|
6-7
|
Staging
|
8-10
|
School systems at the planning level of digital readiness have
established indicators based on a vision, set a baseline, and conducted a
gap analysis. The strategic technology plan satisfies the remaining
requirements of the planning level. Execution of the plan will allow
Kent County to move to the staging level and qualify the district as
ready for full implementation of digital curriculum, content and tools.
Current Technology in KCPS
Kent County Public Schools was awarded the Digital Learning
Innovation Grant in 2013-2014 for $400,000. This funding provided the
resources to begin Kent County’s digital transformation. Using these
grant funds, the following devices and subscriptions were purchased:
- 300 Chromebooks for elementary schools
- 170 iPads for Kent County Middle School
- 160 laptops for 9th graders at Kent County High School
- Gizmos math and science interactive simulations with onsite staff training
- Discovery Education 7th grade Science Techbook with onsite staff training
The Discovery Education partnership has since expanded to include
math, social studies, science, and health for students in grades 3-12 to
replace existing textbooks. The Discovery partnership also highlights
Kent County nationally as one of six districts to create a corps group
of digital learning teacher leaders. This Discovery Digital Learning
Corps is a 3-year commitment that includes 5 full days of professional
learning and five days of one on one coaching with Discovery’s content
specialists. At the end of the 3 years, a new group of teachers will
be selected to expand the program.
Kent County earned additional grant funds to purchase subscriptions
to Scholastic, Dreambox (adaptive math software) and Schoolnet (online
assessment system and data warehouse). Each of these products aligns
with KCPS’ core learning goal to put students first by providing them
individual learning experiences in a digital environment.
The Plan
The detailed feedback from the survey provided a clear direction for
Kent County Public Schools in the areas of assessment, academic support,
and infrastructure. The survey results served as the basis for
instructional goals. It is also essential to include the technological
goals for the administrative central office departments that support
instruction including human resources, finance, transportation,
foodservice, and environmental services. The goals for these
departments promote a paperless environment as well as creating more
efficient workflows. One example of this improved efficiency is the
merging of IT and maintenance into a unified support helpdesk.
Each department supervisor contributed strategic technological goals,
milestones, strategies, and evaluation tools to this plan. Items with a
fiscal impact were included from each department as well. Assessing
the fiscal needs of each central office department over a three-year
period will provide more accurate budget forecasts and time to explore a
variety of funding sources.
Download the full plan here (pdf version)
Download the full plan here (Word version)