Technology Program Evaluation

Johnson County Elementary School

Rana Winfrey
Spring 2015

Executive Summary
Johnson County Elementary School of Wrightsville, Georgia continues to strive to
provide technological access to all staff and students. Johnson County Elementary School has a
variety of technology responsibilities; however, they do not have a great deal of financial support
to be technologically up to date in those aspects. There is also limited staffing in the technology
area. Because of lack of funding and staffing, it difficult for the technology center to meet the
centers expectations of providing a quality education with technology integration. Johnson
County Elementary has room for improvement when the word technologically savvy is
mentioned as a foundation of education.

Organizational Chart

Methods
Information for this evaluation was gathered using interviews, observations, and emails with the
Technology Coordinator at Johnson County Elementary School (JCES) and the media specialist
at JCES. Some information was also gathered from the school website.
Center Context and Goals
Mission
The technology center mission is connected to the school system mission. The systems mission
it to prepare all Johnson County students to meet or exceed standards in order to graduate on
time and be college and career ready. The mission for technology use is to use technology to

assist in providing instructional programs for the clientele. Collaboration among participants
will provide direction, support, and leadership for the school system in securing technological
capabilities, provide professional staff development to certified personnel and paraprofessionals,
and promote constructive use of technology in multiple educational programs across the
curriculum according to state standards.
Goal
The goal of the JCES technology center is to provide the schools diverse student population
with equal opportunities to a quality education in preparation for a knowledge-based,
technologically rich, and culturally diverse twenty-first century.
Priorities

Expand school wide access to modern technology, online resources, and the Internet
To have interactive technologies in each classroom.
Use emerging technologies to improve instruction and student learning.
Use technology to remediate, reinforce, and enhance the learning of all students by providing

for a personalized educational program.

Provide access to technology for all learners.

History
Based on discussions with the Technology Coordinator, a detailed history of the center was not
available; however, he was able to give me a district technology breakdown that included the
instructional technology available for students, staff, and equipment.

Elementary School
o 240 Desktop Computers
o 10 Laptop Computers
o 20 Printers
o 1 Scanner

System
o 5 Digital Cameras
o SmartBoards and Mounted LCDs are available in all classrooms
o IPads are available for administrators and some Special Education students
o Document Camera available in all classrooms
o 10 sets of 25 Response Key Pads
o Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel , and Microsoft PowerPoint Software available in each
classroom
o Google Mail and Google Apps
o Printer Capabilities for each classroom
Printers are hosted in Grade Chair Classrooms, Main Office, Computer Labs, and
Media Center

Personnel
Current Positions include:

Charlie Lindsey Director of Technology, Facilities, and Transportation, and Student

Information / Technology Coordinator
o The Technology Coordinator oversees all duties described in technology center

organizational chart
Contracted Technology Support Technician
o The Contracted Technology Support Technician is shared with other surrounding
counties. The Contracted Technology Support Technicians job involves maintenance of

school hardware, software, and responding to HelpDesk requests.

Rebecca Thomas Superintendent of Johnson County School Sytstem
Charles Howard Principal at Johnson County Elementary School
Beth Martin Assistant Principal at Johnson County Elementary School
Sue Hall Media Specialist at Johnson County Elementary School
o Mrs. Hall manages the media center as well as the media program at JCES. She
provides media resources to the staff and students. Mrs. Hall also teaches Rotation

classes ranging from Kindergarten to fifth grade

Linda Pool Media Center Para-Professional

o Mrs. Pool assists the media center specialist and helps to provide media resources to the

staff and students as needed.

Becky Frost Pre-Kindergarten through Second Grade Instructional Coach
Nancy Meeks Third through Fifth Grade Instructional Coach
Other Stakeholders and Personnel
o Teachers
o Office Staff
o Parents / Guardians

Budget
A detailed budget summary was not available at the time of my observation. In previous years,
lottery funding had been the major factor in technology expansion and funding; however, the
technology coordinator mentioned that the Johnson County School System relies heavily on state
and federal funds to help with technology funding at this time. Also, the local Board of
Education is willing to help to further improvements in the technology area. He did inform me
that the monies that are budgeted to the technology area in the system is to provide reliable
Internet access, to provide maintenance on school servers and equipment, and to maintain
software systems that are available for our current technology. He also said that some of our
technology funding is acquired through SPLOST.
Technology Center Activities
Johnson County Elementary School is reviewing the use of technology in the classroom and has
set goals for the district to insure that all students are Technology Literate as they enter middle
school. By third grade, the students will be familiar with the keyboard and will become at ease
with software programs used for supplemental instruction. By fifth grade, students should be
comfortable with word processing. At this point, they should be typing papers and using the

correct hand placement proficiently. They should also be introduced to presentation software
and delivery using technology equipment.

Programs and Activities Carried Out by the Center:

o Typing Pal Third through fifth grade classes are using Typing Pal software to help the
students become familiar with the keys and strokes of the keyboard as well as to begin
learning the typing process. Students are monitored by a para-professional during their
rotation class in the computer lab once or twice a week.
o Professional Learning Professional learning is provided to faculty and staff on a needs
basis. It is usually conducted in the media center or a computer lab.
o Infinite Campus Faculty and staff use Infinite Campus as an online student information
system and grading system. Infinite is also used to oversee the exporting of grades and
printing of report cards. Our office staff manages the printing of report cards.
o IStation IStation is a computer based learning system used by students ranging from
Pre-kindergarten through fifth grades. The program delivers reading and math instruction.
It is monitored weekly by teachers in the computer labs and classrooms.
o OAS (Online Assessment System) OAS is used as a tool to assess student learning. It
completed in the computer labs during benchmark testing.
o HelpDesk HelpDesk is used by teachers as a way of communicating technology
requests and issues to the Technology Coordinator.

Evaluation
The technology center at Johnson County Elementary School has a wide range of tasks that
occur on a daily basis. Most of the technology center responsibilities were to be managed by an
assigned team of people. Those people included the Technology Director, the Contracted

Technology Support Technician, the Media Specialist, and the Media Clerk. Most of the
responsibilities seemed realistic. Even though there is room for improvement among technology
usage at JCES, it seems that technology practice is a growing obligation of teachers and students
in the school system.
The goals of the technology center is to use technologies to improve instruction and student
learning and provide technological access for all learners. The school seems to continue to
progress in the area of obtaining technology to enhance instruction; however, funding and
staffing seems to continue to be an issue. With funding and staffing being an issue, teachers and
students must put available resources to work to improve instruction and student learning.
Overall, the JCES technology center are fortunate to have the resources that they have, but it
seems as if they are not being utilized appropriately. Based on observations, I feel with more
support from the Technology Coordinator and more professional learning on technology that the
resources would be used more regularly and there would be a positive change in instruction and
learning.

Appendix A
Technology / Media Coordinator Job Description
TITLE:

Technology / Media Coordinator

QUALIFICATIONS:

1 Minimum Associates Degree in Computer Science or

equivalent
2 Preferred BS in Computer Sciences, or equivalent

3 Ability to troubleshoot skills on both MacIntosh, Windows, and

DOS based computers.
4 Previous experience with a variety of common software,
diagnostic programs, antivirus programs, back-up programs, web
browsers, Outlook
5 Demonstrated aptitude for creating and using technology
6 Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may
find appropriate and acceptable.

REPORTS TO:

Superintendent

JOB GOAL:

To coordinate and direct services and programs for district

technology; to use leadership, supervisory, and administrative
skills so as to promote the efficient use of district technology to
assist staff in meeting district educational goals; to help each
student obtain maximum benefit from the educational program by
diversifying as fully as possible the kinds of educational materials
and equipment used.

EVALUATION:

Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with

provisions of the Boards Policy on evaluation.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provides professional assistance to teachers in the planning, development, and use of

technology in the classroom.
2. Provides guidance to teachers, students, and administrators in their own creation and
preparation of multi-media.
3. Develops and administers professional development program for personnel.
4. Previews and evaluates innovative materials and methods of instruction.
5. Assists department groups, research committees, and curriculum workshops in developing
new approaches for instruction.
6. Assumes responsibility for budgeting, ordering, and inventorying acquired materials.
7. Keeps administration informed of the needs and services relating to technology.
8. Trains staff and students in the care and operation of equipment.
9. Coordinates with Media Specialists the automation of the libraries and multi-media
equipment.
10. Arranges for the maintenance and repair of equipment.

11. Conducts continuous evaluations of the effectiveness of multi-media software and hardware
in order that purchases may be made in a timely manner.
12. Interprets to the administration, the staff, and the public the objectives of the technology
program in the schools.
13. Any other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.
14. Responsible for planning and coordinating system technology initiative which includes
administrative and instructional uses.
a. Responsible for maintaining computer network and planning for network improvements
and upgrades.
b. Responsible for approving all hardware and software purchases.
c. Meets with system administrators to address technology issues.
15. Responsible for developing and submitting system technology plan to GADOE.
16. Responsible for collecting and submitting system technology inventory to GADOE.
a. Works with school media specialist in categorizing and collecting inventory data.
17. Serves as Media Director.
a. Works with media specialists to ensure that the media centers are functioning properly
and efficiently.
b. Serves on media advisory committees.
c. Approves all orders for the media centers.
18. Responsible for submitting Federal E-Rate grant application for possible reimbursement of
system telecommunications, internet access, and internal connection costs.
a. Upon grant approval, submits quarterly reports to Alltel, Bellsouth Telecommunications,
and AT&T Corporation for interpretation.
b. Upon grant approval, submits reports to Bellsouth Communication for reimbursement of
NEC Key Phone System equipment maintenance.
c. Upon grant approval, submits reports to select vendors providing internal connections
that include routers, switches, servers, and wireless connectivity for reimbursement.
19. Responsible for all maintenance on computer equipment to include classrooms, labs, and
administrative offices
a. Install, Maintain, and Support
i. Macintosh
ii. Windows98, XP, NT Server, Win2000, Win2000 Server, Win2003 Server
b. Total PC Repair
c. Install, Maintain, and Support all Software
i. Microsoft Office 97, 2000, XP
ii. All networked programs
1. Orchard
2. Cornerstone
3. Destination Reading
4. Renaissance Place
5. Spectrum
d. Install, Maintain, and Support all Software on Web Servers
e. Install, Maintain, and Support
i. Cisco Pix Firewall
ii. SLMail (Email System)
iii. Smartfilter (Internet content filtering software)

iv. ISA 2004 (Proxy Server)

f. Install, Maintain, and Support
i. Laser and Inkjet Printers
ii. Scanners
iii. Digital Cameras
iv. LCD Projectors
v. Copiers
20. Responsible for maintaining adequate inventory in the Technology Department
21. Serves as Title IID Competitive Grant Administrator and Manager
a. Responsible for the EdTech grants for the school system
b. Ensure that EdTech programs are implemented in the middle and elementary schools
according to GADOE guidelines.
c. Ensure that all required data is uploaded to GADOE
d. Arranges required professional learning/contracts for services
e. Attends all required EdTech training and conferences
f. Approves all EdTech requistitions.
g. Manages grant initiatives
h. Ensures grant compliance
i. Attends meetings relating to this grant
22. Serves as Title IID Non-Competitive Manager.