vernon Parish Moving forward August 2013, Volume 3

Louisiana Believes: ’s technology Footprint

www.louisianabelieves.com Improving education and technology Access

Improving educational outcomes and technology access for Louisiana students is a priority and a right for students in the 21st century. While assessments of student learning will soon be digital and computer-based, it is more life in the 21st century that makes technology-rich schools an imperative for students and educators alike.

Every child deserves a digitally-ready news for Louisiana, as more districts personalized learning opportunities school. Across the state, districts than ever before are ready to provide for students. Over the past year, have signaled their commitment to educators and students with the 19 districts have upgraded their making this necessity a reality by technology necessary to succeed managed network infrastructure to improving technology and broadband in the 21st century. Since the last 1 Gbps, and 13 districts expanded access within elementary and report, nearly twice the number their shared Internet broadband secondary schools. This commitment of districts has met the minimum capacity to 1 Gbps and allows their involves investments in computers, standard of 7 students to one device schools and students the capacity to software, school-based infrastructure, or 7:1. Importantly, 19 public school meet both testing requirements and and digital resources in addition districts have gone above and beyond learning requirements for 2014-15. to providing the professional this minimum to reach the excellent development necessary to ready standard of 5:1, providing more of Even with this impressive increase education systems for Louisiana their students than even before with in Internet bandwidth and network students’ technology needs. access to technology. One district, St. upgrades, only 12 districts meet James Parish, has exceeded all others 2014-15 Internet bandwidth This third edition ofLouisiana Believes: by meeting the national 1:1 ratio. To targets for daily learning, and Louisiana’s Technology Footprint serves meet these new ratios, public school only 27 districts meet 2014-15 as both a support tool for districts districts have upgraded or purchased network bandwidth requirements. and schools to analyze their current 62,512 devices over the past year. Additionally, none of Louisiana’s technology readiness status. It districts meet 2017-18 Internet provides up-to-date information for Districts have not only transformed bandwidth targets. The Department every school district and facility in student-to-device ratios, but they have of Education and districts alike the state on the status of technology also invested in major infrastructure will need to make Internet access devices and broadband capacity. upgrades to their Internet access a priority in the years to come if and network backbones in order to schools are to be equipped for the The third edition of these district provide applications and content 21st century. technology footprints offers great solutions required for enhanced

2 DEVICE PROGRESS

DISTRICTS MEETING EXCEEDING making Progress: MINIMUM DEVICE STANDARDS Statewide EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1:1 Student-to-Learning Device Ratio: St. James Parish Louisiana’s school districts are working to transform their classrooms with 3:1 Student-to-Learning Device Ratio: innovative technologies, expanded Internet access, robust networks, and Includes all 1:1 Districts and technology-enriched learning opportunities to engage students and improve Ascension Parish academic achievement. Over the past year, school districts across the state Cameron Parish have upgraded or purchased an additional 62,512 devices. Because of these Claiborne Parish East Baton Rouge Parish efforts, Louisiana now has 1,208 schools and 38 districts meeting minimum Iberville Parish technology device standards; up from 812 schools and 17 districts in January Plaquemines Parish 2013. In addition, a vast number of schools and districts have already St. Helena Parish upgraded their devices to exceed the minimum device specification, and 5:1 Student-to-Testing Device Ratio: many are going above and beyond, growing in each category of readiness. Includes all 3:1 Districts and Louisiana now has 24 districts that have exceeded minimum device standards Bienville Parish and have met 7:1, 5:1, 3:1 or 1:1 ratios; up from 6 districts in January 2013. Calcasieu Parish Caldwell Parish Over 86% of Louisiana public school students now attend a school that meets Catahoula Parish 7:1 minimum technology standards and 41% of schools have the minimum DeSoto Parish bandwidth needed to support online testing. Franklin Parish East Carroll Parish Louisiana has seen vast improvements from its initial baseline Jackson Parish St. Charles Parish readiness report in June 2012 to the Footprint’s second release West Feliciana Parish in January 2013 and the current third release in August 2013. Central Community Schools The following charts depict the state’s levels of success. 7:1 Student-to-Testing Device Ratio: Includes all 5:1 Districts and REDUCED RATIO OF STUDENT-TO-COMPUTERS IN SCHOOLS Sabine Parish In one year, schools have vastly reduced their student to computer ratios. St. Mary Parish Tangipahoa Parish Tensas Parish Report Total Recommended Device Specifications Vernon Parish Date Schools 7:1 Ratio 5:1 Ratio 3:1 Ratio 1:1 Ratio Reporting Fourteen districts in Louisiana have worked July 2012 1025 337 133 72 10 diligently to increase their student-to-device July 2013 1208 798 662 435 131 ratio to 7:1 but are still working to upgrade their devices from minimum specifications to meet the state’s recommended operating INCREASED NUMBER OF DISTRICTS GOING BEYOND THE system, memory and browser specifications. MINIMUM 7:1 RATIO OF STUDENT-TO-COMPUTERS Of these 14, eight districts (designated with Louisiana’s school districts are dedicated to ensuring their students have a *) are only 1 school away from exceeding the proper tools required for today’s 21st Century classroom these minimum device specifications. Districts meeting Minimum Minimum Recommended Device Device Standards Total Device Report Specifications Assumption Parish* Districts Specs Date Beauregard Parish Reporting 7:1 5:1 3:1 1:1 7:1 Ratio Bossier Parish Ratio Ratio Ratio Ratio Iberia Parish July 2012 61 2 2 0 0 0 Jefferson Davis Parish Red River Parish* January 69 17 9 5 5 0 Richland Parish 2013 St. John the Baptist Parish* July 2013 69 38 24 19 8 1 St. Tammany Parish September Union Parish* 9 11 6 0 0 2013* Washington Parish* Winn Parish* * Additional districts that have committed to reach new device ratios once they have Bogalusa City Schools* completed their summer device upgrades. Baker City Schools*

3 INCREASED STUDENT ACCESS TO DEVICES WITH MODERN BROADBAND SOFTWARE Districts have been working diligently to update old computers and purchase new PROGRESS laptops and tablets that meet Louisiana’s recommended device specifications.

DISTRICTS MEETING 2014-15 YEAR Total Schools Minimum Device Recommended Device Reporting Specifications Specifications INTERNET LEARNING TARGETS July 2012 61 231,269 66,326 Bogalusa City Schools Central Community Schools July 2013 69 42,813 128,838 City of Monroe School District DeSoto Parish East Carroll Parish EXPANDED INTERNET CAPACITY Franklin Parish Number of districts that have met 7:1 minimum and 7.1, 5:1, 3.1 and 1.1 target Iberville Parish student to device ratios. Madison Parish St James Parish Total Testing Targets 2014-15 2017-18 St. Helena Parish Report Schools Learning Learning St. Mary Parish Date 7:1 5:1 3:1 1:1 Tensas Parish Reporting Ratio Ratio Ratio Ratio Target Target July 2012 61 17 12 2 2 2 0 DISTRICTS MEETING 2014-15 NETWORK BANDWIDTH July 2013 69 37 32 22 12 12 0 LEARNING TARGET

Acadia Parish DISTRICT NETWORK CAPACITY Allen Parish Louisiana’s districts have been strategically upgrading their network Ascension Parish infrastructure to support testing and are now working to support expanded Assumption Parish learning opportunities and 1:1 environments. Beauregard Parish Caddo Parish Cameron Parish Total Testing Targets 2014-15 2017-18 Report East Baton Rouge Parish Schools Learning Learning Date 7:1 5:1 3:1 1:1 East Carroll Parish Reporting Target Target Franklin Parish Ratio Ratio Ratio Ratio Iberville Parish July 2012 61 36 28 17 13 12 0 Madison Parish July 2013 69 55 47 32 27 27 1 Monroe City Schools Bogalusa City Schools Central Community Schools Lafayette Parish The following is a list of major advancements and successes of Louisiana’s public Red River Parish school districts based on data collected in June 2013. It should be noted that many Richland Parish of Louisiana’s school districts were planning major upgrades enhancements to be Sabine Parish implemented in the summer and early fall of 2013. Some of those changes are St. John the Baptist Parish captured here within this volume of the footprint, while others will be included in St. Mary Parish Tensas Parish the release Fall 2013/Winter 2014 footprint release. Terrebonne Parish Vermilion Parish • A total of 69 public school districts submitted data relative to their technology Vernon Parish readiness. All districts and charter operators will be required to submit data Washington Parish for the fall 2013 data collection which is set to end on December 13, 2013. Zachary Community Schools Districts and schools must be prepared for both expanded and enhanced state online testing starting in August 2014. DISTRICT MEETING 2017-18 NETWORK BANDWIDTH • A total of 37 public school districts now have enough devices to meet the LEARNING TARGET minimum readiness standard compared to 5 in 2012. Ouachita Parish • A total of 26 districts, up from 8 districts in July 2012, now meet 2014-15 network bandwidth requirements and a total of 12 districts, up from 2 districts in July 2012, now meet 2014-15 Internet bandwidth targets.

4 STUDENT ACCESS TO DEVICES IN YOUR DISTRICT

Over the past year the Louisiana strides in obtaining new devices and as well as strive to meet the more Department of Education has worked upgrading old devices to meet the distinguished 5:1, 3:1 and 1:1 ratios with schools and districts across the newly recommended standards for for learning and testing at all of its state to communicate the essential testing and student learning. Vernon school sites. need for all schools to have adequate Parish schools are to be commended technology resources to support online for their diligent and conscientious The Vernon Parish School Board is assessment and 21st century learning work that resulted in 19 out of 19 encouraged to continue planning environments. These communications schools meeting the recommended 7:1 and expanding their digital footprint and observations have heightened technology specifications for testing efforts in support of higher academic awareness of technology’s influence and 15 out of 19 schools meeting achievement. In support of Vernon to support school transformation. As the recommended 5:1 technology Parish schools, the state will continue a result, the state has continued to specifications for testing. Vernon to support and provide biannual support districts in transitioning to the Parish schools have a total of 1,612 footprint updates to assist districts and minimum device requirements and devices meeting state recommended schools in their device and technology beyond, such as the recommended specifications and 1,631 devices readiness efforts. standard of 5-students-per- meeting minimum specifications with instructional computer. Many districts an overall district student-to-device On the following page, a detailed have set the bar even higher with plans ratio of 2.0:1. Based on this data chart provides a breakdown of devices to progress to the excellent standard of and assuming the district maintains that meet recommended technology 3-students-per-instructional computer its current device levels and student standards and devices that meet the or to the nationally-recommended population, Vernon Parish has met the state’s minimum device specifications model of 1:1 student-per-instructional minimum 7:1 testing ratio for devices compared to the student-to-computer computer. running the recommended technology ratios needed for online testing and specifications in all of its schools. The digital learning. This information is Since the initial District Technology district should work toward upgrading meant to inform and guide districts Footprint release in July 2012, Vernon and procuring devices that meet the and schools in their device readiness Parish schools have made great recommended device specifications efforts.

5 Device Needs by School

Min Recommeded Tech Technology Specs Specifications School Name 7:1 7:1 5:1 3:1 1:1 T otal D evices for testing (7:1) for testing (5:1) minimum specs Ratio Ratio Ratio Ratio Ratio recommended specs T otal S tudent esters T otal D evices needed T otal D evices needed T otal devices meeting T otal devices meeting

Anacoco High School 345 137 45 90 49 69 0 0 0 25 255 East Leesville Elementary School 0 132 105 27 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Evans High School 291 163 80 82 42 58 0 0 0 15 209 Hicks High School 260 137 49 88 37 52 0 0 0 0 172 350 213 122 89 50 70 0 0 0 28 261 804 239 97 142 115 161 0 0 19 126 662 Leesville Junior High School 468 233 161 71 67 94 0 0 23 85 397 Pickering Elementary School 511 233 128 104 73 102 0 0 0 66 407 Pickering High School 586 179 21 158 84 117 0 0 0 37 428 349 238 129 109 50 70 0 0 0 7 240 South Polk Elementary School 293 131 81 50 42 59 0 0 9 48 243 498 156 49 105 71 100 0 0 0 61 393 Simpson High School 263 139 54 84 38 53 0 0 0 4 179 Vernon Middle School 459 188 120 68 66 92 0 0 24 85 391 West Leesville Elementary School 281 207 30 176 40 56 0 0 0 0 105 Rosepine Elementary School 434 209 143 64 62 87 0 0 23 81 370 Anacoco Elementary School 289 144 83 60 41 58 0 0 0 36 229 North Polk Elementary School 0 125 116 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Vernon Parish Optional Program 13 27 2 25 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 DEVICE SPECIFICATIONS

Recommended Device Specifications Minimum Device Specifications All Devices (Minimum & Recommended) Desktop, Laptop, Netbook & Thin Client/VDI Desktop, Laptop, Netbook & Thin Client/VDI Connectivity: Operating Systems: Operating Systems: Wired or wireless access to the Internet Windows 7 or newer Windows XP – Service Pack 3 or newer Screen Size: Mac OS 10.7 or newer Mac OS Mac OS 10.5 or newer 9.5 inch screen size or larger Linux (Ubuntu 11:10, Fedora 16 or Linux (Ubuntu 9-10, Fedora 6) Screen Resolution: newer) Chrome OS 19 1024 x 768 resolution or better Chrome OS 19 or newer Memory: Input Device Requirements*: Memory: 512 MB of RAM Keyboard & Mouse/Touchpad 1 GB of RAM (preferably 2 GB of RAM) Headphone and Microphone Requirements: Tablets: • Headphones/earphones and microphones Tablets: Operating Systems: are required for all students taking the Operating Systems: Android 4.0 English Language Arts/Literacy Speaking Android 4.0 Apple iPad 2 running iOS 6, and Listening Assessment Apple iPad 2 running iOS 6, Windows 8 Pro or newer • Headphones/earphones are required for Windows 8 Pro or newer Memory: students using text to speech or other Memory: 1 GB of RAM or greater auditory accommodations. 1 GB of RAM or greater • Microphones are required for students using speech to text accommodations.

*The input device must allow students to control an on-screen cursor to point, click, drag, and select an area. The input device must allow students to enter letters, numbers, and symbols and shift, tab, return, and backspace. 21ST CENTURY NETWORKS FOR 21ST CENTURY SCHOOLS IN YOUR DISTRICT

As Louisiana’s school districts continue will assist schools in meeting the new limitations, Vernon Parish has already to implement more rigorous standards recommended broadband targets embarked on a strategic plan to expand and assessments, districts also need advanced by the State Educational their Internet access and to work toward to develop, operate and expand their Technology Directors Association meeting the recommended Internet managed information technology (SETDA) in its May 2012 publication, access targets required to deliver networks to provide a wide array of The Broadband Imperative: innovative technologies that support educational content and services to Recommendations to Address K-12 and extend many different teaching and ensure that all students can benefit Education Infrastructure Needs; as learning styles. from the opportunities provided by well as the new ConnectED Initiative digital technologies. Managed networks announced in June 2013. Vernon Parish schools, like most connect schools together via a secure other schools in Louisiana, have been data network, offering high levels of Broadband Access faced with the financial challenges service quality and support. Managed associated with budgeting and paying networks can also enable schools to The Vernon Parish School Board is for the growing costs of providing access cheaper and faster Internet over working toward providing application sufficient bandwidth to its schools. more reliable connections than many delivery and content solutions to In order to meet future educational Louisiana schools are using today. accommodate a curriculum for which demands, the district will need new many components are offered through or other viable cost effective options Understanding access to high-speed the local network and on the Internet. for acquiring expanded Internet and broadband and a reliable network In the past, Vernon Parish schools’ telecommunications access. Expanded backbone is vital a component Internet bandwidth has been one of the access for schools is not only a challenge of Pre-Kindergarten to 12 school root causes for limiting the expansion for the district, but is also a challenge infrastructure, the state in partnership and distribution of online productivity facing both the state and the nation. with districts and schools must begin resources, media rich educational New delivery options and funding long-term plans for implementing materials, expanded learning are currently under discussion in sustainable and expandable technology opportunities, and tools for data-driven Washington but these changes could infrastructures to support the state’s classroom decisions to the district’s take years to enact. In the short term, students and classroom. These plans 3243 computers. To remedy these Vernon Parish will need to work with the state to develop a viable state-wide plan for broadband expansion and School Internet & Network Recommendations adoption that can benefit both its Broadband Access for Teaching, 2014-15 2017-18 schools and its students both at home Learning, and School Operations School Year Target School Year Target* and in class. An external Internet connection to the At least 100 Mbps per At least 1 Gbps per Internet service provider (ISP) 1,000 students/ staff 1,000 students/staff Vernon Parish currently has 100 Mbps

Internal wide area network (WAN) to 1 Gbps of Internet access for its 19 At least 1 Gbps per 1,000 At least 10 Gbps per connections from the district to each school schools. To meet initial Internet testing students/staff 1,000 students/staff and among schools within the district bandwidth targets, Vernon Parish will

7 need to provide a minimum overall Internet bandwidth of online repository of learning tools. Teachers are designing 139 Mbps to test at a 7:1 ratio assuming 100 kbps per student higher quality work for students and achieving greater test taker within each of its schools. Vernon Parish will need student engagement and improved scholastic performance. to provide an overall Internet bandwidth of 9701 Mbps Vernon Parish believes that blending online education with based on the SETDA recommended 100 Mbps per 1,000 the traditional classroom is not an alternative way to design students’ digital classroom learning target. For more details on school but the very future of education itself. the bandwidth needs at the various ratios, see the Estimated School Bandwidth Needs chart included in this footprint. Vernon Parish is continually upgrading and enhancing its managed network to provide students with quality stable Network Access wired and wireless connectivity options. The district now offers a 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps Internet connection for all Vernon Parish is dedicated to improving student its school sites, as well as a 1 Gbps local area network achievement through technology-enriched learning (LAN) connection within each of its schools. In order for opportunities that engage students to ask questions and the district to continue to meet future networks demands, utilize tools to facilitate real-world problem solving. The the district needs additional funding and cost effective district uses technology not just to do the same things options for acquiring and expanding network access and more efficiently, but also to develop engaging learning connectivity not only within its schools and district, but activities in the classroom. It is Vernon Parish’s objective also to other educational institutions and resources both to transform classrooms with innovative technologies that in-state and out-of-state. support and extend many different teaching and learning styles. Each school’s network provides access to a wealth of Vernon Parish will need to provide an average 1 Gbps productivity resources, media and educational materials, WAN connection per school site to meet recommended expanded learning opportunities, and tools for data-driven 2014-15 student digital classroom-learning targets and classroom decisions. Similarly, teachers using web-based an average 10 Gbps WAN connections to meet 2017-18 streaming audio and real-time video applications have been targets. Final network requirements for Louisiana’s End- very successful in keeping students more engaged. Teachers of-Course tests and PARCC’s tests will be released in participate in on-going professional development to September and October 2013, respectively. The district will experiment, initiate, and create new models of teaching and need to ensure it has adequate bandwidth to meet these learning for today’s dynamic and changing curricula. new testing requirements when released. For more details on the network needs per school, see the Estimated School All classroom computers are part of the school network, Bandwidth Needs chart included in this footprint. and all schools are connected to the district’s managed network infrastructure. Teachers throughout the district A Note on Facility and Testing can share resources, activities, and assessments through an Environments Bandwidth Usage in Schools Currently data is not being collected on facility readiness or Bandwidth capacity to provide or sustain the increased infrastructure Online Activity required (per requirements of digital learning. Districts should begin to student) assess their schools and document needed upgrades, expansions Email and Web Browsing 500 kbps and concerns including, but not limited to space planning, VoIP (Voice over IP) 500 kbps furniture, wiring and power to accommodate testing as well as Online Learning 250 kbps future digital learning needs. Facility needs should be included Audio Streaming 100 kbps in the district’s overall strategic plan for improving schools as Online Assessment for each Student 250 kbps well as in their technology improvement plans. School Portal 250 kbps The Department will be providing guidance on secure testing TV-Quality Video Streaming to a Desktop 700 kbps environments in future footprints and does not recommend Basic Video Conferencing 1 mbps that districts create new, permanent labs that will be used HD Video Conferencing and Tele-learning 4 mbps solely for testing. Testing is just a small part of the school year; HD-quality Video Streaming 4 mbps therefore, schools and the technology within schools should be Interactive Online Learning Games 1 mbps designed and used for optimal learning. Two-way Online Gaming in HD 4 mbps

8 With a robust network backbone, teachers throughout the district and throughout the state can share resources, activities and assessments through online learning tools.

9 ESTIMATED SCHOOL BANDWITH NEEDS

Internet Bandwidth SETDA Recommended Needed for Testing Internet Targets Total 7:1 Ratio 5:1 Ratio 1:1 Ratio 2014-15 2017-18 School Name Students (mbps) (mbps) (mbps) (mbps) (mbps) Parish Totals 9701 135 189 947 970.1 9701

Anacoco High School 345 5 7 34 34.5 345 East Leesville Elementary School 521 7 10 51 52.1 521 Evans High School 397 6 8 39 39.7 397 Hicks High School 344 5 7 34 34.4 344 Hornbeck High School 450 6 9 44 45 450 Leesville High School 804 11 16 79 80.4 804 Leesville Junior High School 468 7 9 46 46.8 468 Pickering Elementary School 904 13 18 88 90.4 904 Pickering High School 586 8 11 57 58.6 586 Pitkin High School 507 7 10 50 50.7 507 South Polk Elementary School 491 7 10 48 49.1 491 Rosepine High School 498 7 10 49 49.8 498 Simpson High School 323 5 6 32 32.3 323 Vernon Middle School 459 6 9 45 45.9 459 West Leesville Elementary School 424 6 8 41 42.4 424 Rosepine Elementary School 830 12 16 81 83 830 Anacoco Elementary School 531 7 10 52 53.1 531 North Polk Elementary School 792 11 15 77 79.2 792 Vernon Parish Optional Program 13 0 0 1 1.3 13 Vernon Central Office 14 0 0 1 1.4 14

10 IT AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAff IN YOUR DISTRICT Districts that properly plan, train and staff their testing support team will be better prepared to ensure test security and success.

Districts and schools should plan on having adequate staff who can serve in the following roles: test monitor/proctor, school test coordinator, school technology coordinator, district test coordinator, and district technology coordinator. In addition Concern Reported by Parish Schools Relative to Staffing to these staff, key technical resources should be identified and prepared to provide Levels of Information schools support during all testing windows. Technical resources could include: the Technology and Test network administrator, Internet service provider and desktop support administrators. Administration Staff All staff assigned to support testing should be properly trained (and appropriately staffed).

Through the state’s survey, public schools across Vernon Parish were asked about their concern relative to school/district staffing levels for information technology and testing administration technical assistance staffing levels; as well as their concern levels relative to training and technical knowledge of test administration and information technology staff. The charts, on the right, details the responses provided by the schools. Sufficient Technical Sufficient Information Assistance (TA) Staff Technology (IT) Staff As staffing and training plans are developed, districts should not forget to create ■ Negligible Concern (1-3) ■ Slight Concern (4-5) ■ Moderate Concern (6-7) ■ High Concern (8-10) internal reporting protocols for escalating technical problems during the testing windows. Until further guidance is provided, it is recommended that districts use the same protocols set forth for End-of-Course testing. This will provide both the district and schools with a familiar, proven process for handling, reporting and managing Concern Reported by Parish testing issues and technical problems that could potentially arise. Schools Relative to Knowledge and Training Levels of EOC Reporting Protocol Information Technology and Test Administration Staff

EOC Tests Help Desk District Test Coordinator Pacific Metrics Student Test LDOE Coordinator District Teacher Technology Coordinator TA Student TA’s have TA’s have IT staff IT staff sufficient sufficient have have technical training sufficient sufficient knowledge technical training knowledge

■ Negligible Concern (1-3) ■ Slight Concern (4-5) ■ Moderate Concern (6-7) ■ High Concern (8-10)

11 Support Options

The Louisiana Department of Technology Planning computer peripherals, devices, and Education (LDOE) is committed support; network hardware and to supporting districts in achieving LDOE will be working with LEAs to support; technology services; and all of the technology readiness goals develop a new technology plan template telecommunication products and in all schools across the state. The as well as benchmark measurements, services) are created, LDOE will publish Department will continue to provide assessment tools and guides, budgeting purchasing information and costs in the new and expanded technology support and training plans, sample policies, and Connections Catalog. and services based on district needs and tips/best practice information from requests. fellow districts. Districts and schools Infrastructure Design & will be able to use these resources to Guidance Below is a list of the initial services that develop a long-term strategic roadmap the state would like to implement. for meeting technology readiness Through LDOE’s newly created goals, Connect ED goals, E-Rate TAT groups, the state will work to Technology Assistance Teams requirements and most importantly assist LEAs with additional resources (TAT) educational goals. for designing new or upgraded infrastructure designs to support Technology Assistance Teams will be State Contracts technology goals. This will include, but comprised of LEA staff members who is not limited to, bringing in private are willing to serve in both an advisory With information and guidance partners and other agencies to work and support capacity for developing from TAT groups, the state will collaboratively on creating the best and implementing technology policies work to create statewide technology design to meet the specific needs of and plans in both their district and contracts and private partnerships a school and/or district based on its across the state. This team will meet which provide significant discounts particular educational direction and at a regular intervals to assist the state and expanded services for LEAs and services. This team will also provide in determining its needs, direction schools. The first contracts to be training and support options that are and solutions for meeting technology created have been laptop, desktop, and tailored to the district needs. procurement, training, planning and tablet computers. As new products funding requirements in the classroom. or services (e.g. computer software;

12

Louisiana Believes: Louisiana’s technology Footprint

Louisiana Department of Education

1201 North Third Street Baton Rouge, LA 70802-5243

Toll Free: (877) 453.2721 Fax: (225) 234-9876 Email: [email protected] www.louisianabelieves.com