Description of Service To Be Provided by BOCES

Through the coordination of NERIC staff, districts participate in shared instructional technology workshops designed specifically for teachers.  Cooperative workshops are developed for teachers by teachers from a variety of schools.  Sessions focus on teachers sharing their knowledge in technology and curriculum integration.

Service Delivery Standards

The district must have hardware to use for training purposes and must provide the software in support of the training requested. Hardware used in this service is IBM, Hewlett Packard, Macintosh; local area networks as per configuration standards of the NERIC using Ethernet or token ring topologies. A school owned voice telephone connection is required for dial-up access to the NERIC or a dedicated telecommunications connection can be used. Connectivity is required for sharing information, downloading data, help desk assistance and curriculum support. Dial up circuits will need to bypass the school switchboard. Appropriate hardware, software and telecommunication must be in place to access the Internet.

Eligibility and Prerequisites

This program is available to all school districts in the service area. Internet access is a prerequisite for the service. The superintendent and school board of the participating district must make a commitment to the service. Administrative support will be demonstrated by the school district:

1. Providing the professional staff with time to participate in the training and follow-up activities.
   
   
2. Assigning a facilitator for the district. This position can be filled by a teacher with a reduced workload, the district computer coordinator or a district administrator. It is more important that this person be strong in curriculum and instructional strategies rather than technology or computer instruction, although some technical background is useful.
   
   
3. Assisting with the development of a yearly training plan as approved by district’s designated instructional supervisor.
   
   
4. Districts must prepare and evaluate information in support of the Shared Learning Objectives each year as determined by the Advisory Committee.

A. Needs which the Service will meet:

This service will provide districts with affordable and comprehensive staff development options for their teachers and staff. The focus of all programs will be to provide participants with skills in dealing with technology and curriculum, thus enabling them to incorporate technology in the classroom as an integral teaching tool. An essential element of all training will be the understanding and appropriate integration of the NYS Learning Standards, nationally identified "best practices," and performance assessment into classroom use.

B. Planning Process for Development of Service:

The Planning for this service has been ongoing since its inception. As a result of BOCES-wide strategic planning, work by component Chief School Officers, district technology coordinators, Model Schools participants and NERIC staff during the 1996-97 and 1997-98 school year, this service will be delivered in collaboration with the Instructional Support unit of the School Support Services division. These cooperative efforts have been tested in the areas of technology planning, designing staff development activities and district assessment and evaluation. The revised model for delivering future Model Schools services is:

1. The Model Schools Advisory Council develops training and curricular focus annually, based on prior assessments and evaluations. The Advisory Council is made up of representatives from participating member schools. It is the primary focus group for program development. The Council will meet at least three times during the year. In addition to assisting with planning, the group will assist in the development of the Shared Learning Objectives, the identification and creation of promising multi-district educational technology applications for use in the classrooms, and area for evaluation.
   
   
2. School districts request services from the Northeastern Regional Information Center of the Capital Region BOCES by sending a commitment letter to their local BOCES with a copy to the Director of the NERIC. Districts must have a technology plan in place or work with the NERIC technology planner to complete a comprehensive technology plan prior to the delivery of services.
   
   
3. An initial planning meeting will be scheduled with the Model Schools liaison and other appropriate district personnel. The purpose of this meeting is to develop a customized training and technology plan for the district.

C. Measurable Goals and Objectives of the Service:

1. Districts will have a customized staff development plan, which integrates technology into classroom instruction.
   Each year a planning session will be held with districts to develop a customized training plan based on a district needs assessment. Whenever possible, this plan will incorporate the Shared Learning Objectives for the region and other appropriate staff development standards or best practices. In each subsequent year a planning session will be held with the district to revise the customized district training plan. This will be done in accordance with the training option(s) selected.
   
   
2. Districts will have accurate information, trained teaching professionals, appropriate resources and support as they develop and implement local plans for technology and curriculum integration.
   Coordination of training sessions (workshops) will be the responsibility of staff headquartered at NERIC. This staff includes the Model Schools Coordinator, the technology planner and other paid consultants. Training options (i.e. on-site, centralized) are developed and delivered based upon individual district needs. Written materials including training schedules, agenda, attendance sheets and evaluation forms will be developed and maintained by the NERIC Training unit. Resources developed as a result of the service will be available to participants in either paper or electronic format. Districts will be encouraged to take advantage of the many electronic resources that appear as links from the Shared Learning Objectives web page. These resources include on-line peer-to-peer exchange of information (E-mail), course reference materials, links to school homepages and student projects as well as a database of curricular projects identified by grade level, NYS Learning Standards, outcomes and software support documentation.
   
   
3. In conjunction with the approved activities of the Shared Learning Objectives service, districts will plan for the purchase of appropriate hardware and software for instructional applications based on regional standards reflecting cost efficient planning and tested applications.
   In support of its technology plan and through the Shared Learning Objectives service, a district will make hardware and software purchases that support their instructional technology plan. In the area of staff development, the district will provide the software, class list (enrollees) and training facility, or will use a central training location. Purchase of software listed on the NERIC Instructional Software Standards will be eligible for aid as part of the Shared Learning Objectives service.
   
   
4. Consultation and support will be offered to districts to ensure that staff development results in nationally identified best classroom practices and opportunities to share these practices among districts.

   A component of the service will be the coordination of sharing and learning experiences for districts of "like needs." Additionally, as districts conduct other instructional assessments and identify deficiencies in specific areas, BOCES staff will work with them to develop services that are effective and cost efficient means for improving student performance.

1. Trainers will report general proficiency in the use of technology application or concepts that participants are trained to use. Program participants will conduct an annual summary evaluation as well as an assessment of each individual training session. Resulting data will demonstrate progress on a continuum of technological skills and classroom integration of technology.
   
   
2. Trainers will report that they have made specific progress in attaining either District Goals or Shared Learning Objectives for technology use. A self-evaluation will be used to monitor effectiveness and individual improvement. Resulting data will be displayed on a technology skill continuum.
   
   
3. Trainers will report on the quality of delivery of the staff development offerings. A self-evaluation will be used to monitor effectiveness and individual improvement. Resulting data will be displayed on a technology skill continuum.
   
   
4. Based on the effectiveness of each session, material developed by teachers (i.e. exemplars) and peer review will demonstrate improvement in resources developed by service participants. Access to these materials will be documented through references in trainings as well as a guest book and counter on the Shared Learning Objectives Web page.

The Model Schools Coordinator and the NERIC training staff will work with school districts on the design, implementation and evaluation of all of the activities offered under this service. Staff from the School Support Services division will consult and work with BOCES and school district staff on related instructional areas, such as curriculum design and the integration of "best teaching practices" with technology applications.

Districts may request aid on expenditures made by the districts for qualified Model Schools activities. To apply for consideration of aid on teacher stipends and substitutes, districts must complete and submit the Model Schools reimbursement form twice a year. On an annual basis, the NERIC, in consultation with the Advisory Council, will establish uniform rates for teacher stipends and substitutes across all districts in the service. BOCES will reimburse districts at this current BOCES rate. Qualified expenses for successive shared Model Schools events are aidable. Aid is based on shared participation and investment. NERIC will verify participation and attendance of teachers at Model Schools events by keeping signed attendance forms and substitute information on file in the training unit at the NERIC.

On an annual basis, the NERIC, in consultation with the Advisory Council, will establish uniform rate and qualifications guidelines for consultant/trainer expenses. BOCES will reimburse consultants according to the terms outlined in these uniform guidelines. Qualified expenses for successive shared Model Schools events are aidable. Aid is based on shared participation and investment. NERIC will verify participation and attendance of teachers at Model Schools events by keeping signed attendance forms and substitute information on file in the training unit at the NERIC. To apply for reimbursement, consultants must complete and submit the Model Schools reimbursement form to the Model Schools coordinator.

Instructional Technology Training and Coordination

Schools that are involved in the planning, implementation and delivery of instructional programs through the Shared Learning Objectives service will be considered participants in the base service for the Model Schools service.

Working with the Model Schools Coordinator and other NERIC/BOCES staff as needed, school districts will develop an annual plan and assessment model to meet the district’s staff development needs. BOCES staff will recommend modifications for the district’s customized staff development plan. Participating districts will be entitled to membership on the Advisory Council. The base service also includes basic telephone and help desk support, training program coordination, an annual site visit from the Model Schools Coordinator and planning time.

An additional component of the base service is the Master Teacher Training workshops. Under this activity

• A series of shared workshops with multi-districts participation will be coordinated by BOCES.
  
  
• Teachers will be hired to conduct these workshops at districts’ requests, offering shared and/or sequential sharing and training.
  
  
• Staff development strategies and programs will be developed that most effectively and efficiently train teachers in using technology to enhance instruction.
  
  
• Lesson plans or project reports will be collected by the workshop instructor as required by each district. These will show that instruction has been enhanced by the application of technology.
  
  
• Curriculum efforts will be coordinated for specific subject or topic areas.
  
  
• Facilitators’ meetings will be provided for districts. Some of these meetings may be held electronically.
  
  
• Lesson Development-Projects, which reference statewide curriculum frameworks and are deemed noteworthy by the district or by the instructor may be submitted to the NERIC for use on the NERIC HOME PAGE http://www.neric.org. Click on the SLO button.

Additional Training Options

1. Centralized Trainings

This service offers districts the opportunity to choose from a schedule of events held in central locations.  The option allows individual district staff needs to be met at a reasonable cost.

Half day
Full day

   2. Technology Planning

District Technology Study provides a district with a comprehensive five-year technology plan in a matter of three to five days. Coverage of all areas from initial survey, needs assessment, implementation, and presentations. This is designed for the district technology committee to participate in conjunction with a NERIC staff member.

   3. District Instructional Coordinator

Cost includes the services of an itinerant NERIC staff person as a district coordinator for technical/training/planning tasks as determined by the district. The coordinator may schedule some preparation and consultation time with other staff members at the NERIC.

  4. Technology Training- Special Programs

This activity involves the design, implementation and delivery of training programs of a specialized, technical nature carried out over a finite, limited time period. Program topics will be approved by the Model Schools Advisory Council. Cost includes coordination services provided by NERIC staff as well as cost for specific technical training and planning tasks as defined in a program delivery prospectus and budget.

  5. On Site Training

The basis for cost varies according to the level of service requested. The cost for the base service is a flat fee based on size of teaching staff. Centralized training, technology planning and on-site training are based on a per diem charge. The District Instructional Coordinator and Special Programs cost are based on the actual cost of supplying the services, divided by the number of participating districts.

NERIC staff is prepared to train service participants on, and technically supports the software listed in the Instructional Networking Service and Shared Learning Objectives. Under the Shared Learning Objectives service, NERIC will purchase any of the software listed below when authorized by the participating district as a part of the service. Additional software packages will be tested, approved and added to this list, based on the requests of participating districts. NERIC staff is prepared to provide staff development on a number of other packages; however, purchase of other software should be done directly by the district.

Staff from component districts in the Northeastern Regional Information Center and BOCES staff will formulate a central advisory committee. This group will cooperatively plan the Model Schools Technology Planning and Implementation service.

Additionally, this steering committee will assist the BOCES in formulating an annual recommendation concerning the district cost of the service. These recommendations are subject to approval by the Regional Advisory Committee on Computer Services and the Joint Management Team.

BOCES staff will insure compliance of the service plan with all applicable law, regulation, COSER Criteria Guidelines, and NERIC hardware/software standards. Further, the BOCES will keep such records as will enable it to certify such compliance.

District Responsibilities

Each district participating in the service will assist the BOCES in developing the annual service plan as described in the Model Schools Service Prospectus. This will include, at minimum, designating a District Model Schools Facilitator and allowing sufficient release time for the coordinator and BOCES staff. The individual responsible for instruction in the district must oversee the development of the training plan.

The district will demonstrate its commitment to the annual district plan with its commitment of the appropriate staff and fiscal resources necessary to complete its annual service plan. Part of this commitment will be participation on the regional service steering committee as requested.

Adoption of Annual Service Plan

Following joint development of the district’s annual service plan by the BOCES Model Schools Coordinator and the district’s planning team, the plan will be presented to the district for acceptance by the instructional supervisor of a participating district.

The plan will be modified during the service year by mutual agreement between the BOCES and the district as circumstance requires or opportunities suggest.