1. As emerging technology continues to dictate the way we
function in this global society, there is a growing need to
restructure our education system . This transformation requires
an infrastructure that would make learning opportunities
available to learners, educators and administrators regardless of
location or time. Efforts are in place to help meet this challenge.

2. The explosion of new technologies into society changes the way
education is viewed. This includes even the basic assumption
that teachers are the communicators of learning. Through
technology, the new techno savvy learners now have
opportunities to share in this communication process.

3. Through technology, learning and communication in the
classroom is no longer just top-down but is now circular and
even extends outside the classroom. To funnel growth for this
transformation, districts must find ways to support connectivity.
Students
Teachers
Teachers Students

4. Because this transformation is a huge undertaking for local
districts, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
implemented the E-Rate discount program administered by the
(USAC) Universal Service Administration Company to provide
monetary support with providing connectivity in elementary and
secondary schools and libraries.

5. The PURPOSE of E-Rate is to ensure that all eligible schools and
libraries have affordable access to modern telecommunications
and information services and to provide discounts for services.

6. Discounts are to promote improved
 Internet Access
 Telecommunications Services
 Internal Network Connections
 Basic Maintenance and Support

7. Discounts range from 20% to 90% of costs for eligible services
depending on the level of poverty and the urban/rural status of
the population served.

8. E-Rate money for school districts is contingent on the ability of
the districts to
 Implement filters that block student access to content that
may be harmful to minors
 Provide online safety to students
 Monitor online activities

9. Schools can apply each year for discounts.
If funded, bills can be discounted directly from the service
providers or through reimbursement of services.
Programs are capped at receiving no more than $2.25 billion per
program year.

10. Schools are responsible for providing additional resources to
meet connectivity objectives such as
 Computers
 Telephones
 Software
 Professional Development

11. Steps needed to apply for and receive these discounts include
Step 1 - Development of a Technology Plan
Step 2 - Opening of the Competitive Bidding Process
Step 3 - Seeking Discounts on Eligible Services
Step 4 - Confirming the receipt of these services
Step 5 - Invoicing USAC for these Services

12. The USAC Website supplies more details on E-Rate.

13. Step 1 of the E-Rate application process, development of a
Technology Plan
Shows how schools will use technology to achieve specific
curriculum reforms and guide planning and investment for both
E-Rate funds and for other resources needed to take advantage
of technology.

14.  Clear goals and strategies for using technologies
 Professional development strategies to ensure staff knows
how to use these new technologies
 Assessment of the components to technology such as the
actual services, hardware and software
 An evaluation process

15. Irving ISD has developed its 2010 - 2013 technology plan to move
the district forward in its continued effort to integrate
technology into schools.

16. The district’s Long Range Plan for Technology expands over 3
years and covers four major areas
1) Integration of Technology into Teaching and Learning
2) Professional Development
3) Administration and Support Services and
4) Infrastructure for Technology

17. There are seven goals that the district lists and various strategies
that accompany these goals.

18. Goal # 1 - Infuse higher level thinking with technology and
quality instruction.
Strategies include integrating technology TEKS and higher
order thinking into 100% of curriculum areas, increasing
integration of technology and maintaining the 1:1 ratio of
computing devices for students grades 9–12 and teachers.

19. Goal # 2 - Support assessment and planning through the use of
technology.
Strategies include providing technology support for assessing.

20. Goal # 3 - Educate all students and teachers in responsible
technology use.
Strategies include trainings on appropriate use and internet
safety.

21. Not only are students and faculty trained on appropriate use and
internet safety but parents also attend computer classes where
they undergo trainings about safety on the internet.

22. Goal # 4 – Ensure that professional development is on-going
and high quality.
Strategies include providing differentiated job-embedded
technology training, increasing the use of technology in staff
developments, and demonstrating the effective use of digital
tools and resources.

23. All staff participate in trainings that focus on technology.

24. Staff developments focus on the needs of the campus.
Trainings are conducted by Instructional Technology Specialists
(ITS).

25. Goal # 5 - Ensure 100% administrative participation in
appropriate software programs.
Strategies include using software programs and increasing
communications through the use of technology.

26. Goal #6 - Provide leadership to leverage technology for the
improvement of teaching and learning in classrooms.
Strategies include integrating technology into curriculum and
maintaining technology resources for continued improvement.

27. Goal #7 - Ensure a stable infrastructure for technology use.
Strategies include insuring dependable operations 24/7 and
developing a sustainable system with available funds.

28. Local evaluations will be conducted for each aspect of the plan.
This includes walk through evaluations and a district-developed
technology standards assessment.
The Texas STaR Chart (School Technology and Readiness) will
also be used to measure progress.

29. The district has developed a Long Range Technology Planning
Committee who will meet at least once a year to review progress
made toward the Long Range Plan for Technology.
This committee along with the board’s goal of staff to use a
variety of technological resources to engage students should
help successfully transition the district into the 21st Century.