3220 - Technology in the Educational Program ## Technology ## In The Educational Program The Avery County Board of Education strives to incorporate the use of technology in the educational program in order to enhance instructional opportunities, appeal to different learning styles and meet the educational goals of the board.
The superintendent will develop a local school system technology plan that meets state requirements and submit the plan to the board for approval. Once approved by the board, the superintendent will take all steps necessary to gain approval of the plan by the State Board of Education. After the plan is approved by the State Board, all state funds spent for any aspect of school technology will be used to implement the technology plan.
Schools are encouraged to develop strategies for using technology to improve student success. The strategies should be included in the school improvement plan if it requires the transfer of funds or otherwise relates to any mandatory or optional components of the school improvement plan. Expenditures of state funds must be consistent with the school district's technology plan.
The superintendent is expected to establish relationships with businesses and seek grants and other funding sources in an effort to acquire technology for the educational program.
A. Selection Of Technology Material
All technological resources, including computers, software and communication lines, must be purchased and used in a manner consistent with applicable law and board policy, including laws and policies related to copyright, public records, bidding and other purchase requirements, staff duties and standards for student behavior.
Technology materials will meet or exceed the following factors before they will be considered for implementation.
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Technologies must relate to or help implement the current statewide instructional standards or the programs of the school district. 2. Technologies must relate to the current use of learning and instructional management technologies in the school. 3. Any technologies purchased must be compatible with the condition of the network. The Director of Information Technology Services will set minimum standards for technological resources that are purchased or donated. Upgrading, hardware conditions and similar requirements will be maintained to the highest standards. 4. Staff development must be made available to implement technologies so that the benefits of the technologies will be maximized. 5. Staffing requirements must be adequate to operate the technologies and to maintain the equipment.
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There must be a budget available for the technologies.
B. Deployment Of Technology To Schools
The superintendent will oversee the development of the school district’s technology deployment plan. The plan will be designed to ensure organized, effective and efficient means of deploying new hardware and software. The superintendent will develop procedures that outline the strategy of the technology deployment plan.
C. Network And Information Security
The school district information technology systems are valuable assets that must be protected. To this end, school technology personnel will evaluate each information technology asset and assign protective controls that are commensurate with the established value of such assets. Appropriate security measures must be in place to protect all information technology assets from accidental or unauthorized use, theft, modification or destruction, and to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of restricted information. Network security measures will include an information technology system disaster recovery process.
All supervisory personnel will ensure the protection and security of information technology assets that are under their control.
The Director of Information Technology Services or designee shall provide employees with information to enhance awareness regarding technology security threats and to educate them about appropriate safeguards, network security and information security.
D. Virus Protection
Virus detection programs and practices shall be implemented throughout the school district. The superintendent or his/her designee is responsible for ensuring that the school district network includes current software to prevent the introduction or propagation of computer viruses.
E. Training For Use Of Technological Resources
Users should be trained as necessary to effectively use the technological resources. Such training should include information related to remote access, virus protection, Powerschool, network and information security and other topics deemed necessary by the superintendent or Director of Information Technology Services. Schools should identify any staff development appropriations for technological training in their school improvement plans.
F. Access To Information Technology Systems; User Id And Passwords; ## Powerschool
All users of information technology systems must be properly identified and authenticated before being allowed to access such systems. The combination of a unique user identification and valid password is the minimum requirement for granting access to information technology systems. Depending on the operating environment, information involved and exposure risks, additional or more stringent security practices may be required as determined by the superintendent or technology director. The Director of Information Technology Services or his/her designee will establish password management capabilities and procedures to ensure the security of passwords.
The Director of Information Technology Services or his/her designee will ensure that any school district computers utilizing the Powerschool application pursuant to State Board of Education Policy TCS-018 adheres to requirements of the Powerschool Password and Workstation Policy, including provisions related to the user identification, password and workstation security standards. Employees must follow such standards for all computers used to access the Powerschool system, including the employee’s personal computer.
The superintendent and Director of Information Technology Services may grant remote access to authorized users of the school district’s computer systems. The Director of Information Technology Services or designee will ensure that such access is provided through secure, authenticated and carefully managed access methods.
Legal References: G.S. 115-C-522; 143B-1341; State Board of Education Policy SBOP-018
Cross References: ACSNet Acceptable Use (Policy 3225/7320), Copyright Compliance (policy 3230/7330), School Improvement Plan (policy 3430), Standards of Expected Student Behavior (policy 4310), Public Records (policy 5070), Use of Computers (policy 6523), Staff Responsibilities (policy 7300), Professional Development and Assistance (policy 1610/7800), Gifts and Bequests (policy 8220)
Adopted: 2001-10-01 Revised: 2005-11-07 2009-09-14 2015-04-14 2017-04-28