Describe the steps being taken to ensure that all students and teachers have increased access to technology.  The description must include how Ed Tech funds, if applicable, will be used to help students in high-poverty and high-needs schools, or in schools identified for improvement or corrective action under Section 1116 of Title I; and how the steps taken will ensure that teachers are prepared to integrate technology effectively into curricula and instruction.

(Policy Code: IJNR Technology Planning Guidelines, Maine DOE)

__________________________________________________

STEPS TO INCREASE/MAINTAIN ACCESSIBILITY

MLTI has assisted MDIRSS 91 in taking the first steps towards one-to-one access and equity for students and teachers.  This initiative is pushing us in the proper direction; moreover there is compelling evidence that the collective learning power available to our children is  having spillover effects not predicted or foreseen.  Laptops in all of our schools including our small and remote outer island schools are not just improving accessibility.  Laptops are becoming an essential building block in our attempt to create a new learning culture.

Our continuing efforts to provide 1:1 access for all students in grades 5-12, and the financial implications of such an endeavor, lead us to seek outside economic resources to accomplish this goal.

State, district and local technology funds would prove to be beneficial to:

• Provide technical support and technology curriculum integration for teachers in the classroom.
• Provide for an educator with technology integration skills and a technical background to train teachers and service our outer island schools on a regular basis.
• Create outreach programs: such as community technology evenings/weekends for students and their parents
• Preparing teacher "to integrate technology effectively into curricula and instruction: is a task that can only be accomplished with ongoing training, leadership and support that is directly related to the individual teacher's needs.  MDIRSS 91 schools will seek to hire part-time or full-time integration specialists who will assist teachers in making technology a seamless component of their instruction.
• Identify technology skills as a part of the criteria established in the hiring of new personnel.