BridgewaterMiddleSchoolTechnologyEvaluation

JimMurtagh

Introduction
BridgewaterMIddleschoolisapublicschoolforstudentsingrades5and6.TheschoolislocatedinaWaterloo
countyinamixedsuburban/ruralsetting.Thetownhasstrongagriculturalroots,butoverthepasttwodecades,
therehasbeenalargeinfluxofnewresidents.Theschoolisconsideredahighperformingschoolwithinthe
State.

StudentsatBridgewatergenerallycomefromwelleducated,financiallystable,whitefamilies.Theschooliswell
staffed,exceptforanoticeableabsenceofatechnologyspecialist.Classsizesaverage23students.
Technologyexpendituresarepartoftheannualtownbudget,andwhileitvariesfromyeartoyear,
approximately$500,000isallottedfortheentiredistrict.Allclassroomsintheschoolhaveinteractive
whiteboards,desktopscomputers,andaccesstoacartoflaptops.Documentcameras,iPads,student
responsedevicesandothertechnologyarepresentinvaryingamounts.Allfacultyareprovidedwithlaptops.
BroadbandInternetandwirelessaccessisavailablethroughoutthebuilding.

Thefollowingtablesprovideaprofileofthetownandtheschool.

TownProfile
Population(2011) 22,383
LandArea 47squaremiles
MedianAge(2011) 37years
MedianHouseholdIncome(2011) $99,233
EducationalAttainment(2011) 54%withBachelorsormore
Race/Ethnicity(2011) 91.2%White
MedianHousePrice(2009) $400,000
PovertyRate(2010) 2.8%

SchoolProfile
NumberofSchoolsinDistrict 7(includingonehighschool)
BridgewaterMIddleSchoolGradeLevels Grades5and6
BridgewaterMIddleSchoolStudents(2009) 544
NumberofSchoolDaysPerYear 180
BridgewatersTechnologyBudget $65,000(annual,butvarieswithbudgetapprovalvia
townreferendum,estimatefor2009)
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SchoolStaff*
FullTimeEquivalentCountofSchoolStaff(200910) Employees
GeneralEducation:TeachersandInstructors 41.05
SpecialEducation:TeachersandInstructors 5.4
SpecialEducation:ParaprofessionalInstructionalAssistants 16.0
Library/MediaSpecialistsand/orAssistants 2.0
Administrators,Coordinators,andDepartmentChairs 2.5
InstructionalSpecialistsWhoSupportTeachers(e.g.,subjectarea
specialists)
0.0
Counselors,SocialWorkers,andSchoolPsychologists 3.5
SchoolNurses 1.0
OtherStaffProvidingNonInstructionalServicesandSupport 15.2

StudentRace/Ethnicity*
Race/Ethnicity Number Percent
AmericanIndian 0 0
AsianAmerican 24 4.4
Black 4 0.7
Hispanic 32 5.9
White 484 89
TotalMinority 60 11.0

IndicatorsofEducationalNeed*
NeedIndicator NumberinSchool PercentinSchool
StudentsEligibleforFree/ReducedPrice
Meals
38 7.0
K12StudentsWhoAreNotFluentinEnglish 4 0.7
StudentswithDisabilities 68 12
StudentsIdentifiedasGiftedand/orTalented 4 .07
KindergartenStudentswhoAttended NA NA
2
Preschool,NurserySchoolorHeadstart

*ThisprofilewasproducedbytheStateDepartmentofEducationinaccordancewithGeneralStatutes10220(c)usingdataand
narrativesprovidedbytheschooldistrictortestingservicesforthe20092010academicyear.

MaturityBenchmarks

ThefollowingmaterialisanextractfromPeterSibleysandChipKimballsworkTheTechnologyUsePlan
Primer.Inthisdocument,SibleyandKimballdescribethestagesforadoptionanduseoftechnologybydividing
theprocessintofourdiscretebenchmarkstages.

1. EmergentStage
2. IslandsStage
3. IntegratedStage
4. IntelligentStage
Twofactors,resourceavailabilityandbehavioralchanges,arerequirementsforadvancementwithineach
stage.Thebenchmarkisatoolthatschooldistrictscanusetoperformaselfassessmentonhoweffectively
theyareintegratingtechnology,andthentodeterminewhereadditionalsupportofresourcesarenecessary.
Note:thefollowingdescriptionsofthefourstagesaredirectyfromSibley&Kimball
TheEmergentSystemsStageischaracterizedby:
Lackofformalsupportwhenusingcomputingtechnologyforinstruction
Noformalplans,policiesorproceduresexisttoensuretheefficientandappropriateacquisitionor
useoftechnologythroughouttheInstitution
ComputersareusedsporadicallythroughouttheInstitution
Institutionwidecoordinationtoensuregradelevelandprogramlevelaccessisabsent
Formalsupportforteachertrainingisminimal
TheIslandsofTechnologyStageischaracterizedby:
Regularuseofcomputersatoneormoregradelevelsandprogramlevelsateachschoolwithinthe
Institutiononaregularlyscheduledbasis
Formalplans,policiesandproceduresexisttofacilitatetheoptimaluseoftechnologyinboth
instructionalandadministrativeareasthroughouttheInstitution
Institutionsponsoredandschoolsponsoredtrainingisavailable
TechnologyhasbudgetaryvisibilityattheInstitutionallevelandschool/programlevel
Theinstructionaldeliverysystemissomewhatdependentontechnology
TheIntegratedSystemsStageischaracterizedby:
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Regularplannedaccessforstudentstotechnologyasameansofinstructionandafocusof
instruction
Teachers'systemsalsosupportadministrativefunctions,suchasgrading,attendanceand
electronicmail
TechnologyhasahighbudgetaryvisibilityattheInstitutionalandschool/programlevel
Comprehensiveplans,policiesandproceduresforinstructionalandadministrativeuseoftechnology
arereviewedandrevisedregularly
TheInstitutionisanadvocateoftechnologytrainingforallpersonnel
Theinstructionaldeliverysystemisverydependentontechnology
TheIntelligentSystemsStageischaracterizedby:
Studentaccesstotechnologyasanindispensablecomponentofinstruction
Everycurriculumisaugmentedbyintelligentlearningsystems
Administrativefunctionsareautomated,integratedandpaperless
Student,teachersandstakeholdershaveaccesstoappropriatesystemsfromhome
TechnologyisoneofthethreehighestexpendituresofInstitutionfunds
TechnologyplanningisanintegralpartofInstitutionplanning
Thesystematicadoptionofnewtechnologiesisongoing
Technologyadvocatesateachorganizationalunitassistintheintroductionofthenewtechnologies
Instructionalandadministrativepersonnelareknowledgeableintheuseoftechnology

MaturityModel

TheMaturityModelBenchmarkImpactTablepresentsatabularsnapshotofyourdistrictstechnology
integrationstage.Therearefivecategorieswhichallowuserstofocusonparticularobjectives,suchas
curriculumorconnectivity.Byexaminingasinglecategory,theycanhelpyoufilteryourorganizations
technologyneeds.

Thefivefiltersare:

AdministrativeFilter
Policy,Planning,BudgetandAdministrativeInformationcriteria
ImpactsAdministratorsandStaffthemost

CurricularFilter
CurriculumIntegration,Assessment,TeacherUseandStudentUsecriteria
ImpactsTeachersandStudentsthemost

SupportFilter
StakeholderInvolvement,AdministrativeSupport,Training,andTechnicalInfrastructureSupportcriteria
ImpactsTeachersandSupportStaffthemost.
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ConnectivityFilter
LocalAreaNetworking,DistrictAreaNetworking,InternetAccessandCommunicationSystemscriteria
Impactsallsegmentsoftheinstitution

InnovationFilter
NewTechnologiesandComprehensiveTechnologiescriteria
ImpactsTeachersandStudentsthemost

BridgewaterAnalysis

ThefollowingtablesrepresentthematuritybenchmarksforBridgewaterMiddleSchool.Eachorganizational
filterisexaminedseparately.Thefirstchartineachsectionemploysdifferentcolorsforthebenchmarkstages
togivethereaderaclearindicationofwheretheschoolliesonthatfilter,fromaquickglance.Asthe
benchmarksadvancefromlefttoright,thetechnologicalmaturitylevelincreases.Thesecondtableprovides
therationalandincludesdetailsofwhytheschoolwasidentifiedasbeingataspecificbenchmark.

AdministrativeFilter

Category Rating Summary

Policy: Integrated Technologyisusedbyalladmin
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Behavioral staffbutthereisnowrittenpolicy.
Thereisanunderstoodpolicyof
howworkistobedone.Staffuse
itwillingly,buthavenochoice.
Policy:
Resource/Infrastructure
Islands Policygetsdictatedbyschool
principalorcreatedindependently
bythosemostaffectedby
decision.
Planning:
Behavioral
Intelligent Yearlyreviewoftechnologyat
budgetingtime,andthenagainin
summerwhenfundsaretobe
spent.Decisionmadewith
principal,technologydirectorand
buildingnetworktechnician.
Planning:
Resource/Infrastructure
Intelligent Planningisinlinewithdistrict
plansbutschoolisgivenoptionto
pursuetheirowncourseiffeel
necessary.
Budget:
Behavioral
Islands Budgetisbasedonafixeddollar
amount.Afterbudgetreferendum,
schoolplanisthenbuiltyearly
basedonmoneyawardedto
school.Multiyearprojectsare
nearlyimpossible.
Budget:
Resource/Infrastructure
Integrated Technologybudgetisalineitemin
townbudget.
AdministrativeInformation:
Behavioral
Intelligent Systemsexistforcommunication,
studentrecords,attendance,and
manyotheradmintasks.There
arestillpaperoutputsbutfewall
papersystems.
AdministrativeInformation:
Resource/Infrastructure
Integrated Moststaffhaveaccessto
systemsdirectlyorcanget
informationreadilyfromanother
staffwhohasaccess.Access
availabilityisprimarilybasedon
privacyconcerns.

Summary
Bridgewaterisontheupperendoftheadministrativefilter.Thedistrictconsistentlyinvestsintechnologybut
needstoinvolvemorestakeholdersinthedecisionmakingprocess.
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CurricularFilter

Category Rating Summary

ElectronicInformation:
Behavioral
Intelligent Studentsandstaffuseelectronic
informationonadailybasis.
Laptopcartsareavailableona1:3
ratio.
ElectronicInformation:
Resource/Infrastructure
Integrated Wehavemultipletechresources
suchasiPads,responsesystems
andlaptops.Onlylaptopsare
widelyavailable.
Assessment:
Behavioral
Emergent Moststudentworkisgenerated
electronically,butnearlyallofitis
printedandthenassessedby
teachers.
Assessment:
Resource/Infrastructure
Islands Teachershaveaccesstoan
electronicgradebookbutfew
electronicstudentstakeplaceona
regularbasis.
CurriculumIntegration:
Behavioral
Islands Curriculumhasbroadreferences
totechnologyandisnotupdatedto
reflectchangesintechnology.
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CurriculumIntegration:
Resource/Infrastructure
Intelligent Ifteacherschoose,technologyis
widelyavailabletosupportmost
needsofteachersandstudents.
TeacherUse:
Behavioral
Intelligent Teachershavelaptops,andall
classroomsaretechnologyrich
withinteractivewhiteboards,
documentcameras,andassorted
otherdevices,
TeacherUse:
Resource/Infrastructure
Intelligent Teachersusetechnologyintheir
classroomcontinuously
throughouttheday.
StudentUse:
Behavioral
Islands Studentsusetechnologyfor
writingpapersanddoingonline
research.Sporadicotheractivities
takeplace.
StudentUse:
Resource/Infrastructure
Intelligent Studentshaveaccessto
equipmentintheclassroomandin
labs.

Summary
Bridgewaterisontheupperendofthecurricularfilterbutlagsinassessmentandstudentuseofcloud
technologies.Thedistrictstechnologyplandoesidentifycloudcomputingasatargetfornextyear.
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SupportFilter

Category Rating Summary

Stakeholder:
Behavioral
Emergent Staffandfacultyareinformedof
technologychangesmostoften
duringimplementation.
Stakeholder:
Resource/Infrastructure
Emergent Planningisperformedby23
individuals.
AdministrativeSupport:
Behavioral
Integrated Thebuildingprincipalconsultswith
thebuildingnetworktechnicianto
discussstrategy.Thetechnician
oftensolicitsinputfromstaffand
teachers.
AdministrativeSupport:
Resource/Infrastructure
Integrated Principalisreadilyavailablefor
consultation.
Training:
Behavioral
Islands SincetheStatenolongerrequires
continuingcreditsfortechnology
work,staffandteachertraining
hasdwindled.
Training:
Resource/Infrastructure
Islands Trainingisprimarilyperformedby
thebuildingnetworktechnician.
Technical&Infrastructure
Support:
Behavioral
Intelligent Buildingnetworktechnician
availabletoallstaffandfaculty.
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Technical&Infrastructure
Support:
Resource/Infrastructure
Intelligent Buildingnetworktechnician
availabletoallstaffandfaculty.

Summary
Bridgewaterstrugglesthemostwiththesupportfilter.Thedistrictseemstodelivertechnologytousersand
thenletsthemfigureitoutontheirown.Trainingisanotherareawherethedistrictprovidestoofew
opportunitiesforteachersandstaff.

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ConnectivityFilter

Category Rating Summary

LocalAreaNetworking:
Behavioral
Intelligent Buildingisfullywiredwithhispeed
datacablingandwireless
networking.HighspeedInternet
accessisavailableforeveryone.
Wirelessequipmentisagingbut
scheduledforreplacement.
LocalAreaNetworking:
Resource/Infrastructure
Integrated Highspeednetworkingisavailable
toallbutvoiceandvideoarenot
widelyusedorimplemented.
DistrictAreaNetworking:
Behavioral
Integrated WANuseisprimarilyfordataand
emailcommunication.
DistrictAreaNetworking:
Resource/Infrastructure
Integrated Connectionsbetweenschool
buildingsisnotasrobustas
school'saccesstoInternet.
InternetAccess:
Behavioral
Intelligent Internetiswidelyusedbutcontent
filteringexistsandstudentsdonot
haveunsupervisedtovideo
access.
InternetAccess:
Resource/Infrastructure
Intelligent Internetaccessiswidelyavailable.
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CommunicationSystems:
Behavioral
Intelligent Emailisavailabletoallstaffand
facultyandusedforallbusiness
matters.Studentshavenoaccess
toemail.
CommunicationSystems:
Resource/Infrastructure
Islands Allstaffhaveemailbutfew
studentsdo.

Summary
Bridgewaterhasbeeninvestingintheirinfrastructureforfiveyearsandtheirbenchmarksreflectthisprogress.
Theyneedtousetheirresourcesinmoreimaginativeways,andtheyneedtoaddressanagingwireless
infrastructure.
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InnovationFilter

Category Rating Summary

NewTechnologies:
Behavioral
Islands Majorityofstaffreadilyacceptnew
technologybutnoteveryonehas
thetimeordesiretoimplement
them.
NewTechnologies:
Resource/Infrastructure
Integrated Majorityofstaffwelcomenew
technologythatmakestheirjobs
moreproductiveorthatenhance
educationforstudents.
ComprehensiveTechnologies:
Behavioral
Integrated Technologyisabundantbuthowit
getsusedisprimarilyupto
individualteachersdecidewhen
andhowtouseit.
ComprehensiveTechnologies:
Resource/Infrastructure
Islands Mosttechnologyusecenters
aroundInternetaccess,emailand
wordprocessing.

Summary
Bridgewaterhasatremendousamountoftechnologicalresources,andstaffandteacherswillingtouseit.Lack
oftimetoexperimentandexplorethetechnologyisfrequentlycitedastheprimaryreasonwhythetechnologyis
notusedtoitsfullpotential.Additionalsupportfromaintegrationspecialistwouldbenefitthedistrict.

CategoryAnalysis

Thefollowinggraphsshowthatthebehavioralversusresource/infrastructurekeysofthematurityindexare
workinginconcertwitheachother.Thebehavioralmeasureisslightlyfurtheralongintheintelligentgrouping,
butbothareshowingpositiveresults.Bridgewaterisclearlysuccessfulintheirtechnologyintegration,though
thereisroomforimprovement.
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Conclusion

BridgewaterMiddleSchoolisahighperformingschoolwithawellequippedinfrastructureandadiverseand
abundantamountoftechnology.Theschoolisonthemidsideandapproachingtheupperlimitsofthe
benchmarkscaleinmanyareas.Teachers,staffandstudentsallusetechnologydailytoperformtheirtasks.
Whilethereisnoformalwrittentechnologyguidelinesintheschool,theschoolhaslearnedtoadoptand
managetheirresourceseffectively.Bridgewaterneedstoadvancestudentusebeyondbasicwordprocessing
andInternetsearches.Teacherswouldbenefitgreatlyfromanintegrationspecialistwhocouldeducateand
supportthemonmorechallengingusesoftechnology.Theschoolwouldbenefitfrommoreinvolvementfrom
staffonthedirectionoffuturetechnologyinitiatives,andthecurriculumshouldbeexaminedtoseewhere
instructioncouldbeimprovedbyincorporatingappropriatetechnology.

Resources:
1. CERCTownProfile2012.Downloadedfrom:www.cerc.com
2. CTStateDept.ofEducation,StrategicSchoolProfile200910.Downloadedfrom:www.sdeportal.ct.gov
3. Sibley,P.&Kimball,C.,TechnologyUsePlanPrimer.Teacherprovidedreference

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