ACCEPT Technology Initiative

ACCEPT Technology

Mission:
The mission of the ACCEPT Technology Initiative is to position the collaborative as a regionally interactive resource in technology applications by providing support and services in those areas where economies of scale can be maximized.

Technology Background:
In June 1996, the ACCPET Board of Directors established computer technology as a primary goal for the 1996-1997 school year. Verizon Communication (formerly The Bell Atlantic Corporation) signed on as a business partner in an effort to “jump start” the ACCEPT Technology Initiative. Three Superintendents have been appointed to a Board Technology Committee. In addition, each district has appointed a technology coordinator to serve on a working committee. Both long and short-term goals have been developed. The goals of the ACCEPT Technology Initiative are to:

Increase the focus on school technology
Attain a base level of technology among member districts
Provide linkages across member districts to share ideas and resources
Create partnerships with businesses, and
Provide technology-related professional development for teachers and administrators

Technology Implementation:
The technology coordinators meet bi-monthly. The topics of discussion include high-speed Internet access, school infrastructure needs, intra and inter-district networking designs, and distance learning, and data management For the short term, high-speed Internet access between June and September 1997 has been designated as our number one priority. The network design selected was adopted based on the following goals:

Highest possible speed for the best cost
Potential for shared applications and cross district learning opportunities
Distance learning and professional development capabilities

Long-Term Goals:
The Technology Coordinators meet bi-monthly with the ACCEPT staff. The single most important long-range goal is to position ACCEPT to be able to provide networked support services in technology. Administrative applications and technical support will be crucial in a project of this magnitude. The potential for shared software applications is endless. A partial list includes: E-Mail, transportation routing, student scheduling, grading software, attendance packages and personnel data. Shared human resources for technology maintenance has also been suggested. Distance learning and interactive video have been designated priority areas. Sharing data management resources is a 2004 initiative. We expect the costs over the next few years to be in the multi-million dollar range to fully network our schools, provide the necessary professional development services, and provide the human resource support.

Funding:
It is anticipated that infrastructure, hardware, software, personnel support and professional development costs will be in the millions of dollars. ACCEPT will assist districts in writing grants and forming business partnerships in order to alleviate what is expected to be a serious financial commitment. The ACCEPT Board of Directors has committed $50,000 in FY’98 for professional development activities. In addition, the Board has retained a part-time project consultant during the current year to assist in planning phases. Finally, each district will submit a local technology plan to the Department of Education and thus, become eligible for educational technology bond monies. It is the intent of the Technology Initiative to directly impact student learning by working with teachers, curriculum coordinators and administrators on integrating technology into every day classroom curriculum activities. Three project areas have been identified: Distance Learning and the Virtual High School, Network Support, and Curriculum Frameworks Alignment. For more information, please contact:

Dan Kehoe, Technology Project Consultant
Mr. Daniel Kehoe has been retained by ACCEPT as a project consultant. Mr. Kehoe is a former Massachusetts Superintendent, Director of Curriculum, Principal, and teacher. He presently leads his own consulting firm providing educational technology support in both private and public sectors. He is past chairman of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents Technology Task Force and presently serves on the Massachusetts Department of Education Technology Planning Council and the Massachusetts Educational Marketing Task Force.