E.+Technology+Infrastructure+and+Support

Link to ET-IL 2009-2012

=E. Technology Infrastructure and Support=

//This section is designed to address planning for the physical technology infrastructure required for the district to deliver ET-IL services. This includes elements of hardware, software, telecommunications services, and staffing needed to support the ET-IL program and subsequent technology infrastructure. The key elements of technology infrastructure are outlined below. Your district may have additional items that need to be included in your ET-IL plan based on local initiatives. Please remember that services that are requested on the Form 470 used in the E-Rate application process need to be relfective of the ET-IL plan.//
 * Telecommunications Capacity
 * Telecommunications Services
 * Equipment Access for Curriculum Support
 * Equipment Access for Instruction, Including Assistive Technologies
 * Equipment Access for Data and Assessment
 * Equipment Access for Delivery of Library Services, Including Assistive Technologies
 * Network and Data Security
 * Level of Technology Staff Support
 * Internet Access Capacity

Guiding Questions:

 * 1) //Describe your basis technology infrastructure. Include telecommunications.//
 * 2) //Identify what you will need to do to provide adequate telecommunications capacity to meet ET-IL and district program needs.//
 * 3) //Describe your basic telecommunications services.//
 * 4) //Identify what you will need to do to provide adequate telecommunications, internet, and network services to meet ET-IL and district program needs.//
 * 5) //What infrastructure/services are needed to assure district curriculum support?//
 * 6) //What infrastructure/services are needed to assure assistive technologies are identified, provided and supported?//
 * 7) //What infrastructure/services are needed to support staff use of assessment and data tools?//
 * 8) //What infrastructure/services are needed to support delivery of library information services? What infrastructure/services are needed to support network and data security?//
 * 9) //What level of technology staff support is needed to assure the infrastructure/services identified above?//
 * 10) //How does your infrastructure support communication and involvement of parents and community?//

The Thompson School District’s infrastructure consists of many technologies and capabilities that support curriculum requirements, library services, and District initiatives. Continued support of the existing infrastructure is a requirement, and the District has allocated budgetary resources to ensure continued operation.

The Thompson School District’s infrastructure delivers 100 megabits per second of internet access, with future capabilities reaching 500 [mbps] of internet access, to each of its 34 locations. From a central location, the internet and data capabilities are distributed by a point-to-point wireless wide area network system consisting of licensed and unlicensed frequencies delivering the internet and data capabilities at a rate of 300 megabits per second.

At each location, the internet and data capabilities are then distributed through a local area network that can transmit at rates of 100 or 1000 megabits per second. Each of the District’s 5500 computers is connected to the District infrastructure, and every computer [5500 total] has access to the internet, curriculum based software, library services, and e-mail and collaboration tools.

Security and Internet Filtering are provided by dual Firewalls manufactured by Secure Computing, in the form of their SideWinder Product, and SmartFilter Product. Desktop computers are protected by software provided by Sophos, that protects against viruses, malware, and spyware.

Each of the District’s classrooms [1500 approx. total] is wired for both data and voice.

Each of the District’s classrooms [1500 approx total] has a telephone. Each telephone is then connected to a voice network that consists of 48 T1 circuits that connects back to a central location. At this central location, outside local calls and long distance calls are provided via central PBX system.

The Thompson School District currently has a total of 200 cell phones that supplements the central voice network for voice connectivity. These cell phones are used in various capacities by different levels of employment in the District.

The Thompson School District’s data infrastructure delivers curriculum based initiatives such as; Distance Learning, Digital Video to the computer desktop, E-mail, collaboration tools, electronic testing for assessment, a central grade book and attendance system, a central web based student information system, a central web based financial system, and the internet.

The Thompson School District's assures assistive technology access through the coordination of the SWAAAC (Statewide Augmentative Alternative Assistive Communications) team within the department of special education. Assistive technologies are identified through a system of referral, onsite evaluation, and observation protocol. Assistive technologies are provided through district funding or coordination with the state borrowing program. The appropriate use of the assistive technologies are supported and monitored through the SWAAAC team.

The Thompson School District's use of assessment and data tools are supported through the department of learning services. Web-based universal screening, progress monitoring, diagnostic and other comprehensive assessment tools are used to monitor and analyze student learning in accordance with CBLA (Colorado Basic Literacy Act) guidelines and Response to Intervention best practices.

The Thompson School District’s data infrastructure delivers library services that include a central web based library catalog, video content accessibility, and other research based resources that include age appropriate reference and research-oriented online databases.

The Distance Learning and Digital Video is delivered using the data infrastructure that is turn viewed at each of the 34 locations using a total of 189 LCD Projectors, and a total of 64 Interactive White Boards [Promethean Boards].

The continued support of this entire infrastructure is critical, and has been addressed with proper and adequate funding. The funding sources include a combination of General Fund, Capital Reserve, and Mill Levy based funds. The support of the infrastructure and its budgetary resources are executed by a staff of 35 employees in the Information Services and Technology Support Department.

The Thompson School District's department of communication and community resources supports communication and involvement through the coordination of local cable channel 14 educational programming, which includes regularly televised school board meetings, information briefs, and kid-produced television programming. Community members are invited to interact with district personnel through web-based forums, discussion threads, email, voicemail, and the comprehensive district website. Parents and family are able to access realtime student information, i.e., grades, attendance, and behavior records through the district web-based parent portal.

Appendix to Section E:
The Thompson School District’s technology infrastructure consists of the following: - An Internet connection running at 100 mbps. - A Wide Area Network capable of delivering data and video to each location over a point-to-point wireless system, rated at 40 mbps to 300 mbps. (43 point-to-point wireless connections total.) - Each Desktop Computer is connected to a Local Area Network rated at 100 mbps to 1000 mbps. - A Voice Network that delivers telephone services to each location over a point-to-point T1 system. (48 T1 circuits total.) - Access to a telephone in every classroom. (1500 total) - Access to the Internet from every computer. (5500 computers total in the District.)