CLOSING THE GAP ACTION PLAN

School District:

Warren Township High School

Area:

Category A—Community Involvement: Collective Vision

Goal #8: Increase the capacity for staff, administration, and teachers to connect to, communicate with, access, and manipulate administrative data—in both the financial and student records areas.

Current Reality: Software and hardware systems we currently use to manage our financial and student records data, while functional on some levels, do not promote easy access and manipulation of our data. Systems are becoming available to schools that can help us realize the efficiencies gained through a better flow of information, digital delivery of records, and provisions for training.

Gap Analysis/Identified Needs: Preparations for our recent Blue Ribbon Site Visit, which required extensive reporting of data, showed us that our systems do not support easy access and manipulation of the data in our administrative programs. Also, a number of other goals identified by the Technology Advisory Committee in this technology plan hinge on improvement of our basic administrative systems.

Strategies for Closing the Gap
(Include Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III Activities)

Person(s) Responsible

Estimated Cost/
Funding Source

Timeframe

8.1— Develop a plan for an infrastructure that promotes communication and provides appropriate access to financial and student records information for faculty, staff, and administration.

Chief School Business Official, Ass't Principal-Student Records, Technology Director

$15,000, consulting fees (will apply to other goals as well)

Currently in development, completion by Summer, 2001

8.2—Increase office efficiency through systems for digital archiving, digital delivery of records, and online forms.

Chief School Business Official, Ass't Principal-Student Records, Technology Director

$15,000 annually for digital photocopiers.

Ongoing, through in-house development and selection of new hardware and software systems

8.3—Develop system for reporting of attendance and grades to parents and students via the Internet.

Ass't Principal-Student Records, Technology Director

Existing resources

Fall, 2000, phase in with deployment of teacher laptops.

8.4—Create a calendar of equipment purchase, rotation, and replacement to insure functionality of computing tools. Explore leasing options to leverage available funds.

Chief School Business Official, Technology Director

No cost

Already in progress

8.5—Provide training opportunities for all employees working in administrative areas, including administrative team, guidance, and clerical staff.

Chief School Business Official, Ass't Principals (both campuses), Technology Director

Existing resources

Ongoing, using summer, institute, and SIP day opportunities to provide sessions.

Expected Results (Qualitative)

Success Indicators (Quantitative)

Favorable anecdotal information from users on improvements to systems and infrastructure.

Plan completion, measurable improvement in access to data, grades and attendance posted successfully and frequently online, 90% participation of admininstrative area employeers in training sessions.