The document discusses the need to transform education through technology. It explains how the Federal Communications Commission established the E-Rate program to provide funding to support connectivity in schools and libraries. The E-Rate provides discounts of 20-90% on telecommunication services to ensure affordable access to modern technology. Schools must develop technology plans and apply annually for discounts. The plan should show how technology will be used to achieve curriculum goals and guide technology investments. Irving ISD's technology plan expands over three years and has seven goals focused on technology integration, professional development, infrastructure, and administration.

1. The Need for Transformation
As emerging technology continues to dictate the way we function
in this global society, the need to restructure our education
system was inevitable. This transformation required an
infrastructure that would make learning opportunities available to
learners, educators and administrators regardless of location or
time.

2. The Need for Transformation
Technology would actually change the whole way we would view
education including its basic assumption that teachers are the
communicators of learning. Through technology, the new techno
savvy learners now have opportunities to share in this
communication process.

3. The Need for Transformation
Through technology, learning and communication in the
classroom is no longer just top-down but is now circular and even
extends outside the classroom. To funnel growth for this
transformation, districts must find ways to support connectivity.
Students
Teachers
Teachers Students

4. The FCC
Because this transformation is a huge undertaking for local
districts, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
implemented the E-Rate discount program administered by the
(USAC) Universal Service Administration Company to provide
monetary support with providing connectivity in elementary and
secondary schools and libraries.

5. Purpose of E-Rate
The PURPOSE of E-Rate is to ensure that all eligible schools and
libraries have affordable access to modern telecommunications
and information services and to provide discounts for services.

6. Discounts
Discounts are to promote improved:
Internet Access
Telecommunications Services
Internal Network Connections
Basic Maintenance and Support

7. Range of Discounts
Discounts range from 20% to 90% of costs for eligible services
depending on the level of poverty and the urban/rural status of
the population served.

8. Contingent Upon
E-Rate money for school districts is contingent on the ability of
the districts to
Implement filters that block student access to content that
may be harmful to minors
Provide online safety to students
Monitor online activities

9. How the Plan Works
Schools can apply each year for discounts.
If funded, bills can be discounted directly from the service
providers or through reimbursement of services.
Programs are capped at receiving no more than $2.25 billion per
program year.

10. Provision for Other Resources
Schools are responsible for providing additional resources to
meet connectivity objectives such as
Computers
Telephones
Software
Professional Development

11. Steps
Steps needed to apply for and receive these discounts include
Step 1 - Development of a Technology Plan
Step 2 - Opening of the Competitive Bidding Process
Step 3 - Seeking Discounts on Eligible Services
Step 4 - Confirming the receipt of these services
Step 5 - Invoicing USAC for these Services

12. E-Rate Discount Program
The USAC Website supplies more details on E-Rate.

13. Technology Plan
Step 1 of the E-Rate application process, development of a
Technology Plan
Shows how schools will use technology to achieve specific
curriculum reforms and guide planning and investment for both
E-Rate funds and for other resources needed to take advantage of
technology.

14. Required Content
 Clear goals and strategies for using technologies
 Professional development strategies to ensure staff knows
how to use these new technologies
 Assessment of the components to technology such as the
actual services, hardware and software
 An evaluation process

15. Technology Plan – Irving ISD
Irving ISD has developed its 2010 - 2013 technology plan to move
the district forward in its continued effort to integrate technology
into schools.

16. Technology Plan – Irving ISD
The district’s Long Range Plan for Technology expands over 3
years and covers four major areas
1) Integration of Technology into Teaching and Learning
2) Professional Development
3) Administration and Support Services and
4) Infrastructure for Technology

17. 7 Goals for Technology
There are seven goals that the district lists and various strategies
that accompany these goals.

18. Goal # 1
Goal # 1 - Infuse higher level thinking with technology and quality
instruction.
Strategies include integrating technology TEKS and higher order
thinking into 100% of curriculum areas, increasing integration of
technology and maintaining the 1:1 ratio of computing devices for
students grades 9–12, teachers, and administrators.

19. Goal # 2
Goal # 2 - Support assessment and planning through the use of
technology.
Strategies include providing technology support for assessing.

20. Goal # 3
Goal # 3 - Educate all students and teachers in responsible
technology use.
Strategies include trainings on appropriate use and internet
safety.

21. Goal # 3
Not only are students and faculty trained on appropriate use and
internet safety but parents also attend computer classes where
they undergo trainings about safety on the internet.

22. Goal # 4
Goal # 4 – Ensure that professional development is on-going and
high quality.
Strategies include providing differentiated job-embedded
technology training, increasing the use of technology in staff
developments, and demonstrating the effective use of digital
tools and resources.

23. Goal # 4
All staff participate in trainings that focus on technology.

24. Trainings
Staff developments focus on the needs of the campus.
Trainings are conducted by Instructional Technology Specialists
(ITS).

25. Goal # 5
Goal # 5 - Ensure 100% administrative participation in appropriate
software programs.
Strategies include using software programs and increasing
communications through the use of technology.

26. Goal # 6
Goal #6 - Provide leadership to leverage technology for the
improvement of teaching and learning in classrooms.
Strategies include integrating technology into curriculum and
maintaining technology resources for continued improvement.

27. Goal # 7
Goal #7 - Ensure a stable infrastructure for technology use.
Strategies include insuring dependable operations 24/7 and
developing a sustainable system with available funds.

28. Evaluation
Local evaluations will be conducted for each aspect of the plan.
This includes walk through evaluations and a district-developed
technology standards assessment.
The Texas STaR Chart (School Technology and Readiness) will also
be used to measure progress.

29. Conclusion
The district has developed a Long Range Technology Planning
Committee who will meet at least once a year to review progress
made toward the Long Range Plan for Technology.
This committee along with the board’s goal of staff to use a
variety of technological resources to engage students should help
successfully transition the district into the 21st Century.