The document summarizes the current state of technology in Dallas ISD. It finds that while the district has been frozen out of $140 million in federal funding for 8 years, it now has the tools to take advantage of new technologies. However, the infrastructure is outdated with frequent outages due to lack of preventative maintenance. The district needs to improve technology to meet national goals in areas like teaching, leadership, and digital learning. This requires building teacher training, providing rigorous curriculum, giving students access to tools, and using assessments to analyze student data.

2. CURRENT STATE OF DALLAS ISD
“A committee of Dallas school trustees learned….that the district is now in
compliance with the federal E-Rate program after being frozen out for eight
years. The district could potentially be reimbursed more than $140 million
for technology projects.” (HOBBS, 2013)
• From 2004 thru today, the District has not received any
eRate program federal funding.
• DallasISD is behind its urban counterparts.
• Infrastructure is outdated.
• Frequent outages.
• Provider opts for repair instead of preventative
maintenance.
***Despite the challenges presented by lack of eRate funding
and poor services from our ISP, the District does have the tools
and devices in place to take advantage of emerging technologies.
(Shuman, Tyminski, & Pinkman, 2012)

3. TEXAS LONG-RANGE PLAN FOR
TECHNOLOGY, 2006-2020
DallasISD has evaluated the current state of technology in regard to instructional
programs, administrative systems, and technology infrastructure. The needs assessment
focused on the initiatives that will help the District address educational technology
improvements in the areas identified by the TEA Long Range Plan for Technology:
State Vision
• Teaching and Learning
• Educator Preparation and Development
• Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support
• Infrastructure for Technology Leadership
National Vision
• Strengthen Leadership
• Consider Innovative Budgeting
• Improve Teacher Training
• Support e-Learning and Virtual Schools
• Encourage Broadband Access
• Move Toward Digital Content
• Integrate Data Systems
(Texas Education Agency, 2006)

4. BUILDING TEACHER CAPACITY THROUGH
RIGOROUS AND RELEVANT STAFF
DEVELOPMENT
Dallas ISD supports the professional growth of its teachers through ongoing, sustained professional
development that focuses on helping students reach and exceed district defined goals.
• Teachers are expected to acquire needed technology skills in
order to successfully deliver instruction, meet student
needs, and assist other campus staff in professional
development.
• Training topics include basic use of the
technologies, integrating the technologies into curriculum
areas, and using technologies to support authentic
assessments.
(Shuman, Tyminski, & Pinkman, 2012)

5. WHAT ARE THE DISTRICT NEEDS
In order to meet the national goals of the Texas LRPT, Dallas ISD learning
takes place in a context of highly engaged students that are working through
sustained efforts to achieve and exceed standards of each content area..
Key elements :
• Building Teacher Capacity Through Rigorous And
Relevant Staff Development
• Providing An Organized Curriculum That Is Based On
Clearly Defined Standards
• Giving Students Access To Appropriate Tools As
Determined By The Demands of Discipline being Studied
• Using Meaningful methods of Feedback And Assessments
(Shuman, Tyminski, & Pinkman, 2012)

6. GIVING STUDENTS ACCESS TO
APPROPRIATE TOOLS AS DETERMINED
BY THE DEMANDS OF THE DISCIPLINE
BEING STUDIED
Dallas ISD recognizes that students must use technology in meaningful ways in order to acquire
21st century skills that are needed to compete in a global society. Students must learn to use
technology to collect, interpret, and communicate information to others. This is done through a
variety of technologies in Dallas ISD:
• Interactive-capable
projectors
• Moodle
• 3D-capable projectors
• Digital Video cameras
• Interactive Classroom
software
• Interactive video
conferencing
• Document cameras
• E-resources
• Mobile technologies
• Student email
• Online repository
• MicroSoft Live and 360
(Shuman, Tyminski, & Pinkman, 2012)

7. PROVIDING AN ORGANIZED CURRICULUM
THAT IS BASED ON CLEARLY DEFINED
STANDARDS
Dallas ISD provides an aligned and rigorous curriculum for all students.
• To facilitate these activities that require higher
levels of sustained efforts by students, greater
technological bandwidth is required.
• Teachers and students will be utilizing a variety of
online resources to collect, analyze, and
communicate information.
• Students are expected to use current technologies
that support the rigor of the discipline and meet
clearly defined standards. (Shuman, Tyminski, & Pinkman, 2012)

8. USING MEANINGFUL METHODS OF
FEEDBACK AND ASSESSMENTS
Teachers and administrators in Dallas ISD utilize technology to assist in assessing
student learning. A variety of technologies give teachers and administrators current data
that can be analyzed. They allow quick access to data that greatly enhances instructional
planning and differentiation of instruction for students. (Shuman, Tyminski, &
Pinkman, 2012)
• My DataPortal
• Curriculum Central
• Principal Dashboards

9. TECHNOLOGY NEEDED TO SUPPORT
TEACHING AND LEARNING PHILOSOPHY
Due to the rigorous demands of this philosophy, specific minimum technology support is
needed. This support is outlined below by identifying what technology is available in every
classroom and then, more specifically, what additional technology is needed for specific
content areas. Every classroom:
• Interactive-capable projector
• Interactive Classroom software
• Document camera
• Digital Video camera
• Classroom Audio system
• Wireless access with increased bandwidth
• Grades PK-4: 1 cart of 25 netbooks per 5 classrooms
• Grades 5-8: 1 cart of 30 netbooks per 6 classrooms
• Grades 9-12: 1 cart of 30 netbooks per 6 classrooms
(Shuman, Tyminski, & Pinkman, 2012)

10. REFERENCES
HOBBS, T. D. (2013, April 5). Education. Retrieved November 5, 2013, from Dallas
Morning News: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/headlines/20130404dallas-isd-in-compliance-with-federal-technology-program-after-eight-years.ece
Shuman, G., Tyminski, F., & Pinkman, L. (2012, March 1). DISD FOI Documents.
Retrieved November 5, 2013, from Dallas Friends of Public Education:
www.dfpe.org/PDF/DISD-Strategic-Technology-Plan-081012.pdf
Texas Education Agency. (2006). Long-Range Plan For Technology., 2006-2020.
Retrieved from:
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=21474
94561&libID=2147494558