January 4, 2017 at 10:00 AM - Technology Committee Meeting

Discussion: 

Call to order at 10:00 AM.

Staff:  David Ludwig, Deb Hericks, and Beth Kabes

Discussion:  The Technology Director reviewed the Tech Plan.  We have slow steady progress.  

Discussion:  Forty-Nine districts have secret and key, twenty-seven are actively publishing to the data store.  Infinite Campus is close to being certified.  There is work to be done once the data is published. Discussions regarding the Student Management Systems (SMS) and how their progress is going with getting certified. 

Discussion:  Technology Director discussed that sixty three districts are on the single sign on component.  Some districts want to use the portal ahead of the ADVISER portion.  They are starting to distribute the work that was voted on by NOC to help distribute the workload for the Technology Director. 

Discussion:  Technology Director discussed that the equipment has been installed and being replicated in both Lincoln and at ESU #3.  Very happy with the system so far.  Matt Echkert from NDE also helps with the system. 

Discussion:  Technology Director discussed that there isn't much change with the K-12 Federation.  The Technology Director has been asked to be a part of an Advisory Committee.  Access for Learning and the IMS Global standards have been written.  There are some educational districts interested in joining this federation. 

Discussion:  Technology Director reviewed the Tech Plan spreadsheet.  He continues to update the pan as needed.  Connecting the ADVISER districts, needs some work to continue to get schools on board. 

Discussion:  Technology  Director gave an update on the SRS Technology.  Mindshine has completed their work on Zend 1.  Programmer and SRS Director are doing some significant testing at this time.  The AAP site is also update as they move forward.  This project is included in the Innovation Grant request.  There is high interest to get the SRS onto the Dashboard.  Hopefully this will be done during the Spring and available by the beginning of the next school year.

Discussion:  The Technology Committee discussed the NOC Training requests.  The NOC Committee did not have a formal vote for this training.  Ron Cone said that there should be a focus that are more mission critical to the statewide focus.  Have Technology Director to lead the process and tell the Board what they need to be trained, like Global IMS etc.  There is a process to be followed and need each affiliate to follow that process to bring training forward. 

Discussion:  Technology Chair and Executive Director will work with NOC Chair to schedule.

Discussion:  Executive Director discussed the BlendEd/Distance Education Procedure Manual.  BlendEd/Distance Education director reviewed the manual with the committee.  This document outlines what currently happens for BlendEd and Distance Education.  President West commended the group on their work.  Discussion was had to have other affiliate members read and add comments to this documents. 

Discussion:  Technology Director report throughout agenda.

Discussion:  BlendEd/Distance Education Director reviewed her report with the Committee.  She has finished visiting all 25 of the BlendEd Pilot Schools.  She is combining the information statements/evidence gathered throughout those meetings.  She will visit each school again second semester and will continue to gather information to use for training.  She also gathered photos and video for each site and will be using those as observation tools.  Sixty one teachers, 2,150 students and 115 courses are being taught by the BlendEd Pilot project. The pilot is a two-year program with the hope that the Lighthouse Teachers will use this information within their school.  There will begin to find the second cohort of teachers to go through this pilot.  The ESU coaches are invited to go with the Director when she visits a school.  She will continue to promote and market BlendEd and Distance Education across the state and at national conferences.  Staff Development has request her to present at their meeting in January.  EdREady/NROC: 4,368 students are actively enrolled, 5,283 student enrollments are active in goals, 2,196 active goals in EdReady, 5,104 students have completed at least one goal,  3,185 students have improved on a goal, and 525 teachers have an account in EdReady.  Director is working with Evan Abbey from Iowa on what/how we can collaborate with each other. 

Discussion:  Not present for meeting due to family death.  Continue to work with Learn360 on a new contract as well as working to align it to our fiscal year.  This contract will need to be approved before the Master Service Agreement is approved.  Committee has requested a report on statistics statewide over the past year as well as the cost from past years.