1. Computer Technology in Rockingham County Public Schools
March 2002 Update
Joe Hill Director of Math and Technology

2. There are now over 3500 computers in RCPS….
Every classroom has at least one networked computer.
Many classrooms have additional computers
All schools have computer labs:
Elementary Schools have at least one
Middle Schools have at least three
High Schools have at least four including two general purpose labs and one math lab at each school
Each school library is stocked with computers.
There are computers in all school offices.
There are over 120 fileservers in the division.

3. The RCPS Network has a mixture of connection speeds
128K ISDN lines
World
Wide
Web
County Office
DS 3 Line
DS1 Line
Elementary Schools
Middle & High Schools

4. Users have many software applications available

5. In Virginia schools, everyone must meet state technology standards...
Technology Standards for 5th grade students
RCPS ranked 33rd of 133 school divisions on 5th grade Computer Technology SOL scores in 2001.
Technology Standards for 8th grade students
RCPS ranked 13th of 133 school divisions on 8th grade Computer Technology SOL scores in 2001.
Technology Standards for Instructional Personnel
All licensed personnel must possess these 8 standards by 2003 in order to renew certification
Schools’ hardware, software, and infrastructure must meet state standards

6. They’re expected to be computer fluent...
Administrators, teachers, and students aren’t expected to be computer literate...
They’re expected to be computer fluent...

7. How is technology funded?
Federal Programs:
E-Rate
Used to provide discounted telecommunications services to school divisions.
Discount is a function of division’s free and reduced lunch rate (RCPS is 58%).
Used for internet access, wide area networking costs, and telephone costs.
RCPS will receive $122,000 in the form of credits or refunds during

8. How is technology funded?
Federal Programs:
Technology Literacy Challenge Grants
RCPS received $55,600 in
Mainly for staff development
93 Teachers are taking JMU or EMU technology courses this spring thanks to this grant
There will be no TLCG grants in
Carl Perkins Funds
Provided hardware and software for business education classes.

9. How is computer technology funded?
State Funds:
Standards of Learning Technology Initiative
RCPS has received $570,000 from this initiative each year for the past biennium.
Purpose is “To use web-enabled systems to improve SOL instructional, remedial, and testing capabilities of high schools.”
All RCPS high schools have completed the state-mandated certification process. This means that we can now spend State funds on our middle schools.

10. How is computer technology funded?
Local Funds:
Standards of Learning Technology Initiative
A 20% local match of $114,000 has been required to participate in the State initiative.
This money has been used to fund technology upgrades in all schools.
Other Local Funding Sources
Many schools and departments have spent local funds on computer hardware and software.
PTAs have provided financial support for technology.
Some local businesses and individuals have donated equipment.

11. What’s computer technology used for in RCPS?
In Elementary School:
Students receive supplemental instruction in Language Arts and Mathematics
Students learn the 5th Grade Technology Standards of Learning
Students access resources for learning in all areas
Students practice for SOL tests using RCPS Teacher-created Online Practice Problems

12. All 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students use Cornerstone software to work in the labs on Language Arts and Math

13. Cornerstone supplements classroom instruction

14. What’s computer technology used for in RCPS?
In Middle School:
All 7th and 8th Grade students take (the former high school classes of) Keyboarding and Computer Concepts
Students master the 8th Grade Technology Standards of Learning
Students receive supplemental instruction in the core areas, particularly Language Arts and Math.
Students practice for SOL tests using RCPS Teacher-created Online Practice Problems

15. What’s computer technology used for in RCPS?
In High School:
Students do research and writing in computer labs, libraries, and in classrooms.
Students take Business Education classes delivered via computers.
Students use math software to reinforce the SOLs of Algebra and Geometry.
Students practice for SOL tests using RCPS Teacher-created Online Practice Problems.
(more)

16. What’s computer technology used for in RCPS?
In High School:
Students take online tests:
21 students took an online Earth Science SOL test in January, 2002
300 students took an online Algebra readiness test in January, 2002
Teachers supplement instruction in all subject areas.
Teachers take roll and submit grades electronically.

17. What’s computer technology used for in RCPS?
In all schools:
Adminstrators and staff use SASIxp software to manage student records. Middle and High Schools use SASIxp for scheduling, report cards, attendance records, etc.
Library Media Specialists use Spectrum software to manage circulation and cataloging of all library records.
Teachers and staff communicate with each other, administrators, and parents.

18. What’s computer technology used for in RCPS?
Many Specialized Uses Including:
Reading programs (Accelerated Reader, Read 180)
ESL (Fairfield Language Technologies)
Yearbooks, ETC
Bus routing
Teacher gradebooks and report cards
Tech Ed modules
Weather stations
Registrations & surveys

19. in RCPS
The RCPS FirstClass® system provides private and public bulletin boards for all employees (but no students).
Approximately 4,000 messages are delivered daily to/from the RCPS system from outside RCPS. Thousands more are delivered daily within RCPS.
All is filtered for viruses.
The server allows selected documents to be posted to the Internet for public viewing--this is how School Board documents are provided.

20. Internet access in RCPS
Internet is available on over 3,000 computers.
Student access to the internet is only by adult supervision.
All Internet access is content-filtered and logged.
All users of the Internet must abide by our Acceptable Use Policy.
RCPS maintains a firewall to insulate our network from hackers and viruses.

21. RCPS personnel who work with computer technology
Four computer technicians
Two technology trainers
One network specialist
One administrative software specialist
One secretary
Sixteen lab assistants
20 teachers who receive a supplement for being their school’s “computer trouble shooter.”

22. Our website: www.rockingham.k12.va.us
Provides information of all sorts for visitors
Provides calendars, benchmarks, and hundreds of educational links for students, teachers, and parents
Provides access to forms, handbooks, directories, programs of study, etc. for employees
Has approximately 10,000 practice SOL problems
Provides a site for schools to post their websites.
Averages 60,000 “hits” each day. The most commonly visited web site within RCPS is Elkton Middle School’s.

23. Upcoming Projects Update of our Technology Plan
Preparing middle schools to test online
Update of various labs
Update infrastructure in middle and elementary schools
Increase bandwidth to various sites
Two way interactive video
AV projection systems for high school lecture rooms

24. What’s in the future for computer technology in RCPS?
More online testing
More wireless networking
Wireless networking is currently used for most mobile units and in some buildings.
Controlled for some students
Video streaming (instructional video-on-demand)
Web-delivered instruction
Handheld computers (PDA’s)??
Laptops for students??

25. Results of February 2002 Student Survey
Survey conducted on-line, at school
For Middle and High School Students
Completed in computer labs during English class (High School and Grade 6) or Computer Technology Class (Grades 7 and 8)
Over 3,300 responses
Survey can be viewed at

26. Do you have at least one computer at home?
For high school students, 94% reported that they have a computer at home

27. Do you have at least one computer at home with Internet access?
For high school students, 87% reported that they have a computer at home with Internet access

28. How many nights per week do you use your home computer?

29. Would you be interested in taking a course delivered via two-way interactive television?

30. Would you be interested in taking a course delivered via the internet?

31. How do you rate the quality of computer technology in RCPS?

32. How do you rate the quality of technology training you’ve received in RCPS?

33. What technology/services would you like for RCPS to provide for you?
Server for posting webpages (31%)
Laptops for overnight checkout (33%)
Cheap internet access from home (48%)
Web based method for transferring files between home and school (54%)
Access to from within RCPS (58%)
Laptops for full-time use (80%)

34. Thanks for your continued support of computer technology in Rockingham County Public Schools
Your support enables the students and employees of Rockingham County to say with confidence...

35. When it comes to learning, we click!