Continue Counting!

As you may be aware, the annual California School Technology Survey (CSTS) was suspended for this year. As such, schools will not be asked to count their computers and report online to the state on technology integration at their sites.

However, we are suggesting that minimally, schools and districts continue to collect that information for this year to keep a running total of computers at each of their sites.

One importance in keeping this information up to date is that this data is needed to keep a district’s state-approved technology plan current in meeting its annual benchmarks. Most, if not all districts, report their progress to their local school boards some time near the end of the school year. Having that information most assuredly keeps technological progress happening at their school sites.

Secondly, this information can be useful in planning for next school year’s purchases in technology. While many districts are struggling to balance their budgets, there is a substantial amount of money coming to California schools that is earmarked for technology. Having a plan in place for the expenditure of this money is certainly enhanced by knowing each site’s current technology needs.

Finally, again with regard to tech plans, approximately 30 RIMS districts will be revising their district tech plan that will expire in June 2010. Having the annual data on hand for the tech plan revision by the district tech team will be an enormous help when plans are written this fall.

RIMS CTAP encourages all districts to maintain an annual inventory of some sort, akin to the CSTS, to keep pace with district needs. We suggest that you consider using a TICAL-prepared document, School Site Technology Inventory, which can be found at http://www.portical.org/SchoolSiteTechInventory.doc