Inquire, Advise, Advocate

In October 2006, the Department of Information Technology invited community members and school staff to serve on an advisory committee for technology in the Newton Schools. The Technology Advisory Committee offers the school system the exciting opportunity to join the interests and values of the community with the expertise of school department professionals. The Technology Advisory Committee's role is to Inquire, Advise, Advocate.

Charter

The charter of the advisory committee is to provide a vehicle for community input into the development of an updated four-year technology plan.  (Newton’s Three-Year Technology Plan, 2008-2011 can be accessed at http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Technology/techplanning/index.html/).

The primary focus of the advisory committee will be to research, advise and advocate for a variety of successful strategies that support teaching and student learning, allowing Newton to develop and implement the best possible technology program within current fiscal restraints.

The Technology Advisory Committee members were required to apply for a spot on the committee and submit a resume.  Each one of the thirty-seven members has chosen to serve on one of the following subcommittees:

• Computing Models
• Emerging Technologies
• Funding and Partnerships
• Public Relations
• Technology Integration
• Universal Design and Access

During the year the six subcommittees investigated various best practices of technology and reported their findings In June 2007. To help with this investigation, the schools participated in a technology audit by Sun Associates, Inc during the spring of 2007.

The summary and final report of NPS? Instructional Technology Audit by Sun Associates is located in Breaking News.

Attached is the Technology Advisory Committee Final Report (9/07).
Contact:

Shelley Chamberlain
Director of Information Technology
shelley_chamberlain@newton.k12.ma.us