EDUC 5373 Innovative Leadership: Blog 5

 EDUC 5373: Week 5

The focus on my technology integration plan is aligned to supporting the needs of student digital literacy. While reliable internet access may not seem like an immediate factor within digital literacy, students need access to reliable and consistent internet access so they can gain valuable skills as they learn to navigate the digital world both safely and effectively. My district currently provides students with Chromebook use while at school through each teacher’s Chromecart within their classroom. If students need a Chromebook at home for homework completion or other academic reasons, they can check out a Chromebook to keep at home for the week. If students need internet access at home, they can apply for a hot spot from the district. These issues must first be addressed so students can practice valuable digital literacy skills both in school and at home. Broadband internet access would be extremely beneficial for students in my community as Anna has a clear socioeconomic divide. There is an equity issue as certain neighborhoods within Anna don’t have reliable internet access. Broadband internet access would help close the digital divide by providing assistance to millions of households (Marwell, 2021). These programs would help students implement the digital literacy skills that are needed to promote academic and career success. 

My technology integration plan focuses on implementing a digital literacy curriculum to help students practice using the internet both safely and effectively. Crossland (2018) outlines the importance of prioritizing educational technology’s role within student success by noting, “Technology tools are deeply entwined in the ways we learn, work, communicate, and play” (Crossland, 2018). Through ten thought provoking questions, ESSA examines how student learning outcomes improve when technology is used to support learning for all students. In the same way, ESSA can help fund educational technology by using Title IV-A funds (ISTE, 2018). By identifying these funds and forming grant committees to complete needs assessments, funding can be acquired to support educational technology purposes. Since these funds can be used for software and professional development, financial support can be applied to purchasing Common Sense Digital Literacy Curriculum and professional development on the program as well as the implementation of Triple E Framework. Understanding ESSA and Title IV-A funds are crucial to an effective implementation of my technology integration plan and helping students achieve digital literacy skills. 

In addition to Title IV-A and grant funding, another financial option can be found in the Federal Communications Commission (FCC, 2024). This program helps districts fund portions of their internet cost, allowing districts to save a significant portion of their technology and internet budget. By completing an eligibility check, districts can apply to receive discounts on telecommunications, internet access, and other internet related services. This program allows districts to keep pace with the increasing demand for internet access (FCC, 2024). Additionally, there is a block grant, the Student Support and Academic Enrichment grant, that would help support technology usage and costs as well. This program would be a great fit for my district as it would allow us to maximize funding potential as we move forward implementing our technology integration plan. To acquire these sources of additional funding, I would need to access and review our technology budget to find areas of support and opportunity. I would need to collaborate with stakeholders and grant writers to prepare for next steps to determine our future plans. Our technology budget specifically isn’t available online, but I can estimate the total campus technology budget is around $250,000 a year based on student Chromebooks, staff technology, curriculum costs, repairs, and other miscellaneous costs. These costs are based on the holistic 2024/2025 Anna ISD budget (Anna, 2024). This is a substantial percentage of our total budget, so these financial support options of the FCC program as well as ESSA funds through Title IV-A are a key component of implementing a successful technology integration system and helping students reach digital literacy proficiency. 


References 

ANNA ISD. (2024). Adopted budget for ANNA ISD. In ESC 12/Template/May 2009/Admin Lead-SF. https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1724685656/annaisdorg/lkzkvo6gpl9ekngq7vay/2425WebPostingforAdoptedBudget.pdf

Crossland, M. S. Ed., Ed. S., Gray, Ph. D., Reynolds, M. P. A., & American Institutes for Research. (2018). ESSA and Digital Learning: Closing the digital accessibility gap.

E-Rate: universal service program for schools and libraries. (2024, February 27). Federal Communications Commission. https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/universal-service-program-schools-and-libraries-e-rate

Marwell, E. & EDUCATIONSUPERHIGHWAY. (n.d.). A broadband affordability benefit to connect the unconnected. In EDUCATIONSUPERHIGHWAY. https://www.educationsuperhighway.org/wp-content/uploads/Broadband-Affordability-Gap-Report_December-2024.pdf

U.S. Congress, & DeSchryver, D. (2019). USING ESSA TO FUND EDTECH: GETTING THE MOST

OUT OF TITLE IV-A [Report].

Comments

  1. Trecia GeniusApril 19, 2025 at 8:35 AM

    The program implemented by your school district to provide students with computer access and home hotspots is a satisfactory short-term solution to address the digital access divide. This initiative is especially important since other districts facing similar challenges in maintaining continuity of learning outside the classroom have not been able to implement comparable programs.
    The information you have outlined, based on the resources from Crossland and ISTE, will effectively support the proposal for integrating a digital literacy curriculum. This curriculum aims to mitigate the access divide. Additionally, funding sources such as Title IV-A grants and ESSA provide opportunities for professional development and software that are suitable for the Digital Literacy Skills Plan.


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  2. JMSApril 19, 2025 at 6:47 PM

    This situation sounds very similar to the one in my district, where the district provides Chromebooks for use in school and allows students to take them home. It also provides access to hotspots that can be checked out if needed. I am also focusing on the need to teach students how to use the devices effectively, which requires teachers to know how best to teach with technology. Sounds like you have a good plan to fund your TIP as well. - Joanne Scott

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