The mission of Dawson County Schools’ Technology Department is to provide support, leadership and direction in an environment where technology is a tool for instruction rather than the focus.  The integration of technology into the curriculum enriches the educational experience.  Student achievement can be maximized when teachers are adequately trained in technology integration and provided with up to date instructional technology equipment.

Teachers will use technology to support more effective and efficient instruction.  Teachers will use technology in the following ways:

• Use resource tools to access information that supports their instructional efforts
• Teach lessons using technology resources that provide for diverse student populations
• Use software that supports their administrative tasks (grade book and instructional materials)
• Use adaptive/assistive devices for special needs students
• Model responsible, ethical, and legal uses of technology
• Implement basic troubleshooting techniques

Students will use technology to facilitate learning and improve achievement.

Students will use technology in the following ways:

• Use resource tools to access information that supports their learning efforts
• Use software that supports their learning tasks
• Use technology resources to help support student achievement of the GPS Standards
• Demonstrate computer literacy skills as outlined in the GPS Technology Integration Standards
• Demonstrate responsible, ethical and legal uses of technology

Administrators will use technology throughout the system in support of more accurate and timely records management, teacher assessments and more powerful data reporting.

Administrators will use technology in the following ways:

• Use resource tools to improve student, personnel and financial records management
• Use technology resources to improve food, transportation and maintenance services
• Use software that supports budget management, staff evaluation, and community relations
• Model responsible, ethical, and legal uses of technology
• Evaluate the use of instructional technology in their schools

Parent and community members will use technology as a link to schools to help support and improve student achievement.

Parent and community members will use technology in the following ways:

• Monitor student progress through a secure, password-protected, online database
• Communicate with teachers via email and voice mail
• Access information through school and system websites

Dawson County Schools will achieve this vision by providing students, teachers, administrators and staff members with appropriate technology tools, training in the use of these tools, and support when problems arise.   The technology department is dedicated to improving student achievement through the use of GPS Standards.