Breakout Sessions

Internet and Intranet Web Publishing Policies
Al Foytek, Visalia Unified School District
Guidelines for publishing student and adult staff/nonstaff work to the Internet or internal website are presented. Legal pitfalls are identified and VUSD specific guidelines are shared.

IS / EdTech Collaboration
Doug Calvin, Oak Grove Elementary School District
How to achieve a collaboration between the information systems organization and instructional technology? This session addresses this growing need through presentation of what Oak Grove has installed and why it was done.

Multiservice Access Routing
Sue Mangiapane, Cisco Systems, Inc.
As School Districts face escalating communication costs, Cisco is responding with the Cisco 3800, a low cost, multiservice access router that enables organizations to integrate all types of network traffic including voice, fax, legacy multiprotocol data, LAN traffic, and video, over a single WAN network.

Data Over Cable-TV
Lisa Downer and Mike Westbrook, Modesto City Schools
Data--the Final Frontier, and the 'final' presentation of Modesto City Schools experience utilizing cable-TV provider as the transport mechanism.

Internet Technical Academy (ITA)
Kathleen Barfield, WestEd
The ITA's first year as a clearinghouse and delivery system of technical training and support services for California's K-12 community is reviewed. The presentation identifies future opportunities for the 'front line' supporters of school technologies to identify their needs and to obtain training and other resources.

Techniques in Controlling Internet Access and Blocking Objectionable Materials
Farley Stewart, Internet Products, Inc.
This session focuses on different technologies that can be deployed to help manage and control Internet access for students. Specific topics include discussion of client and server based approaches, managing block site lists, and using audit trails to help enforce acceptable use policies.

Multi-Media Distribution Over Twisted Pair
John Mason, AMP
Learn the advantages, the investment, and the steps needed to achieve multi-media distribution through a twisted pair LAN.

From Cowpath to Infobahn: Tulare City Schools Moves Up
Mark Richmond, Tulare City School District
From a single, 20-user LAN in March 1996, 'ARTnet' at the K-8 TCSD has grown into a fully operational district-wide WAN. Planning and implementation of the network, including choices of fiber optics and microwave technologies are discussed. Special emphasis is given to network infrastructure and the system management choices that made rapid deployment possible.

Year 2000 Issues
Rick Nelson, California Department of Education
The CDE is nearing completion of their plan for addressing the millennium. It's more than ensuring that your centrally managed computer system will handle the progression from year 1999. What mission critical systems are in your users hands? Where will you find old, non 2000-compliant chip sets? Will your energy systems operate? How about your elevators?

We're On the 'Net...Now What?
Dr. Bob Price, Empire Union School District
Computers will only be as powerful as the instructional model they support. This session provides a superintendent's perspective. An overview of developing a strong network model, staff development and powerful strategies for student use.

Border Management
Joseph Rodehaver, Novell, Inc.
Providing student access to the Internet has continued to grow as an instructional focus. Schools are increasingly aware of the advantages and disadvantages that come with the electronic territory. Controlling access to the Internet is the focus of this session.

Network Technology Planning
George Sullivan, Northrop Grumman
This session addresses the process, roles to play and technologies to consider in planning for a network. The discussion will take a comprehensive look at building school and district networks.

What's Next? Decision Support Tools!
Janet Moore, Kent (Washington) School District
How do we get answers to the myriad of questions asked within the district? By the community? By the state? Daily access to decision support tools through use of networks and data warehousing is an answer. A process to turn clumps of data into connected, meaningful information is presented.

Enhancing Instruction and Communication with Computer Networks
Larry Schlocker, Education Access
This presentation is a practical demonstration of the benefits of network technology in a school setting, facilitating collaborative and constructive learning, communication and information resource sharing.

Reducing the Total Cost of Owning a Network
Mike Drennan, Microsoft Corporation
The Windows platform is evolving to help organizations reduce the total cost of owning a PC based network. This discussion focuses on the zero administration initiative, including new hardware platforms such as the net PC and Windows terminal, and where they sit in the enterprise.

Panel Discussions

Implementing Student Systems
How to choose a new student information system? How to build one? What are the steps? Indeed, what are the questions? Panelists will address the issues from evaluating student information system options to being ready for the users.

Intranets, Extranets, Future School Computing
More and more, Internet protocols and technologies are being used for internal applications, and as cross platform delivery systems for 'trading partners' or other entities with closely shared interests. What are some concrete examples within the K-12 community? What other trends are emerging for doing our everyday work? Where is all this going? Are any of us there yet?

E-Rate
The May, 1997 ruling by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made K-12 schools available for discounts ranging from 20-90 percent on a variety of telecommunications services. What is the Universal Service Fund for schools and libraries? What services are covered? How and when does one apply? Where does one obtain guidance, and the latest news? The E-Rate (education rate) can greatly leverage your technology budgets--if you've been out of the loop, here's your opportunity to tune in.

State Account Code Structure
Martin Harris, Fiscal Services Consultant, leads a panel composed of representatives from each of the four consortia developing financial systems meeting California's directive (AB438) for a standard state account code structure.

Statewide Data Collections
Several states are investigating the concept or have begun to collect individual student data directly from districts or through intermediaries such as the county offices of education. Hear what's happening in California through CSIS, in Alaska through OASIS, and in Nevada through SMART.

Mission Critical Databases
Which data are mission critical? There is mass proliferation of database technology--what are the pitfalls of the departmental and/or desktop databases? What are solutions to accessing your most critical information, and for keeping it safe? What is data warehousing and how can it help?