1. CYPRESS
FAIRBANKS
ISD
Adaptation of image from NYC Bar Program Careers in Technology
21st Century Learning Enhanced by
Technology

2. District Facts
Cypress Fairbanks  Cypress Fairbanks is one of
Located Northwest of Houston, Texas the largest school districts in
Texas
 Includes 11 high, 16 middle
and 52 elementary schools, as
well as 4 special program
facilities (Cy-Fair ISD, March
01, 2011)
 Named “Best Large School
District in Texas” by the
H-E-B Excellence in
Education Awards
(Pape, 2012) in May 2012
Adaptation of image from www.houstonareaschooldistricts.com

3. District Facts
CFISD currently has:
 83 campuses
 106,114 students
 45% of student population Economically Disadvantaged
 100% of campuses have internet connectivity
 3:1 ratio of students to computers
 1:1 ratio of teacher to computers
 Budget of $516.40 in tech expenditures per pupil (Cy-Fair
ISD, March 01, 2011)
CFISD introduced computing technology into its schools before 1994. To date
CFISD has seen “a rapid infusion of services and capabilities” (Cy Fair
ISD, 2011) throughout the district.

4. District’s Vision
CFISD seeks to provide its teachers and
students with necessary tools that
enhance instruction and learning in the
digital age.
“The Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District will
be an exemplary educational community, dedicated to the
highest standards of quality at all levels and in all areas of
endeavor. All students, parents, community members,
and district employees, respecting and valuing each
other, will be committed to providing all students with an
education which enables them to live successfully in an
ever-changing society” (CFISD Student Handbook, n.d., p. HB-2).

5. Current Use of Technology
 Curriculum-based software for students PK-12
 Integrated textbook software
 District-wide professional development in technology
 On-line library services (at school and from home)
 High speed Internet access
 Network storage for collaboration and sharing of best
practices
 Computer access and printers for teachers
 Electronic grades (including parent access) and e-mail
 Wireless laptops for students, including a 1:1 program in 11th
grade United States History
 Distance learning technology and web conferencing
technology (Cy-Fair, March 01, 2011, p. 4)

6. Current Use of Technology
24/7 anytime access for http://projectsharetexas.org/
students, teachers and, in
some instances, parents
connection to Cloud http://educatorcommunity.scholastic.com/
resources like,
Project Share, http://www.brainpop.com/
Read 180 Community
Blogs, and Brain Pop.

7. Current Use of Technology
CFISD Provides an Innovative District Website
Cy-Fair TV PDF Info Docs
Cy-Fair Podcasts

8. Proposed Technology Expansions
1. Increase frequency and level of tech utilization in teaching &
learning
2. Maintain and increase the level of and access to educator
professional development
3. Continue investments in leadership and supports as well as in
upgrades and new technology
4. Provide infrastructure that allows all users 24/7 access to
achieve Advance or Target Tech levels consistent with Texas
STaR
“In developing this plan, CFISD has used STaR, LRPT, the TEKS as
well as 21st Century Learning Skills and the International Society for
Technology in Education Standards as the principal determinants of
need” (Cypress-Fairbanks, 2011, p. 4).

9. Anticipated Outcomes
 Seamless integration of technology into a student
centered learning environment
 Increased variety and frequency of tech tools used
within the learning design
 Increase use of tools that demonstrate Advanced
Tech collaboration and tech application
 100% staff participation in at least 20 hours of
technology professional development
 Improved district level innovation that improves
student achievement and operational effectiveness

10. Recommendations
1. Expand the stakeholders included in district planning and
projection to not only “district stakeholders”.
Include collaboration with schools, institutions of higher
learning, businesses, and people beyond district geography to
promote an equity of access effort that allows anytime, anywhere
access for all.

11. Recommendations
2. Create a plan and policy that allows
students to Bring Your Own Tech
(BYOT) across the district.
This would comply with the
National Education Technology
Plan 2010 recommendation that
“Internet access devices [are
available] for every student and
teacher” (Nagel, p. 2) and increase
schools’ ability to connect every
child to a computer or internet
device for instruction.

12. References
Cy-Fair ISD Technology Plan 2011-2014. (March 01, 2011). Retrieved from
http://www.cfisd.net/dept2/technology/Technology%20Plan.pdf
Cypress-Fairbanks independent School District. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.cfisd.net/
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Student Handbook. ( n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.cfisd.net/aboutour/studenthdbk.pdf
Durham, K., Taylor, J., & Foster, K. (2008). Cy-Fair ISD a family history. Retrieved from
http://www.cfisd.net/movies/history/history.htm

13. Nagel, D. (2010, November 9). National ed tech plan puts technology at the heart of education
reform. The journal. Retrieved from http://thejournal.com/articles/2010/11/09/national-ed-
tech-plan-puts-technology-at-the-heart-of-education-reform.aspx?sc_lang=en
Pape, J. (2112, May 8). Cy-Fair ISD named best large school district in Texas. Instant news
Katy.com. Retrieved from http://instantnewskaty.com/2012/05/08/35540
[Untitled photograph of a earth with arrows]. Retrieved May 12, 2012, from
http://tourolawcso.blogspot.com/2012/03/nyc-bar-program-careers-in-technology.html

14. [Untitled map of Greater Houston school districts]. Retrieved May 12, 2012, from:
http://www.houstonareaschooldistricts.com/
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology. (2010). Transforming
american education: learning powered by technology, Washington, D.C. Retrieved
from http://www.ed.gov/sites/default/files/netp2010.pdf
Williams, J. (2007). Main title/rebel blockade runner. On A new hope [MP3]. New
York, NY: Sony Music Classical.