Emmott Elementary STaR Chart findings for the 2008-2009 school year are explained and challenges are introduced in order to prepare teachers for the upcoming school year.
Emmott Elementary STaR Chart findings for the 2008-2009 school year are explained and challenges are introduced in order to prepare teachers for the upcoming school year.
2. 21st Century Teaching and Learning provides on-going data through the StaR Chart survey for teachers and Speak Up 2009 survey for students. House Bill 3171, Section 38.023 required TEA to develop a list of resources addressing internet safety. The Internet Safety website at TE A is available at: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/technology (p19).
3. Technology Immersion Pilots (TIP) is funded by NCLB Title II grants for technology. During the 2008 school year, this grant provided 39 middle schools technical support and productivity tools. Teachers were facilitators with the tools to teach students both within and beyond the classroom.
4. Vision 2020 Grant is also funded by NCLB Title II funds. The purpose of this grant initiative is to increase academic progress of teachers and student who are participating in the project (p27). It is intended to increase capacity of the Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN) online courses.
5. Target Tech in Texas (T3) Grant a NCLB Title II grant is utilized to improve instructional teaching strategies in math and science. It promotes collaboration among teachers and improves staff development programs.
6. Connections Grant is funded by House Bill 2893. This grant focuses on recruiting local educational agencies (LEAs) in order to enhance statewide connections with schools, teachers, and students.
7. R-tech, House Bill 2864, was designed to connect rural school districts with online resources. It provides distant learning opportunities to smaller school districts.
8. Electronic Course Program (eCP) purpose is to provide full-time online learning opportunities for grades 3-9 who are not physically present on campus during instruction (p59).
9. Interactive Videoconferencing (IVC) is national and statewide distant learning through videoconferencing. This allows more opportunities for professional growth and experience.
10. K-12 Databases provides students resources they can access for projects and research. They are databases that have been evaluated based on safety and the amount of material and information they provide.
12. Project Share is a collection of 2.0 tools and applications that provide high quality professional development in an interactive and engaging environment (p81).
13. STAR Grant funded through NCLB Title II to improve professional development programsSummary<br /> In my opinion the state has been very aggressive in developing their standards and pursuing grants and initiates that will improve technology education. However, technology innovation is moving at a much faster pace than the state. The STaR Chart shows that we are slowly progressing, but we have a long way before we reach Target Tech level. Having the technology standards provides a guideline for teachers to evaluate their instruction and gauge their progress. The standards are clear and should be integrated into classroom instruction. However, I think that some teachers are still very insecure using technology in their classrooms. Teachers need more hands-on instruction and follow-up professional development to increase their confidence and skill levels. Unfortunately there may be some teachers that will not change unless this is part of their PDAS or CEI's. <br />Resources:<br />Texas Education Agency, (2010). 2010 Progress report on the long-range plan for technology, 2006-2020: A report to the 82nd Texas Legislature. Retrieved from http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=5082&menu_id=2147483665 <br />
![In this progress report, each of the 20 Region Service Centers submits a report that details their progress and strategies for the future related to the Long-Range Plan for Technology. All regions were required to implement Phase 1, 2006-2010, of the Long-Range Plan. They needed to address the following four categories: Teaching and Learning; Educator Preparation and Development; Leadership, Administration, and Instructional Support; and Infrastructure. To evaluate their plans for effectiveness they utilize the STaR Chart online survey administered each school year to all educators within their region. In addition the progress report shows new initiatives and grants that have been put in place to enhance technology. The report testifies to the resourcefulness of Texas educators and other stakeholders as they continue to leverage resources and programs for their students (p 8). <br />Statewide Comparison Results from 2008-2009 and 2009-2010<br />Data was collected through the Texas Campus STaR Chart online surveys. This survey is an opportunity for educators/teachers to evaluate themselves, the campus, and district technology resourcefulness and effectiveness. The data gathered identifies areas of greatest need. As I looked at this two year data, I notice that in all four areas the majority of educators, campuses, and districts are performing in the developing technology level. In 2009-2010 school year, we did increase the advanced technology level of development. However, we have a lot of strategizing, structural development and professional training to do before reaching our target technology level. <br /> Teaching and Learning<br /> <br />There was a 6.4% decrease in Developing Tech level which indicates that more campuses are reaching the Advanced or Target Tech levels. Star Chart shows teachers are applying TEKS at a higher level of implementation. <br />Educator Preparation and Development<br />The graph shows that this area had the least amount of change from 2009 to 2010 school years.<br />Administration & Support<br />E-rate and competitive grants are used to increase technical support staff, one to 500 computers. In 2008-2009, 50.2% of Texas teachers reported they were at the Advanced Tech level in comparison to 55% in 2009-2010. There is some progression in this area. <br />Infrastructure<br />This area showed the biggest increase in the Target Tech level. <br />Applications, Grants, and Initiatives<br />,[object Object]](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/texaslong-rangeplanprogressreport-110305171809-phpapp02/85/Texas-long-range-plan-progress-report-1-320.jpg)
