The document summarizes the Texas STaR Chart data from Patrick Henry Middle School from 2006 to 2009. It shows the school's strengths in infrastructure for technology but weaknesses in teaching and learning. The greatest decrease was seen from 2006-2008 in all areas measured by the STaR Chart. The author concludes that teaching and learning should be the focus for an online learning community discussion in order to better prepare both teachers and students for 21st century skills through non-traditional teaching methods using technology.

1. Texas STaR ChartThe School Technology and Readiness ChartPatrick Henry Middle SchoolBy Eric Higgins

2. AgendaMission StatementWhat is the Texas STaR ChartThe Texas STaR Chart is designed to:Sharing Campus STaR Chart DataData ChartDiscuss Trends from 2006 to 2009Summary and Conclusions

3. Mission Statement The mission of Patrick Henry Middle School is to provide a strong and effective education that encourages all students to develop necessary skills and attitudes to become productive citizens in an ever-changing and multicultural society. We continuously develop and maintain a curriculum that is strong, flexible, and objective oriented with instruction geared to maximizing the goals and achievement of students. The result will be better educated, self-sufficient students capable of functioning in society.

4. What is the Texas Star ChartTexas Campus STaR Chart focuses on the four key areas of the Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020: Teaching and LearningEducator Preparation and DevelopmentLeadership, Administration and Instructional SupportInfrastructure for Technology

5. A STaR Chart is Designed to:Improve the technology planning and budgeting for resources.Evaluate and show progress in local technology projects.To annually show and report improvement in school district goals and requirements.Report the use and improvement of technology in schools.Determine the progress of a school district.

6. Sharing Campus STaR Chart DataCampus Statewide Summaryhttp://starchart.esc12.net/docs/campusSWSummarybyKA20072008.pdfhttp://starchart2.esc12.net/campusSearchlist.aspx?foryear=20062007&district=houston&campus=patrick%20henryhttp://starchart2.esc12.net/campusSearchlist.aspx?foryear=2072008&district=houston&campus=patrick%20henryhttp://starchart2.esc12.net/campusSearchlist.aspx?foryear=20082009&district=houston&campus=patrick%20henry

7. Data Chart

8. Trends from 2006 to 2009For the first 2 years scoring was at a steady level,but by 2008 there was a noticeable decrease in all areas.It seems that we have decreased and need muchimprovement as we reach to be a Target Technology school.

9. Summary and ConclusionWhat did the STaR Chart show as your campus’greatest strength? Do you agree with that assessment? Explain. Our campuses greatest strength was Infrastructure for Technology. We utilize a great deal of technology on my campus. When it comes to students, they use it often to complete small research assignments. As far as teachers, they use many varieties of technology to teach from, computer, overhead, DVD or audio presentation. In administration, we use it to publish information or to provide daily announcements to the campus. It is an important present and useful tool that my campus uses on a daily basis.

10. Summary and ConclusionWhat did the STaR Chart show as your campus’ greatest weakness? Do you agree with that assessment? Explain. The area of greatest weakness that I agree with is, Teaching and Learning. For the three years selected, we scored a total of 47. Many of the classrooms are set up to be teacher led learning environments, with direct teacher instruction. Student’s use of technology is more of analyzing and less creating. Technology is a constant evolving tool that that calls for student centered learning and collaboration. According to the development of the student, we need to move beyond basic skills. I believe there needs to be a definite, clear, and visible connection between what’s being taught and what’s being learned.

11. Summary and ConclusionIn an online learning community interaction, which STaR Chart area would you choose to introduce to the other members? What data supports your choice? In an online learning community interaction, the STaR Chart area that I would introduce would be Teaching and Learning. The data that supports my choice is the lack of it on my campus as well as the readings from “The Texas Challenge article, which focused on the importance of it. In the middle of the article it states, “...we must also prepare teachers far differently for significantly different roles, different students and different tools...”. Not only are we “teachers”, but we are also the learner. How can we teach more effectively if our skills and knowledge are not sharpened, monthly, weekly or even daily? The 21 Century is full of change, and in order for students of today to be efficient leaders, we have to prepare them, and that starts in the classrooms. I would introduce it to other members because this needs to be our focus. We need to understand that teaching and learning stands as president to the three other areas. We are teaching non-traditional students, so we in return need to have an open mind and step out into the non-traditional ways of teaching. We know what works so we use it more often that making what’s not working, work to it’s full potential, and that’s making sure that what we teach is of some value and that it’s actually being learned.