Campus STaR Chart Analysis

The Texas Long Range Plan for Technology includes four main sections. Teaching and Learning. Educator Preparation and Development, Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support, and Infrastructure for Technology. For this blog I will be focusing on Educator Preparation and Development.

What exactly is Educator Preparation and Development? To put it simply, it is training for teachers, whether initial or ongoing, that supports the transformation of teaching and learning. The long range plan would like for all teachers to have the proper training in technology. From those just entering whose preparation programs should model the appropriate use of technology to veteran teachers whose districts and campuses should provide on-going job-embedded professional development.

After reviewing the 2007-08 State-wide Summary Data for the Texas STaR Charts it is easy to see that a majority of schools fall into the Developing Technology category with 74.2%. My campus, and district for that matter, falls within the developing category and we have been for the past three years. I find it unfortunate that so many schools are still in the developing stages.

I have found that most campuses spend a majority of their time and budget on bringing technology into their schools but fail to follow through with the proper training or staff development to help teachers incorporate the new technology into their classrooms. The recommendations listed in the Plan are a great start for all of the different entities involved in education but without follow through from each of the entities, we will not have the success we desire.

It is my recommendation that all campuses, districts, service centers, state boards, and education agencies do a self assessment to see where they are in their progress of meeting the recommendations set by the Plan. This will help every entity see their part in the success or failure of our goals. I also recommend that principals make it their number one priority, when it comes to professional development, to make sure that all of their staff is properly trained and prepared to use any technology that the school has available on their campus.