STar Chart Educator Preparation & Development / Opinion Piece

From the four areas of the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, I chose Educator Preparation & Development. This section is the accountability for training teachers in becoming proficient at using the technology and integrating it successfully into the classroom. It also determines the level of proficiency the teachers feel that they are at technologically. I feel that many teachers score themselves too low in this area, while others score themselves too high. I also think this area can fluctuate. Not due to the school not training teachers, but to teacher turn over. Every year schools experience an influx of new staff. I feel that this can skew the results somewhat. The state results show that they are staying mostly in Developing and Advanced Tech. Not many schools are reaching Target Tech. However, my school has reached Target Tech. I have spoken with many other teachers from other schools that do not have near the technology that our school does. They do not know how we are able to pay for this. Our school has always made sure that we research what funds and grants are out there available to improve technology. Over the last 2 years we have been apart of Vision 20/20. Years before that we managed to purchase Smartboards for every classroom through the use of reading grants and end of the year surplus. My school also feels that it crucial to receive on going training and support through out the year. I think this is key for all schools. If they want to reach Target tech. they are going to have to have the faculty available to assist teachers. Not just at the beginning of the year in service, but all year long.