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Teachers need access, training and time for implementing technology in their classrooms before they are ever required to be assessed or held accountable for technology proficiencies. TCTA championed that message, testifying in September 2006before the SBOE, where many state board members agreed with TCTA’s concerns and directed the TEA committee to start over with the plan.
As a result, TCTA was successful in getting many harmful provisions removed or improved in the draft State Board of Education Long-Range Plan on Technology 2006-2020. The revised plan was adopted by the SBOE and forwarded to the Legislature.
Major improvements include:
* Mastery of the technology applications standards will be required only after teachers have access to technology, quality professional development and time to implement new strategies in their classrooms.
* Language requiring teachers to be assessed on technology applications proficiencies was replaced with language stating that districts need strategies to measure the progress of students and teachers in meeting the technology applications proficiencies as access to technology and professional development becomes available.
* Provisions requiring the number of teachers mastering the technology applications proficiencies to be part of the accountability system were removed.
Reviewed: 10/17/08
