Summary of Texas STaR Chart and Long-Range Plan

The Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 contains aggressive goals that all campuses are expected to achieve. Unfortunately, many of these goals are dependent on state funding. If there is no funding available from the state to the school districts, then the districts are not able to fund the schools. Yet schools are expected to provide the necessary instruction for students to succeed in today’s information world. The key area of Educator Preparation and Development, teachers are required to “use technology effectively in the teaching-learning process”[1], in order guide students through the learning process. They are also required to integrate the technology throughout the curriculum which can provide ample opportunities for students to become proficient in the use and uses of technology. According to the Texas Long-Range Plan, in order for our students to become proficient users of technology, our teachers must also become proficient users, so they can be effective teachers.
The Texas Campus STaR Chart Summary in the Key Area II: Educator Preparation and Development indicate that we need significant improvement because we have a “Developing Tech” classification. (Texas Campus STaR Chart) In comparison, the Campus Statewide Summary shows that overall the state classification is also “Developing Tech” in this key area. Based on the goals of the Long-Range Plan, neither our campus nor the state is on target. With only 40% of educators meeting SBEC standards, we are well behind the Plan target. (Campus Statewide Summary). Similar trends occur in other key areas, such as Teaching & Learning, our campus received a “Developing Tech” classification and the state received the same classification for the same key area.
Recommendations for improvement unfortunately would be dependent on funding. Based on the Long-Range Plan, funding has fallen short of the target of $50 per student in 2007-2008; instead it was only $27 per student. (Long-Range Plan) In order for our students to receive the necessary instruction to continue on the path of improvement, I recommend the government provide and require teachers to meet the SBEC technological standards by a set time limit. If teachers, administrators and other necessary staff do not comply with the time limit, then their teaching license should be temporarily revoked until they meet the minimum requirements. This may seem harsh and unusual punishment, but if it affects our students’ success, then they should be held accountable.

Citations:
Texas Education Agency (2008, September 15). Campus Statewide Summary by Key Area. Retrieved from http://starchart.esc12.net/docs/campusSWSummarybyKA20072008.pdf on November 27, 2009.

Texas Education Agency (2006, December). Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020. Retrieved from http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/technology/lrpt/LRPTCompleteDec06.pdf on November 27, 2009.
[1] Texas Education Agency (2006, December). Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020. Retrieved from http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/technology/lrpt/LRPTCompleteDec06.pdf on November 28, 2009.