S Ta R Chart
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Sunday, November 29, 2009
Park Lakes Elementary STaR Chart
In order to assess the growth of educational technology in texas classrooms, TEA created the STaR chart. The STaR chart is directly aligned with the Texas Long Range Plan and is compliance with the national No Child Left Behind implemented by President George W. Bush. The STaR chart is broken into four domains: Teaching and Learning; Educator Preparation and Development; Leadership, Administration, and Instructional Support, and Infrastructure for Technology. Each Domain is rated on a 1 to 4 scale labeled Early Tech, Developing Tech, Advanced Tech and Target tech
The Teaching and Learning Domain of the STaR chart focus on teacher implementation and classroom and instruction management. An Early Tech rating in this domain has Teacher centered instruction with limited use of instructional software and no tech integration on fundamental subject area TEKS. A Developing Tech rating has teacher centered instruction with technological integrations and informational resources utilized and individually practiced, but minimal use for meeting TEKS. An Advanced Tech rating is given to a classroom that is Teacher facilitated with students working in groups to analyze data and solve problem. Technology is integrated into TEKS and all Technology TEKS are met from grades K-8. A Target Tech rating classroom is teacher facilitated with the teacher acting as co learner and mentor. On demand access to Technology is available toe complete seamlessly integrated assignments. All technology techs are met in grades K-8
Park Lakes Elementary opened to the district in the 2006-07 school year. The year before, the area had experienced a growth in housing with sub prime lending in full effect., and business growth.. Park lakes opened its doors with 350 more enrolled students than projected. Over 70% of students were on reduced or free lunch and over 75% of our students were from low socio- economic status. The inaugural year, PL 60% of its staff member having only 1 or 2 yrs teaching experience.
Park lakes received a Early Tech rating in the Teaching and Learning Domain which was in the bottom 5.4% with 419 other Texas STaR charted schools. The many department budgets had to me reallocated to other budget areas to best meet the needs of the large student population. The following year, 2007-08 PLE was granted a Title I status and was also received a Unacceptable TAKS score rating. PLE was in a reactive role to an unpredicted scenario. The same year PLE also received an Early Tech rating due to large student population and fairly new teachers. This falls behind in growth with according to the STaR Chart showing a decrease from 5.4% to 3.9%. PLE was still a teacher centered instructional school with limited Technological Integrations. By 2008-09 PLE was awarded a Developing Tech status showing growth in integrated technology and instruction, and addressing the fundamental TEKS with technology. Statewide results have not been posted to compare with PLE, but the growth show tremendous gain for a young school attempting to establish itself as a Premier Title I school.
The teachers at park lakes are still learning the best way to met the needs of low income students while meeting necessary TEKS and technology standards. While Park Lakes Elementary has really focused on professional growth programs that establish a caring, safe and nurturing environment in the past, the school may need to start focusing professional growth toward teacher instruction. Professional growth focusing one technology integration and instruction would be able to address the students educational needs. Combined with the already nurturing and safe environment, PLE would be able to flourish and raise its STaR chart rating as well as its overall TAKS rating.
The Teaching and Learning Domain of the STaR chart focus on teacher implementation and classroom and instruction management. An Early Tech rating in this domain has Teacher centered instruction with limited use of instructional software and no tech integration on fundamental subject area TEKS. A Developing Tech rating has teacher centered instruction with technological integrations and informational resources utilized and individually practiced, but minimal use for meeting TEKS. An Advanced Tech rating is given to a classroom that is Teacher facilitated with students working in groups to analyze data and solve problem. Technology is integrated into TEKS and all Technology TEKS are met from grades K-8. A Target Tech rating classroom is teacher facilitated with the teacher acting as co learner and mentor. On demand access to Technology is available toe complete seamlessly integrated assignments. All technology techs are met in grades K-8
Park Lakes Elementary opened to the district in the 2006-07 school year. The year before, the area had experienced a growth in housing with sub prime lending in full effect., and business growth.. Park lakes opened its doors with 350 more enrolled students than projected. Over 70% of students were on reduced or free lunch and over 75% of our students were from low socio- economic status. The inaugural year, PL 60% of its staff member having only 1 or 2 yrs teaching experience.
Park lakes received a Early Tech rating in the Teaching and Learning Domain which was in the bottom 5.4% with 419 other Texas STaR charted schools. The many department budgets had to me reallocated to other budget areas to best meet the needs of the large student population. The following year, 2007-08 PLE was granted a Title I status and was also received a Unacceptable TAKS score rating. PLE was in a reactive role to an unpredicted scenario. The same year PLE also received an Early Tech rating due to large student population and fairly new teachers. This falls behind in growth with according to the STaR Chart showing a decrease from 5.4% to 3.9%. PLE was still a teacher centered instructional school with limited Technological Integrations. By 2008-09 PLE was awarded a Developing Tech status showing growth in integrated technology and instruction, and addressing the fundamental TEKS with technology. Statewide results have not been posted to compare with PLE, but the growth show tremendous gain for a young school attempting to establish itself as a Premier Title I school.
The teachers at park lakes are still learning the best way to met the needs of low income students while meeting necessary TEKS and technology standards. While Park Lakes Elementary has really focused on professional growth programs that establish a caring, safe and nurturing environment in the past, the school may need to start focusing professional growth toward teacher instruction. Professional growth focusing one technology integration and instruction would be able to address the students educational needs. Combined with the already nurturing and safe environment, PLE would be able to flourish and raise its STaR chart rating as well as its overall TAKS rating.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Pre K TEKS
In my week one assignment I chose the k-2 TEKS to assess because that is the instructional level of my applied skills 16 year old students in my secondary class. As I reviewed the Pre-K TEKS I immediately saw the foundations that my children were missing. The Pre K TEKS begin by modeling and guiding the young learners on software and informational technology with oral and visual cues. This familiarizes the the students and prepares them for K-2 TEKS such as foundation TEKS 126.2.b.2b where students begin to use the proper tools to input and analyze data on product an process. The Pre K TEKS also develop the young learners ability to create information acquisition and problem solving skills that are necessary at higher grade levels. The teachers at the Pre K level begin by teaching them where and how to use web site information which in tern develops the students responsibility and ethics needed at the higher grade levels. As well the scaffolding between the for Pre K Technology TEKS allows practice of one TEKS to support and nurture the skills needed for the other TEKS. One example of this scaffolding is students using drawing programs develop skills for text and graphic analysis, but it allows the student time to develop skills to practice using different interfaces like touch pads, keyboards and a mouse.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
the Texas Long Range Plan
Many of the goals and visions the state is trying to achieve in its Texas Long Range Plan have been reiterated each year at the Humble ISD Back to School teacher rallies. One detail that I was shocked to learn about was that administrators and leaders had to develop a continuity plan for students in time of a disaster. I guess it makes all the sense in the world, but I just never thought about what could happen and how a school or district would approach a disastrous situation. I also was not aware that a technical support team had to be readily available 24 hrs a day in case the infrastructure fails or security is compromised. This new knowledge will be useful as an administrator. I am a person that attacks a problem immediately to assess total damages and repair. If I discovered that part of the infrastructure (network) went down at 10:30 pm, I would be able to immediately address the situation with the help of tech support. I know it doesn’t sound like a big inspirational moment, but with my luck in life, everything always seems to go wrong exactly when you need it to be right the most. Its my dumb luck but it will also be my dumb luck as an administrator. As for technology integration, it is comforting to know that use of sources will be immediately addressed so that students are able to maintain educational technology.
No Such Thing as a Stupid Question…(except in surveys)
I found the Technology Applications Inventory to be very revealing for my current position and future goals. The TAI is a survey that ask specific abilities about your technological experience. Broken into domains, the TAI allows the participant to identify areas of strengths and weaknesses in technology.
This survey is very revealing to my current position and future goals of administration. As a musician who uses many different softwares to produce music and video, I have had a lot of experiens with digital technology and interface software. I have also had a lot of internet experience in chat rooms and site boards posting questions and trouble shooting software or technique complications. I have experience with photo editing, video presentation, and word processing software. One software I need and want more experience in is spreadsheet and data software. The survey reflected this information showing that I was strong in knowledge of formats, software, interface and network experience. The TAI also reflected my weakness with programs like Microsoft EXCEL and SWISS data programs. The TAI is a great reflection of personal knowledge in Technology.
The State Educational Technology Directors Association survey (SETDA) is a survey that focuses more on the application of technology into instruction. This survey was less useful toward my current position but very knowledge for my future administrative goals. As a high school applied skills teacher at the Behavior Training Center, the most restrictive special education environment in the Humble ISD. I try to incorporate technology into my instruction as much as possible but I have to make sure that it does not raise the instruction above the level of my students. I also have to limit my students access do to violent and destructive behaviors. The SETDA does , however, allows me to know what I will be looking for on a regular campus as an administrator. The SETDA is a survey that is more campus based than the TAI and is more focused on data to reflect technology infused in instruction.
This survey is very revealing to my current position and future goals of administration. As a musician who uses many different softwares to produce music and video, I have had a lot of experiens with digital technology and interface software. I have also had a lot of internet experience in chat rooms and site boards posting questions and trouble shooting software or technique complications. I have experience with photo editing, video presentation, and word processing software. One software I need and want more experience in is spreadsheet and data software. The survey reflected this information showing that I was strong in knowledge of formats, software, interface and network experience. The TAI also reflected my weakness with programs like Microsoft EXCEL and SWISS data programs. The TAI is a great reflection of personal knowledge in Technology.
The State Educational Technology Directors Association survey (SETDA) is a survey that focuses more on the application of technology into instruction. This survey was less useful toward my current position but very knowledge for my future administrative goals. As a high school applied skills teacher at the Behavior Training Center, the most restrictive special education environment in the Humble ISD. I try to incorporate technology into my instruction as much as possible but I have to make sure that it does not raise the instruction above the level of my students. I also have to limit my students access do to violent and destructive behaviors. The SETDA does , however, allows me to know what I will be looking for on a regular campus as an administrator. The SETDA is a survey that is more campus based than the TAI and is more focused on data to reflect technology infused in instruction.
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