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.