2.1 Texas Technology STaRs

The Texas STaR chart measures technology usage and knowledge in public schools. The chart is completed by teachers and then an administrator completes the campus chart. It is divided into 4 areas of concern, on our campus, Teaching and Learning does not seem to have the improvement that other areas do. Teaching and Learning establishes expectations that include the seamless integration of technology, solving real-life problems, on demand access to instructional resources, cross-curricular and online learning activities, and the TA TEKS and student mastery. This area only improved 1 point in two years. The score still falls into the range of the national and district average, but more improvement is greatly needed. The key to improving this is area is to ensure teachers are comfortable with technology and demonstrating how technology can improve learning. Our campus is heavily focused on improving TAKS scores. If a teacher and/or department feel they are successful on the TAKS test doing things their way, they are less likely to try something new. I think it is important to continue to provide professional development and team planning time to those teachers currently using technology. This will help them continue their journey and integrate more technology. The reluctant teachers need a different approach. I will try one to one planning sessions with these teachers as well as team teaching lessons that integrate technology. It will also be beneficial to get input from these individuals. We need to hear their concerns and their suggestions for improvement. They now have ownership over the improvement plan and will make implementing it go more smoothly.