Texas Star Chart Opinion

The Texas Star chart is divided into four areas. One of those areas is Teaching and Learning. The area of teaching and learning is further divided into Patterns of Classroom use, Frequency/Design of Instructional Setting Using Digital Content, Content Area Connections, Technology Applications TEKS Implementation, Student Mastery of Technology Applications, and Online Learning.



Locally my campus is in the stage of Developing Tech in this area. This means we have regular access to computers at least once a week, students are able to utilize technology applications, most teachers utilize technology to support learning, teachers are aware of the TEKS and 25% to 50% of the students have mastered the TEKS.



Statewide 70% of the campus fall in the developing stage in this area. This shows that a majority of the state needs to improve in this area. According to Texas's Long Range Plan we are striving for a Target Tech. Only .9% of schools are in the desired target area. Although we fall in the norm nationally in this area, we still have a long way to go to reach the target by 2020.



To increase in this area I believe we can increase professional development. This will give teachers ideas that they can utilize in the classroom. I believe that teachers lack the time to directly teach technology TEKS. Giving teachers an opportunity and time to plan in this area will help teachers colloborate and implement teaching strategies that will move students to the target mastery. Also, having a technology showcase each year will ensure that teachers are utilizing and implementing technology in the classroom. This will also help inform parents and get community involvement in the teaching and learning of technology. Having the accountability to produce products will give a measurable assessment of what students are mastering as well.