Assessment of Educator Preparation and Development of the Texas STaR Chart

The STaR Chart was develpoed in an effort to progress technology learning in classrooms across the state of Texas. By using the STaR Chart teachers and administrators can monitor their progress at a state and local level. The goal is that all Texas classrooms will have the technology available for students to excell. Texas Legislature feels that it is important for all studetns to be technologically advanced when they graduate from high school, and the STaR Chart is one of the tools that school districts use for monitoring their own progress. Educator Preperation and Development is one of the four domains that the STaR chart assesses. This assessment is broken down into four levels of progress. These levels are early, developing, advanced and target technology. Most school districts are still in the developing or advanced level for Educator Preperation and Development. To reach the Target level, schools must show there are regular technology school centered projects, there is vertical alignment of the TEKS, and 100% of the educators meet SBEC standards. Also there must be at least 30% of the budget allocated for professional development.
I personally believe there has been great progress at the local and state levels in the area of Teacher Preparation and Development. Schools go to great lengths to provide technology trainings for their teachers and administrators. This is important, because many of the students of today learn with the use of technology. Whether is be by using a computer or presenting your notes in a powerpoint presentation.
There has been great improvement at my school in the area of technology. I believe this has to continue to improve. Teachers must be willing to learn and adapt, and administrators must push and sell the importance of technology development in the classroom.