Educator Preparation and Development

Educator Preparation and Development involves effective use of technology to integrate through all grade levels as well as subject areas. This area would cover the administration recognizing the benefits of technology and allowing for the budget to cover for professional development. Our campus has shown little improvement in this area, keeping us at "developing technology" status. The state's data shows that 74.2% is at "developing techology" in this area, with only .6% at "target technology." Developing Technology status reveals that technology is being used mainly for administrative tasks and classroom management. The use of online resources is present, and 40% of teachers must be meeting the SBEC standards. This status also reveals that 6-24% of the budget must be used for professional development. In looking at this area of the Long Range Plan, schools will need to effectively integrate technology and plan for technology, budgeting, and evaluate the progress of reaching the goals for technology. All teachers should be technology literate and integrate technology across the state. In the past 3 years, our campus has shown the same totals for Education Preparation and Development on the STaR Chart. We are showing weaknesses in professional development experiences, models of professional development, capabilities of educators, access to professional development, and professional development for online learning. After looking at the comparisons between us and the state, I see that all are week in these areas also. I think that to improve in this area, we are going to have to make our school communities understand the importance of funding and providing resources for our teachers in order to be able to become computer literate. As a former teacher, I know that any professional development we received was given to us, and taken home, and forgotten about. There was hardly any follow-up training to help us continue with the skills we learned, and without hands-on learning, I was lost after I got home and tried to read my notes. The more experienced teachers, including myself, who didn't have prep classes in college, truly need more follow-up help with technology. Our districts need to try to set aside more funds for professional development follow-up, along with resources to help our teachers. My district is very supportive in giving its teachers any professional development we want or need, but something needs to change in regard to following through with the training we receive. We are a part of a great district who is trying to move forward, so I know in the future we will get there. In the meantime, I hope that our board realizes that more money is needed for us to be able to keep up with the 21st century demands.