According to our STaR Chart data from the past few years, our campus is basically stagnant. However, I'm not totally convinced of that at all. The STaR Chart data is filled out each year by ALL staff, even the PE Coaches have to fill it out. Now, for those of you wondering what the STaR Chart is, it's a survey for all teachers in Texas about technology use at thier campuses. We are supposed to be using technology daily as teachers, students, and leaders. Of course this would be absurd in PE or Art to think that you would use computers daily in those classes; yet, their survey answers matter too. My campus staff scored "Developing" in the area of Teaching and Learning. I simply do not see that as the case. Our campus is one where computers, laptops, InFocus machines and the like are used in each class daily. I cannot see how our scores are mearly "Developing." I would say that we are pretty much on "Target" for that area from my point of veiw.
Now, judging from looking at the ratings for the entire state, I'd say if the report is true then we are average for a campus in Texas. In 2006 the state had approximately 74% of schools in the same "Developing" category as my school; in 2007 it reported about 70% were there as well. So, in that instance, our campus is average -however, I just don't see how. Maybe I live in a world of make-believe that says my campus is far better than the average - but I truly believe that!
As for the statistics, our campus scored between a "13" and "14" fluctuating between 2006 and 2008. Even if the survey is true in the slightest, our campus is reporting a stagnant score and not progressing. In my district progress is the name of the game. We must be moving forward by all accounts in order to do good and right by all.
So, if one is looking at our campus and the states' scores overall, we are sadly NOT moving forward in this area of teaching technology on a daily basis. We must look at ways to improve what we are doing. We must find ways to incorporate technology into the classroom; not just use it for e-mail. We must have our students on laptops (even in small groups) to become more efficient at using the technology we have. We must have them creating online projects and products rather than everything being written by hand. We must have them completing homework online (for those who do not have access to computers - provide it after regular school hours). In today's society our students will be left behind unless we take the reigns and drive the importance of technology home to our students.
I really had not thought about the idea that PE and Art teachers and others like them affecting our numbers so significantly. You're right... for some classes, computers are just not applicable on a daily basis. It sounds like your school is on the right track, though. We've been very stagnant because we're moving into a new building, so there is very little outlay of money for new technology in the current building. As a teacher, this urks me because we still need to be educating our students effectively for the 21st century! I agree with your assessment that it seems like no one is really looking at the numbers. My school has been fairly stagnant in most areas, as well, but we saw a significant drop in two areas (as much as five points), and as a teacher, I had never seen those results until this week. I really think our campus leadership should be sharing the findings of the STaR Chart with teachers, so we have an understanding of how our campus stacks up against others in the district and across the state. Maybe if someone started looking at the numbers a little more closely, we would start to see some changes. Right now, I think it's just another hoop we have to jump through in order to be able to apply for grants and meet state requirements.
ReplyDeleteI think that perhaps the teachers in your school are being hard on themselves. As educators,we are constantly evaluating others and ourselves. Most of us tend to grade ourselves extremely high. Perhaps if the teachers at your school had a chance to view the data from the last four years and understand the key area, the teachers might have a more realistic approach when completing the STaR Chart next spring.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Tracie says about the possibility that your teachers are being hard on themselves. I know Cox Elementary has an excellent reputation! In response to the P.E. or other specials teachers, I agree that it would be difficult to incorporate laptops or computer stations, but I do think there are other modes of technology that could be used to create presentations about what they are learning in those classes.
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