David Blount, Editor

Student Technology Skill Standards

With the Board of Education’s (BOE) adoption of computer/technology standards in 1995, improving student learning through the integration of technology across the curriculum has been a prominent state goal. It is hoped that mastery of these skills will produce computer literate students who are competent in applying technology to support their learning.

As noted in the Student Technology Skill Standards issue briefing, the Governor’s Commission on Excellence in Education set the stage for discussion and debate of student technology proficiency by declaring educational technology to be the “cutting edge” for public education in Virginia. Much of the legislation in this area to date has focused on providing schools, and especially teachers, with tools to ensure student mastery of computer technology. A significant step designed to help meet technology proficiency goals was taken in 1997 with the passage of HB 1848, which established various educational technology training, technical assistance and professional development programs and guidelines. HJ 586 also was approved that expressed the sense of the General Assembly that high school graduates be computer literate. In 1998, HB 1200 required emphasis on technology proficiency in K–12 instruction.

In 1999, HB 2263 required that on and after July 1, 2003, persons seeking initial licensure or license renewal as teachers demonstrate proficiency in the use of educational technology for instruction. HB 2671 clarified that the institutes required to be established by the State Council of Higher Education at colleges and universities shall provide in-service training in the effective use of educational technology for teachers, administrators and librarians.

In 2000, HB 203 made several revisions to the Standards of Quality (SOQ), including incorporating proficiency in the use of computers and related technology into the Standards of Learning (SOL) and the K–12 instructional program. It also required the Standards of Accreditation (SOA) to include standards for the integration of educational technology into instructional programs and further revised a requirement for professional development in educational technology to stipulate that such training be designed to facilitate integration of computer skills and related technology into the curricula. Finally, it clarified that the state’s six-year technology plan and local technology plans integrate technology into curricula. In 2001, the General Assembly considered HB 1841 which would have required establishment of Internet instruction in the English, history, mathematics, and science Standards of Learning.

The focus on technology standards, both in the Standards of Learning and through revisions to the Standards of Quality incorporating proficiency in the use of computers into the instructional program, could spurn additional legislation designed to assist the state and local school divisions in meeting the goals of the standards and/or to address any potential difficulties faced in meeting in the goals. A special subcommittee of the House Education Committee is expected to examine the issues raised by HB 1841 from the 2001 session.

1997 – HB 1848, HJ 586

1998 – HB 1200

1999 – HB 2263, HB 2321 (Family Involvement in Technology Program), HB 2671

2000 – HB 203, HJ 223 (Commission on Educational Infrastructure and Technology)

2001 – HB 1841

Alabama has created an Office on Information Technology, one of the functions of which is to establish criteria and administer technology programs, with priority given to public schools and to colleges of education for the training of public school teachers.

Budget discussions about technology during this past session of Congress largely were directed at teacher training. On the table was discussion of the Preparing Tomorrows Teachers to Use Technology Program, which would have committed more than $3 million to Virginia to strengthen future teachers’ abilities to use technology in the classroom. Also Congress considered, but did not approve the Education Technology Enhances Classrooms (EdTEC) Act, which would have established a program designed to improve student achievement through the integration of technology into curriculum. Also, the Computers in our Community Act was aimed at increasing student computer skills.

Virginia Deparment of Education

Southern Regional Education Board

THOMAS

Department of Education

Click here for a policy issue briefing on the “Student Technology Skill Standards.”

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