Technology Standards and Competencies:
A Comparison of North Texas School Districts

Compiled by "THE PREMIUM STANDARD GROUP"


This project was created for ETEC 597: Restructuring Schools with Technology,
an online course offered through Texas A&M University - Commerce,
under the instruction of Dr. Sue Espinoza.



Project Contents


Richardson ISD

Compiled by Frances Dendy

Richardson ISD has a RISD's Strategic Technology Plan in place as a "working document," which is updated frequently. The information below was obtained from the draft updated February 27, 1998. The bulk of the document contains information regarding the vision of how and why technology is to be utilized in the schools and integrated into the curriculum. It also addresses budget information and logistics and schedules for the installation of both infrastructure and distribution of hardware. The first objective is to install computer labs in each school and a "presentation station" in each classroom.

The presentation station allows the images on the teacher computer
to be displayed on a larger monitor for the class.

The issue of specific skills RISD teachers are expected to master is not addressed in the main body of the technology plan. An appendix details the district's expectations of teacher competencies, as well as a plan for assessment. These technology proficiency assessments have been planned and published, but they do not appear to be actively utilized at this time. Technology Staff Development is addressed in the document as well.

Technology Standards

Richardson's technology standards are categorized into four levels:
  1. individual/personal communication,
  2. instruction and productivity,
  3. individualized productivity and management, and
  4. advanced skills.
The chart at the bottom of this section defines the specific skills comprising each level.

District Assessment

Richardson has four different assessment tools, one for each of the four levels listed above. The assessment is designed to be a "real world" utilization of technological skills. The chart below defines the specific activities found in each assessment.

Level
Focus
Proficiencies
Time Frame of
Attaining
Certification
Assessment
I
 Individual / Personal
Communication

DISCOVERER

[preparing, planning,
and discovering
what's available]
  • basics
  • operating systems
  • work processing
  • e-mail, cc:Mail
  • information retrieval
  • integration of technology
    into instruction
  • gradebook
 1 year maximum
to achieve
certification
  • re-create 1-page word
    processing document
  • reply to e-mail
  • provide example of
    integrating technology
    into instruction
  • sign acceptable use policy
  • understand and sign
    copyright form
II
 Instruction and
Productivity

EXPLORER

[increased sharing
and exploring with
students and
teachers]
  • extended word
    processing
  • Internet
  • multimedia
  • integration of
    technology into
    instruction
 2 years maximum
to achieve
certification
  • re-create letter and
    test document with
    pertinent content
  • access data on the
    Internet via web browser -
    copying/downloading
  • draw
  • create a table
  • send and receive e-mail
  • provide example of
    integrating technology
    into instruction
III
 Individualized
Productivity and
Management

INNOVATOR

[designs innovative
methods for using
technology in instruction]
  • advanced word
    processing
  • spreadsheet
  • database
  • Internet
  • integration of
    technology into
    instruction
 1 year maximum
to achieve
certification
  • recreate newsletter using
    2 columns, graphics, bullets
    text art
  • design/insert a table/
    spreadsheet/database
    with appropriate formulas
    functions and formatting
  • provide example of
    integrating technology
    into instruction
IV
 Advanced Skills

INVENTOR

[creates new, challenging
uses for integration
of technology into
instruction]		 Extended skills
in all the above areas		 Ongoing
  • continuous site-based
    assessment
  • demonstrate proficiency
  • development of an
    electronic portfolio