Technology and Standards

Many blog and listserv discussions during the last several weeks have been about technology standards, technology proficiency, technology measurement/assessment, etc.

During the 90s, there was a great deal of focus on equity in Kentucky and the importance of providing technology tools in all of the classrooms of Kentucky. There were many of us who were so excited that Kentucky was putting technology tools in the classrooms. We were passionate about the power of technology in the hands of knowledgeable teachers to help all students learn in ways that provide the relevance and meaning that challenges them to high levels of understanding.

Since then there have been leaders in the Kentucky Department of Education and other organizations such as KySTE who have worked hard to develop and adopt benchmark standards to guide the progress of Kentucky students toward proficiency as required by the Kentucky Program of Studies and the federal No Child Left Behind Act. In fact, Kentucky technology leaders began reporting the numbers of proficient teachers and students in their districts during this school year.

It is obvious in every district that I visit what an important role technology is playing in today's learning environment and the tremendous key that it will be to the future of Kentucky. In the next few months and years, we must continue to call attention to the value of technology and the ways we use it in education. The Kentucky Department of Education has a page of important links to follow related to the implementation of Senate Bill 1. To achieve the revision of standards mandated in the bill, Kentucky joined the Common Core Standards State Initiative. This month Kentucky was the first to adopt core standards from this initiative in Mathematics and English/Language Arts. I have created a page where I will attempt to compile resources related to the Common Core Standards State Initiative and technology in Kentucky.

I was happy to see the emphasis that was placed on the new National Education Technology Plan that was introduced today and am quite hopeful that we can us the contents of this document as we strive to work together to ensure that we continue to draw attention to the need for technology and its importance to students in Kentucky and all of the states involved in the Common Core Standards State Initiative. Please share your ideas and suggestions.