Technology Tier I Professional Development

To meet the targets in our recently adopted District Technology Plan and to address the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified Teacher standards, we are required to report progress in technology integration skills for certified staff each year.

Beginning last winter, all teachers took the PILOT survey to self-assess their technology skills. As a result of the survey responses, each teacher received information about their technology skill level--also known as their "tier level.” For last year and this year, we report PILOT survey data as our measure for progress to OSPI. The PILOT survey can be found at the following link: http://www.edtech.wednet.edu/pilot/. In future years, we will need to detail professional development and actual Tier level competencies data for certified teachers

Our district goal is for teachers to move from Tier 1 to Tier 3 as teacher skill levels improve and as teachers learn how to use a variety of technologies in daily instruction and student learning. For information on the Tier Indicators, please see the following link: http://www.k12.wa.us/EdTech/TechIntTiers.aspx

In order to move from one tier to the next, teachers need to demonstrate competencies connected with that level. Typically, those competencies are developed and demonstrated through participating in technology professional development courses. However, we believe that many teachers may already have a higher skill level than was identified through the PILOT survey.

An online technology skills assessment is available for teachers who are interested in challenging the Tier 1 level technology professional development courses and moving to Tier 2 integration level. The assessment is entirely voluntary. It is intended to honor teachers that have a technology skill set at or above a Tier 2 level competency. Tier 2 teachers will receive technology equipment to use in their classroom.

Teachers that are not interested in challenging Tier 1 competencies will have opportunities to enroll in the courses for Tier 1 skills. The series of Tier 1 courses will provide the professional development necessary for advancement to Tier 2 level skills. For more information on Tier 1 courses, please visit: http://www.bham.wednet.edu/technology/techcourses.htm

Online Assessment Information:
The purpose of the Online Technology Assessment is to provide an opportunity for teachers to challenge the Tier 1 competencies. The assessment is available from 6 am to 8 pm, Monday through Friday from any internet-connected computer at home or in the district. The assessment fee is $7 and provides a license for two assessments, a pre-test and a post-test. The cost can be billed to ISD funds or paid with personal funds. The district has already reduced the cost of this assessment by 50%; the balance made up by the $7 fee. The pre-test is available now until March 1, 2008. The post-test will be available in January and open until June 30, 2008.

Next Steps:
Teachers that successfully complete the assessment and have also participated in the required course, Safety and Ethics in a Digital World, will be eligible to receive a hardware incentive (LCD projector, document camera, etc). The incentives are provided through technology levy funding and are limited. The equipment is provided on first come, first served basis, with additional funding available in the fall and spring of each funded year. For teachers that qualify for the incentive after the half-year funding is exhausted, equipment will be ordered when the next funding is available.

Teachers that have area(s) identified for improvement will be able to select from a variety of professional development options that include a 24/7 online learning resource, district-provided courses, or self-directed learning. When ready, teachers can then take the post-test to complete the challenge process.

Also visit the Tiers I Frequently Asked Questions page.