Technology Tier I FAQ

What are the Technology Integration Tiers?
The Technology Integration Tiers were developed by OSPI to address the No Child Left Behind technology integration standards for Highly Qualified Teachers. OSPI has developed indicators for each of the Tiers to assist in determining the integration level of teachers. The indicators are located at the following link: http://www.k12.wa.us/EdTech/TechIntTiers.aspx

What is the purpose of the PILOT survey? If I am identified as Tier 2 with the PILOT survey, why doesn’t that qualify me as a Tier 2 teacher?
The PILOT survey is just that, a survey. The PILOT survey provides perception data of teacher integration skills, but does not assess skills or competencies for the Tiers. An assessment or other measure of skills/competencies is necessary to accurately determine a teacher’s technology skill or integration level.

What does the $7 assessment fee cover?
The fee covers a license to access the online tech assessment pre and post-tests, which are available during the current school year.

How and when do I receive the results of the assessment?
Within 48 hours of completing the assessment, teachers will receive an email with an attached pdf report of the assessment results. The report will show the 7 strands of the assessment, and the score for each strand.

What is considered “passing” for the assessment?
A score of 5 or 6 in each area is considered passing. If professional development records show that a teacher has participated in a class since August of 2006 in the area where a score of 4 or less is reported, a pass will be recorded in our professional development records for that strand.

What do the results tell me?
The assessment report shows the level of competency in 7 strands of technology foundation skills. These areas include: Systems and Fundamentals, Social & Ethical, Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Multimedia & Presentations, Telecommunications & Internet, and Database. Areas scored with a 4 or less will need to be reassessed before a challenge is considered successful and complete.

Can I retake just the part of the assessment that I did not pass?
The post-test includes the entire 7 strands and is not designed to access individual strands within the assessment.

How do I schedule the post-assessment if I want to take it?
Once a teacher feels ready to retake the assessment, he/she needs to email Ann Reed to schedule access to the post-test. The original URL, user name, and password assigned for the pre-test will be used to access the post-test.

What happens if I score lower on the post-assessment in one area than I did in the pre-assessment?
Only the area(s) that were reported for improvement will be considered in the post-test scoring unless there is considerable change in the score (2 or more points).

How do I find out about classes?
Current district Tier 1 technology courses are posted online at the following link:
http://www.bham.wednet.edu/technology/techcourses.htm. Classes are delivered on-site by request from the building librarians. See your librarian to request the class(es) you are interested in attending.

Is there an online learning option for classes?
An online learning resource is available to teachers wishing to improve their technology skills. Please contact Ann Reed at areed@bham.wednet.edu for a license. This resource is available for the 2007-2008 school year.

What are the choices for the equipment incentive?
In order for teachers to continue developing technology integration skills, an LCD projector and document camera are necessary tools. Teachers will be offered an LCD projector as the first option. If a teacher already has an LCD projector that is less than 3 years old, then a document camera is offered. If a teacher has both an LCD projector and document camera that is less than 3 years old, other equipment can be considered that is listed on the District Supported Technology Purchase List at the following URL: http://www.bham.wednet.edu/departments/purchasing/techpurchases.htm

How do I order my equipment incentive?
Successful Tier 1 challengers will receive an email from the Instructional Technology Department asking them to send their equipment requests to Ann Reed at the email address: areed at bham dot wednet dot edu."

What happens to my equipment if I change schools?
Placement of incentive equipment is based on the understanding that the teacher that earned the incentive should have full access to the equipment. In shared classrooms, or in the case of a teacher assigned in two or more buildings, the principal, in conversation with the teacher, will determine the best location of the equipment. In the event a teacher moves or is assigned to another Bellingham District school, the decision for the relocation of the equipment will be made by the teacher and the principals of the impacted schools. Teachers moving to another school district will not be allowed to take the incentive equipment with them.

Is there a challenge assessment for Tier 2?
A challenge for Tier 2 has not been identified at this time.