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ACTION REQUIRED

To: Campus Principals

    Campuses with Grade 8

Re: Required End of Year 8th Grade Technology Applications Assessment

Date: May 16, 2008

The Texas Education Agency presented the new reporting requirement of November, 2008 for the first time in Austin on Friday, May 9, 2008. Three expectations outlined by No Child Left Behind (NCLB) will be reported on in November, 2008. These three expectations include 1) Assessment of technology literacy for eighth graders; 2) Assessment of technology literacy for teachers, librarians and administrators; and 3) Assessment of the number of computers available to students for instruction by Internet access type.

Prior to the end of the 2007–2008 school year, you are expected to conduct an online technology literacy assessment of all eighth graders at your campus. Instructions will be provided in this memo for you to follow.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Two years ago, No Child Left Behind (NCLB) indicated that by December 31, 2006, technology would be fully integrated into the curricula and instruction of schools. This meant that every student would be technology literate by the time the student finished the 8th grade.

Upon completion of Grade 8, students are expected to:

1. Apply strategies for identifying and solving routine hardware and software problems
2. Demonstrate knowledge of current changes in information technologies and their effects on society and the workplace.
3. Demonstrate and exhibit legal and ethical behaviors when using information and technology
4. Use content-specific tools, software and simulations to support learning and research
5. Demonstrate an understanding of Acceptable Use
6. Have the ability to work in cooperative groups to complete projects utilizing technology and media resources to enhance the learning experience
7. Design, develop, publish, and present products using technology resources that demonstrate and communicate curriculum concepts
8. Research and evaluate the accuracy, relevance, appropriateness, comprehensiveness, and bias of electronic information sources
9. Select and use appropriate tools and technology resources to accomplish a variety of tasks and solve problems.

The expectation also included all teachers would be technology literate so that technology can be fully integrated. This means that teachers, librarians, and administrators are expected to achieve acceptable performance on standards-based performance profiles of technology user skills as defined by the State.

For staff, integration is defined as meeting the State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) Technology Standards for All Educators. These SBEC Technology Standards are directly linked to the Technology Applications student standards. These educator standards can be found online at http://starchart.esc12.net/standards.html

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is now charged with collecting data regarding district achievement of these expectations. The District is required to compile and submit this data by no later than November, 2008. To provide 8th grade student information, this assessment will be completed this 2007–2008 school year.

ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Every eighth grader must use a computer to complete this online assessment. As such, you will need to make all computers available on your campus so that students can complete the online assessment. The process is as follows:

1. Complete the contact information form for the TA:TEKS Assessment Team online at http://somewhere
2. Assess your campus’ computer lab to make sure it meets minimum specifications (e.g. Internet Explorer 6)
3. Set aside time for all your 8th graders to cycle through the computer lab in 45 minute periods to complete the assessment.
4. Issue username and password to each eighth grader completing the assessment.
5. Report to Instructional Technology Services to notify of campus completion.

Thank you for your time in reviewing this memo. Once you have submitted your TA:TEKS Assessment Team contact information, you will receive further instructions on how to proceed. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact ….