Technology Tier I: Frequently Asked Questions
This section is regularly updated to provide the latest questions and answers. Please refer to this resource before asking your school librarian, principal, or the Curriculum Department if you have questions about the online tech assessment and online professional development.
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
How can I challenge Tier One courses?
An online tech assessment is available to challenge Tier One, or individual courses in Tier One. Check with your building librarian for more information.
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: 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 the Curriculum Department 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 One 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 Tier One classes?
An online learning resource is available to teachers wishing to improve their technology skills. Please contact the Curriculum Department for a license. This resource is available for the 2009-10 school year.
What are the choices for the Tier One equipment incentive?
As more and more classrooms are outfitted with the base technology tools, Tier One incentives will go away. With the adoption of the 2010-2013 Technology Plan, all district classrooms are targeted to receive base technology tools - LCD projector, document camera, laptop, and computer speakers - by the end of the 2010-2011 school year. In the meantime, 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 are less than 3 years old, other equipment can be considered.
How do I order my Tier One equipment incentive?
Successful Tier One challengers will receive an email from the Curriculum Department providing resources and asking them to send their equipment requests.
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.
What is the process for Tier Two courses?
Tier Two requires a proposal be submitted to the Curriculum/Instructional Technology Department. Please click here for the proposal document.
Is there a challenge assessment for Tier 2?
Tier Two is a proposal process based on an instructional unit or instructional strategy developed collaboratively and completed within a Professional Learning Community. See the description about Tier 2 here. This process is not designed to be challenged.
