Technology Tiers
Expectations | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3
Bellingham School District's Technology Plan advocates a commitment to assist teachers in their ability to effectively integrate technology and promotes the progression of technology integration to build capacity in the district and increase student performance. Districts committed to the creative democracy of a 21st century learning environment understand technology integration as a dimension of effective teaching. They use real-world technologies themselves to work, engage colleagues and collaborate on projects. They support staff development programs that couple effective instructional practice to technology integration. And in each school, they promote the conditions essential to successful to 21st century teaching and learning.
Learn more about these essential conditions, visit OSPI's Technology Literacy, Integration & Proficiency page.
To meet these targets 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 and administrators each year.The OSPI Technology Integration Standards identify three tiers of integration with indicators progressing from productivity skills to embedded use of technology in powerful teaching and learning. For information on the Tier Indicators, please see the following OSPI link: http://www.k12.wa.us/EdTech/TechLiteracy/TechIntTiers.aspx
Our district goal is for teachers to move from the Technology Expectations through Tiers One, Two, and Three. Beginning in 2009-10, the program will include building and district administrators.
DESCRIPTION: The Technology Expectations are basic skills necessary to understand the effective use and management of technology equipment, resources, and tools. These skills are listed on the following forms:
For certificated staff and administrators
EXPECTATION: All staff members demonstrate proficiency on the Technology Expectations checklist. Staff self-evaluate skill levels, check off known skills, and work with the building librarian or other staff to learn the skills in the remaining areas.
OUTCOME: An increase in understanding of technology management skills and basic applications. The completion of the Technology Expectations provides the foundation and qualification for Tier One status.
Tier 1: Personal Productivity (Prerequisite: Proficiency in Technology Expectations)
DESCRIPTION: This tier focuses on the teacher using technology to increase productivity and thereby enhance teaching and learning.
EXPECTATION: Teachers and administrators must complete seven (7) strands of productivity skills including the Safety and Ethics in a Digital World course. These courses are completed as face-to-face instruction, in an online environment, or challenged after self-guided instruction. Courses are described at the following link: http://www.bellinghamschools.org/technology/techcourses.htm
OUTCOME: An increase in personal productivity, an understanding of the use of technology in the classroom, and qualification for Tier One hardware incentive and Tier Two status.
Tier One Process:
An online Tech Literacy Assessment is available for teachers who are interested in challenging the Tier One level courses and progressing to the Tier Two integration level. The assessment is entirely voluntary. It is intended to honor teachers and administrators that have a technology skill set at or above a Tier One level competency.
Teachers that are not interested in challenging Tier One competencies will have opportunities to enroll in classes for Tier One skills. Tier One courses will provide the professional development necessary for advancement to Tier Two level skills.
Online Tech Literacy Assessment Information and Registration
The online Tech Literacy Assessment is available from 7 am to 7 pm, Monday through Friday from any internet-connected computer. The assessment fee is $7 and provides a license for 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%, with the balance made up by the $7 fee. The assessment is available until July 31, 2011. The Tech Literacy Assessment is available at: www.learning.com
To register for the assessment, call or email Karen Lofton, x6526 or Karen.Lofton@bellinghamschools.org. Follow up by sending a check for $7 via district mail to Karen Lofton, Curriculum Department. Upon payment, she will contact you with instructions on how to access the site and log in. Results are returned via email within 48 hours of completion of the assessment. Teachers who have area(s) identified for improvement will be able to select from professional development options that include an online learning resource, district-provided courses, or self-directed learning. When ready, teachers can take the post-test to complete the challenge process.
Online Professional Development Information and Registration Process
Our online technology professional development resource is available 24/7 from any internet connected computer at the following link: http://bhamtechonline.howtomaster.com/ Courses are assigned based on the results of the Tech Literacy Assessment, or by teacher request. A user ID and password are required for access. If you have questions, please contact Karen Lofton in the Curriculum Department.
Technology Equipment Incentive
Teachers successfully completing the assessment and/or courses, including the required Safety and Ethics in a Digital World course, will be eligible to receive a hardware incentive (LCD projector, document camera, etc) until all the classrooms are equipped with a basic level of technology presentation equipment - targeted for the end of the 2010-2011 school year. The incentives are provided through technology levy funding. For details, visit the Technology Tiers Frequently Asked Questions page.
Tier 2: Building-Based Technology Integrated Instruction (Prerequisite: Tier 1 completion)
DESCRIPTION: This tier focuses on teacher facilitation of learning activities and increasing productive student use of technology.
READINESS: Tier II is a building-focused professional development model. as opposed to the individual focus in the Tier I model:
Individuals proposing Tier II work must be part of a collaborative team, where all the members of the team have satisfied Tier I criteria and are eligible for Tier II status before a proposal can be submitted. The incentive will be delivered at that grade level in that building.
EXPECTATION: Teachers must collaborate with at least one other teacher in the Professional Learning Community (PLC) model to integrate technology in a unit or instructional purpose design. Proposals must ensure that the curriculum and instructional strategy drive the technology identified for the project. It is not about the tools, but the learning. Both curriculum and technology GLEs must be included in the proposal, with a plan on how the GLEs will be implemented and assessed.
OUTCOME: A designed curriculum unit with technology integrated instruction and learning opportunities that can be shared across the district, and qualification for Tier II incentive and Tier III status.
Tier Two Proposal Process:
The Tier II proposal process is available online. The rubric for proposal assessment is also online. All Tier II proposals and technology incentives must be supported by the building strategic plan, the building technology plan, and the district technology plan, which can be found at the following link: http://bellinghamschools.org/projects/technology-plan-committee/technology-plan-committee.
Proposals must receive the approval of the building principal prior to funding or implementation. The building principal or the program director may approve Tier II proposals from specialists. Specialists must pursue technology incentives that integrate into district-wide programs.
Special attention will be given to proposals requesting digital resources not identified as standard, as these resources may become a district standard in the future. Nonstandard requests must also be reviewed and approved by the Manager of Computer Services from the standpoint of technical feasibility, impact on infrastructure, and other implementation issues.
Tier 3: Technology Integrated Learning (Prerequisite: Tier 2 completion)
This tier, currently embedded within the Tier II structure, focuses on how the teacher provides the learning environment for ubiquitous, technology-enhanced, student-centered 21st Century Learning and building capacity within the district through peer mentoring activities.
DESCRIPTION: This tier promotes active student engagement in using technology in individual and collaborative learning activities.
READINESS: Successful, sustained integration of Tier Two proposals and strategies, successful completion of a state or federal grant program like EETT and TL21.
EXPECTATION: Access to appropriate technology resources for students, peer mentoring and lesson design. Teachers understand and use constructivist and student-centered learning and teaching strategies.
OUTCOME: Student learning and the use of technology are seamless and ubiquitous. Learning is constructivist and student-centered.
