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California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
Sacramento, CA
1999 Catalyst Grant
Annual Education Degrees Awarded: N/A (all California teacher licensure candidates)
PT3 abstract -- Project website
Project Contact:
(916) 445-8778
California Develops Cadre of Model Integration Programs to Match Variety of Profiles
The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, as the state agency responsible for certifying the state's teachers, was ideally positioned in 1999 to bring schools together to meet new state technology teaching standards. That year, a PT3 Catalyst Grant enabled the Commission to create Staff, Teacher and Restructured Technology Education Consortium - known as Star-TEC - to build model programs to assist in meeting the new standards.
Star-TEC selected three colleges of education from around the state, each representing a certain population, culture, resource pool, or geographic region. Each college then developed a model program that could be adopted or modified by other schools that closely matched its profile. Three years later, the number of model colleges has increased from three to six, and the results are remarkable.
One Size Doesn't Fit All
"In a state as large and diverse as California, we knew that one approach, or even a dozen approaches, would not be appropriate," says Star-TEC project director Helen Hawley. "We've got 300 accredited colleges here, and about 100 of them have state-approved teacher education programs. Star-TEC is now well on its way to providing enough different integration models that there'll be one to adopt or adapt to any school in the state."
Star-TEC is a consortium administered by the Commission. It comprises a public-private mix of six teacher prep institutions, three school districts, four technology businesses, and two statewide professional technology associations. The goal: to prepare all of California's 100 teacher preparation programs to meet the State's new state standards in technology for the California Preliminary Teaching Credential or the Professional Clear Credential.
Model Schools Show the Way
As administrator, the Commission disburses funds for the six model schools to train teachers and faculty. These groups meet two or three times a year to plan and develop content for the website that the grant project can then publicize to the other 296 schools around the state that may be grappling with their own efforts to meet teaching standards.
In August 2000, just two of the original model schools could demonstrate that their teacher education courses required the use of technology. A year later, all the schools were using technology in 100 percent of their courses.
Meetings Spread the Word
To get the word out, Hawley and her team deliver presentations and material at regional reform meetings, education conferences, and any state meetings on the new technology standards. They want people to realize that 100 percent technology adoption is an achievable result.
"Inquiring schools" are encouraged to visit the Star-TEC website and select models that match their own size, culture, and resources. Narrative summaries and videos allow them to mix-and-match program elements and then contact the model school directly. The Commission acts as both consultant and "matchmaker." Meantime, model schools enjoy a reputation for leadership and initiative in their own regions.
Star-TEC Stays Involved
Star-TEC provides advice and technical assistance to help teacher ed programs develop strong plans to meet the new technology standards. To date, only eight institutions with teacher ed programs have not submitted to the Commission their plans to comply with the new standard.
Hawley and colleagues pledge that they'll work with them and provide whatever guidance and counsel they need. "We're confident they'll come back with winning proposals," says Hawley. "And when they do, we'll know we succeeded. We will have met the state goal and every teacher prep program in the state will include technology in its instruction."
And millions of California students will benefit from those results in the classroom.
Members of the Star-TEC Consortium
California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
University of San Francisco
California State University - Bakersfield
California State University - Chico
California State University - Fresno
Notre Dame De Namur University
Apple Computer
Xerox Computer
Teacher Universe
Educational Systems Planning
Association of California School Administrators
Special Interest Groups of the Association of Computer-Using Educators
May 2002
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