Texas STaR Chart

According to the Texas STaR Chart, my high school rated highest in Infrastructure for Technology with an Advanced Tech rating while the other three components: Teaching and Learning, Educator Preparation and Development, and Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support received the lower rating of Developing Tech. The Infrastructure for Technology component includes students per computers, internet access and connectivity speed, other types of classroom technology, technical support, local area network and wide area network, and distance learning capacity.

The campus rating on the Texas Campus STaR Chart fluctuated from Advanced Tech to Developing Tech and back to Advanced Tech throughout the 2006-2009 school years that were reviewed. When the Advanced Tech rating was received the 2006-2007 and the 2008-2009 years, the Internet Access and Connectivity Speed and The Technical Support were the areas that received the highest scores. During the 2006-2007 year the Internet Access and Connectivity Speed scored a three and the Technical Support received the highest score of a four. In the 2008-2009 year, these components switched scores. The Infrastructure for Technology is a major concern for our administration. There is a strong focus on this portion of the STaR Chart at my high school because the infrastructure of a school is a critical element of support for all four areas of the Long Range Plan for Technology. The campus was rated Advanced Tech in Infrastructure for Technology, which is in alignment with the district and the state. Within the state in 2007-2008, 57.2% of schools were rated Advanced Tech in this area. The Texas Long Range for Technology Plan is aligned with the federal No Child Left Behind requirements. It is also essential for Texas to adopt standards to help districts work more effectively and efficiently while addressing the compliance with the Section 508 accessibility standards to ensure access for individuals with disabilities.

My campus has been able to do a good job of keeping the Infrastructure for Technology as current as possible as well as providing just-in-time technical assistance. However, the loss of funding from the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund has had a significant impact on school infrastructure. Maintaining a current connectivity and keeping network equipment functioning is a struggle for many districts. Even though the school districts face challenges when creating and maintaining a solid infrastructure this was the area in which the most school districts received an Advanced Tech rating according to the Campus STaR Chart Summary for 2008-2009. Over 4,370 school districts throughout the state received this rating. A 21st Century infrastructure is crucial in providing a quality education to our students.

My district has allocated a portion of the ARRA funds to purchase more computers as well as upgrade infrastructure and internet access and connectivity speed. Our freshman class was also the recipient of the Vision 2020 one-to-one laptop immersion grant. This grant will improve our students per computer ratio which is a component that needs improvement. Other components of the Infrastructure for Technology that need improvement include the Distance Learning Capacity and Other Classroom Technology. With some planning and collaboration among administrators, teachers and technology specialist these areas can be improved in a timely manner.