4. Program Examples in Other States

Programs in Other States

Massachusetts has tech plan benchmarks modeled after the STAR chart at PreK-4, 5-8, and 9-12 ranges. Each year when submitting NCLB applications, districts report the percentage of students that meet these benchmarks, and the expectation is that the percentage of students meeting the benchmarks will increase each year until 100% by the 2006-07 academic year. Districts can assess this competence in the way they choose (i.e., test, observation, portfolio, other).

Connecticut has standards for Learning Resource and Information Technology and a set of Trace Maps to assist in curriculum implementation. They also have a sample policy document indicating how a district can implement technology competencies and performance indicators.

North Carolina has an instructional goal within their state technology plan regarding high student achievement. The first of five objectives for this goal is for all students to pass an 8th grade computer skills test. To address this objective, they assist in a variety of ways to develop assessment resources, such as providing guidelines for electronic portfolios, sample test items, and an online 8th grade practice test.