Effecting Change State-Wide

Among the over 400 consortia who have received PT3 grant funding are several grants that focus on effecting technology change not just within a single institution, but within institutions throughout an entire state.

Each of these state-wide grants is different in scope and approach. Those featured here are just a representative sampling of the kinds of conceptual models and implementation tactics that state-wide grants are using. They include the following:

• The Maryland State Department of Education is creating performance tasks for each of seven new technology standards. The effort is part of Maryland's shift from a system that bases certification on coursework and credit hours to a system based on demonstration of knowledge and skills. The state is working with a consortium of two- and four-year colleges and pre-k-12 teachers to level the technology playing field among its teacher preparation programs.
• The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing is also focused on bringing the state's teacher preparation programs in line with new technology standards. But given the sheer number of teacher preparation institutions it needs to reach (approximately 100), California is using a different approach: it is building model programs throughout the state that other institutions can look to for strategies and ideas.
• The Virginia Educational Technology Alliance (VETA, William & Mary) has the state department of education as one of its key partners, but the unique alliance is actually driven by educational technology leaders at several Virginia colleges. The group formed to coordinate resources and share ideas about technology integration. Standards-based methods course renewal is just one of VETA's PT3 project goals.
• The Mississippi Department of Education is also working to level the playing field among the state teacher preparation programs, with a special emphasis on giving the state's Historically Black Colleges and Universities the tools, mentoring and training they need to produce teachers who are confident using educational technology. A "Triad" of teacher educators, pre-service teachers, and exemplary pre-k-12 teachers are working together on the effort.

• Alabama State Department of Education
• The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
• The University System of Georgia
• The Louisiana Systemic Initiatives Program
• The Maryland State Department of Education
• The Mississippi Department of Education
• Nebraska Department of Education
• New Hampshire Department of Education
• New York State Education Department
• Ohio Board of Regents
• Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
• The University of Wisconsin System
• The Virginia Educational Technology Alliance (VETA, William & Mary)

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