The
Educational Technology Support Centers (ETSCs) reside at the nine regional
Educational Service Districts in the state of Washington, and are state-funded
in support of Education Reform, Chapter 28A.650 RCW to improve technology
infrastructure, monitor and report on school district technology development,
promote standards for school district technology, promote statewide
coordination and planning for technology development, and support state
activities.
Vision:
Schools that are lively and productive, where
all students and teachers are fully engaged in the learning process
through the effective integration of teaching, curriculum and technology.
Mission:
To optimize student learning by providing statewide leadership, models,
professional development, technical assistance and ongoing support for
the effective, appropriate and visionary use of technology.
Goals:
To increase the capacity of schools and school
districts to improve school and student success through the effective
use of technology, the Educational Technology Support Centers will provide
leadership through the following services:
A. Support Efforts to Increase Student Achievement
- Share research and best practices for technology integration and literacy.
- Promote the integration of technology into school improvement efforts.
- Increase the purposeful use of effective online resources in student learning.
B. Provide High-Quality Professional Development Models
- Apply best practices in professional development (i.e., Peer Coaching) Expand statewide professional development opportunities through collaboration and partnerships.
- Provide professional development on using technology to strengthen research-based instructional practices in the classroom.
- Increase the purposeful use of effective online resources in professional development.
C. Enhance Shared Technology Vision in Washington K-12 Schools
- Provide for regional meetings for district technology directors.
- Support statewide efforts in technology planning. Help districts maintain eligibility for e-Rate and Title IID competitive and formula funds by developing their knowledge and skills to plan for technology implementations that are aligned with school improvement goals.
- Provide outreach to assist schools in maximizing their e-rate funding.
- Develop knowledge and skills in district staff to assess and increase technology literacy and integration as required in NCLB.
- Showcase and encourage the use of emerging technology tools for teaching, learning, planning, data-driven decision-making, and other school improvement efforts.
- Promote the Tiered Classroom Model as a tool to plan for, equip, and evaluate the growth and use of effective technology integration, and as a means to help identify professional development needs in schools.
