SBAC Technology Readiness Tool Spring 2012 Summary
The Technology Readiness Tool (TRT) collects school-level information technology information to help the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium and member states evaluate the technology at schools as it relates to the Smarter Balanced online student assessment system.
The first data collection window (Spring 2012) was open from April 16, 2012 until June 30, 2012. The data collected in the window will be used as a baseline inventory to help the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium determine the minimum system requirements for existing devices for using the Smarter Balanced system. The data are self-reported, unverified, and unaudited.
In California, 4,377 schools (42%) representing 456 districts submitted complete TRT information. An additional 1,237 schools submitted partial information. The district submission status report (XLS) shows the school completion percentage for each district in California.
The following information summarizes some of the data elements collected by the TRT for California schools. The Devices File Import Layout and School Survey File Import Layout Web pages provide descriptions for each of the data elements collected by the TRT.
Device Operating System
Total schools reporting device operating system information: 5,153 (representing 507 districts)
Total devices with operating system information: 613,996
CONTINUED @ SBAC Technology Readiness Tool Spring 2012 Summary - Assessment Information (CA Dept of Education)
State Schools Chief Issues Statement on SB 1070 Signing
SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today issued the following statement upon Governor Jerry Brown's signing of Senate Bill 1070, which reauthorizes and revises the Career Technical Education Pathways Initiative.
"I've made career technical education a top priority for one simple reason: it works. Students in these programs graduate at higher rates, and they do so prepared for lasting success in college and careers. I'm delighted the Pro Tem, his fellow legislators, and Governor Brown acted to extend and strengthen a program that already has a proven history of investing in successful education, training, and workforce development pathways—from middle school all the way to community college—in regions across California."
Since its inception in 2005, the Career Technical Education Pathways Initiative has served nearly 750,000 California students in middle school, high school, and college. These and other investments have developed or revised courses and provided trainings and/or externships. They have also supported, among other programs, California Partnership Academies, Career Advancement Academies, and the Teacher Preparation Pipeline. The initiative was set to sunset at the end of 2012.
Torlakson sponsored the bill. Supporters of its extension and strengthening have included the California Chamber of Commerce, the California State PTA, the University of California, and the R.E.A.L. Coalition, which includes the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, the Bay Area Council, the Southern California Leadership Council, and several chambers of commerce, among others.
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Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100