VA’s ITRTs
Click for an audio recording of this blog. Virginia’s ITRTs
Beginning with school year 2005/2006, the state of Virginia mandated and funded the positions of instructional technology resource teachers for every school division. The schools were to employ one itrt for every 1000 students. This was in an effort to increase student achievement through the use of best practice 21st century skills.
This poistion has been challenged three times by the Virginia legislature. Fortunately, the state ITRTs banded together and orgainzed others to help them lobby for the continuation of these positions. It is quite possible that these positions will have to continually be fought for over and over again. Paving of new roads is, of course, much more important than the education of Virginia’s youth to some.
Today the state of Virginia has over 1300 instructional technology resource teachers; some even put the number close to 1400. One hunderd percent of Virginia’s school districts employ itrts with 83% reporting that they meet the 1:1000 ratio. The fall of 2006 saw an 85% return rate of itrts to their new role. How awesome!
Research has been started on how these positions were working. The studies are showing that the itrts are overwhelmingly qualified for their positions. By working on appropriate tasks, training teachers, and working with building adiministration the itrts have helped the state of Virginia increase SOL scores by 32%.
To view the State of Virginia’s guidance document on the itrt position, visit: http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Technology/ITRThandbook.pdf
Virginia is being watched across the nation. It’s nice to know that at this time we are demonstrating to the rest of the country that we value our children and want to prepare them for the future.
