Technology Assessment for Students

     According to the No Child Left Behind Act, Part D - Enhancing Education through Technology: 
Section 2402 b. (1) To improve student academic achievement through the use of technology."
Section 2402 b. (2)  (A) "To assist every student cross the digital divide by ensuring that every student is technologically literate by time the student finishes 8th grade regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, family income, geographic location, or disability."

     Many states are working diligiently to make sure that every student develops strong technological skills and continually use them in order to function adequately in our 21st century world.  Students will have difficulty functioning in this technological ever-changing world without stong technological skills.  These are the following standards and technology competencies that are being addressed:

• Basic Operations and Concepts:  Students should be proficient in the use of technology
• Social, Ethical and Human Issues:  Students need to develop positive attitudes toward technology
• Technical Productivity Tools:  Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity
• Technology Communication Tools:  Students practice using technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources
• Technology Research Tools:  Students use technology tools to process data and report results
• Technology Problem Solving and Decision Making Tools:  Students use technology resources solving problems and making informed decisions.

     To help our students become technology literate and successful in this world, we are going to have to teach and support  technologies, new and emerging, that can engage students in real-life applications  and encourage student to be more independent and responsible for their own learning.  Many states have developd components to be considered when selecting an assessment instrument that can test for competency standard.  For example, NETS Online Technology Assessment is be utilized to test for competency.