NCREL Policy Issues
Issue 15, January 2004
Policy Analysis
5. Standards and Certifications for Educators
In the North Central region, the integration of technology into state content standards is only moderately correlated with whether a state mandates that educators have skills in technology. That these policies are not strongly correlated may reflect that different parts of the state government are acting independently from each other, rather than working together to implement a coherent, interwoven set of content standards and educator certifications.
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin have strong technology policies in standards and certifications for educators. Illinois has extensive technology certifications such as Library Information Specialist, Technology Education, and Technology Specialist. It also has developed Technology Standards for All Illinois Teachers. However, technology generally is not integrated into content standards, such as the core language arts standards for teachers. In Indiana, technology generally is integrated into Indiana's content standards for teachers, and the state has a "computer educator" license for teachers. Michigan's Entry-Level Standards for Michigan Teachers includes the standard "an ability to use information age learning and technology operations and content to enhance learning and personal/professional productivity" (Michigan Department of Education, 2002, p. 4). The state has specialized teacher certifications in Educational Technology and in Library Media. In Wisconsin, two of the 10 teacher standards specifically address technology.
Resources
Illinois Content Area Standards for Educators
www.isbe.net/profprep/pcstandardrules.htm
Illinois Teacher Standards for Technology
www.isbe.net/profprep/CASCDvr/pdfs/24120_coretechnology.pdf
Indiana Teacher Standards
www.in.gov/psb/standards/teacherindex.html
Michigan Teacher Standards
www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-5234_5683_6368---,00.html
Wisconsin Teacher Standards
www.dpi.state.wi.us/sig/practices/prof_4.html
