Everyone agrees that students need to be learning more math and science. In recent years, national, state, and local groups have attempted to define what students should know and be able to do at various grade levels in math and science. In Pennsylvania, there are the 53 Student Learning Objectives for high school graduation. Locally, the Allegheny Intermediate Unit has developed and translated them into a series of Transitional Outcomes for grade levels leading up to the graduation objectives. Each of these standards calls for the integrated use of technology for effective instruction.
Technology plays an integral role in hands-on math and science.
Students need to know how to use the technology and equipment they will encounter in virtually any job. Many classrooms and schools exceed this foundation, but some schools may have yet to achieve it. Our goal as a region is to make sure that all schools offer students this foundation to build upon. The Parameters are intentionally broad and do not prescribe specific models or brands of technology. Teachers, administrators, and their communities will need to select specific models based on the curriculum and instructional strategies they use.