Standard 5.

3 Program Evaluation
Candidates design and implement program evaluations to determine the overall effectiveness of professional
learning on deepening teacher content knowledge, improving teacher pedagogical skills and/or increasing student
learning. (PSC 5.3/ISTE 4c)
The GAPSS Review that I completed for ITEC 7460 shows mastery of standard 5.3 program evaluation. The
analysis was difficult to complete because it was a requirement that was given after our school principal had been
removed. Our interim principal was the former principal for our school, but she had been retired for seven years, so
she was not familiar with some of the technology plans developed in alignment with our school improvement plan.
My mentor helped fill in the areas that she could not address. He is the head of our technology committee and was
responsible for drafting many of our technology initiatives.
One thing I learned from this analysis was there existed a gap between the technology in the classroom and the
proficiency level of the teachers. The classroom was equipped with Promethean Boards, document cameras, and
ActiVote devices, however, teachers had limited knowledge of how they could best be utilized for engaged learning
opportunities.
All of the staff at Mt. Carmel elementary are considered highly qualified as per Federal standard. Our school
improvement plan calls for continual learning to enhance content knowledge. The use of the online webinar resource
PD360 is available to all staff and is encouraged by administration to be utilized as a lifelong learner tool. The need
for further professional development opportunities for our staff still exists due to the relative newness of the
technology roll-out. Teachers at Mt. Carmel have become much more comfortable incorporating technology into
lessons, but in order to achieve proficiency to maximize facilitation of continued use, more professional
development is needed at the school level.
Future impact of this GAPSS Review revolves around continuing to monitor technology implementation and the
continued use of a mentoring system as needed for new teachers and existing teachers who feel the need for
additional training and support.