Good afternoon,

Earlier today, the ISTE Standards for Students became the official digital learning standards for Connecticut, by unanimous vote of our State Board of Education. This move follows the endorsement by the Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology of the Standards in September 2016 and represents nearly two years of advocacy and public input gathering to support official adoption of the Standards. We thank our partners at the State Department of Education, members of the Commission's Digital Learning Advisory Council, CECA, the ISTE Standards team, and many others who have actively supported adoption of the Standards.

Now the important work begins of supporting real adoption in the classroom, ensuring that students gain the competencies defined by ISTE. To that end, the Commission offers a number of resources starting today as part of an ongoing campaign to support digital learning:

·         ISTE Standards for Students: The interactive version provides both high-level and indicator-level definitions of the Standards. The attached PDF provides a print-friendly version.

·         ISTE Standards for Students — Practical Guide for Learning with Technology: This electronic book (free for ISTE members) provides detailed descriptions of the Standards, scenarios describing authentic learning activities, skills by age band, a crosswalk comparing the 2007 to the Standards, and a technology skills "scope and sequence" guide.

·         Educator and Administrator Standards(Coming Soon): Leverage these as best practices for teachers and district leaders, and as a foundation for supporting the Student Standards.

·         Connecticut Community of Practice: We encourage educators to get involved and start sharing their own digital learning materials, lesson plans, and experiences today via social media using the hashtag #ISTEinCT.

·         National Communities of Practice and Resources: Educators and leaders should consider joining ISTE and state affiliate CECA to take advantage of the many professional learning opportunities and networks that these organizations provide. From blogs, books, and journals to professional learning networks by topic, ISTE has a wealth of practical and inspiring resources to support digital learning.

Starting later this summer, the Commission and its partners will provide additional resources and learning opportunities, including the following:

·         Monthly Spotlight on a Standard: Starting in September with the Empowered Learner Standard, we will highlight a standard of the month with accompanying resources and best practices.

·         Policy: In partnership with CABE, we will be releasing guidance on how to support digital learning at the Board policy level.

·         Teacher Certification: Starting this summer, teachers may pursue professional certification in the ISTE Standards for Educators. The Commission is working with ISTE and Connecticut's institutions of higher education to support the training and assessment that accompany this program.

Last but certainly not least, we encourage you to join the standards conversation in person at the CECA - CASL 2018 Conference, October 21 - 22 at Foxwoods. For details and registration, visit www.CECACT.org.

Regards,

Doug

Douglas Casey

Executive Director

Commission for Educational Technology

State of Connecticut

55 Farmington Avenue

Hartford, CT 06105

(860) 622-2224

Doug.Casey@ct.gov

www.ct.gov/ctedtech

@CTEdTech