Supportive external context
Policies and initiatives at the national, regional and local levels to support schools and teacher preparation programs in the effective implementation of technology for achieving curriculum and learning technology standards
What is it?
A supportive external environment provides fertile ground where a technology initiative can take root. Initiatives and policies that are favorable toward technology implementation — at the local, regional or national level — allow schools and teachers to develop the skills they need to apply technology in ways that address curriculum and learning standards.
Why is it important?
Education reform at any level, from local to national, has a tremendous impact on what gets implemented within a school or district. For example, the Common Core State Standards have activated a new approach to learning in many states. Similarly, a school or district’s access to adequate funding for a technology initiative can depend heavily on whether the state’s budget reflects education as a priority.
External influences can either support or challenge a technology integration plan, and education leaders need to be aware of how they can leverage these influences to their advantage.
What does it look like?
Although the external environment lies outside of a school or district’s direct control, education leaders can influence change with enough time, energy and effort. The ISTE Standards for Administrators prioritize proactive advocacy through:
- Building awareness of relevant policies and their impact on local schools
- Positioning the school or system to take advantage of future policies or programs in ways that move the technology vision forward