Texas+Long+Range+Technologies

The following was originally published January 25, 2010 at http://dubwellborn.blogspot.com/2010/01/bonham-elementary-abilene-isd-k-5.html The latest STaR Chart measurements indicate Bonham Elementary, an Abilene ISD K-5 campus, could likely move from a teacher-directed learning environment to one that’s more student-centered, more fully engaged with its technologies in individual learning opportunities. Its student population is diverse and needs to develop more self-learning opportunities in order to meet what statewide goals require in the Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology (LRPT), 2006-2020.

Currently, Bonham has 527 students almost even in gender, yet diverse with approximately 13.5% African American children, 34.1% Hispanic, 49.7% White, and 1.8% other. Thirty-one percent are classified At-Risk, 2% are ESL, 54% receive Free Meals, 13% receive Reduced Meals, 4% are in Gifted and Talented Program, 16% receive special education services, and 10% receive Speech-only services. A diverse learner situation exists in Bonham. The latest year's STaR Chart indicates its facilities are well inter-connected with an advanced infrastructure of Internet, LAN/WAN, and distance learning technologies. Necessary resources to develop a diverse learning environment with access to just about any other classroom in the world exists. On campus there are two self-contained special education classrooms, three resource rooms, and classrooms for speech, ESL, Reading Success, computer lab, music, library, and all-purpose building with outside play areas for physical education. (2006-2009 STaR Charts for Bonham Elementary, Texas Campus STaR Chart Summary, [])

Bonham’s three-year data from 2006-2009 STaR Charts indicate it must improve a key area, Teaching & LEARNING, that's describes a well engaged is a student who can initiate more learning on their own and a campus that is able provide diverse student learning opportunities for all students. Bonham ranks in second of four levels, classifying as a Developing Tech campus. Teachers use technology proficiently to direct instruction, to access information, and often use digital curriculum resources weekly. However, the students are unable to use technology well, only 25% of the students could master TEKS requirements, down from previous years. Statewide Bonham compares to 65.7% of other Developing Tech elementary schools, demonstrating a traditional teacher-directed teaching style rather than student-centered learning is widespread, not just local. (2006-2009 STaR Charts for Bonham Elementary, Texas Campus STaR Chart Summary, teaching & learning chart, [].)

Necessary to rank higher in its Teaching & LEARNING, Bonham might study harder how to use a ready-to-go infrastructure more effectively and how affect more leadership support to improve teacher and student technical knowledge and skills, create more student-centered learning situations, and provide more diverse learning opportunities that go across subject areas and beyond the classroom boundaries.