NETS-A

Educational Technology Standards and Performance Indicators for Administrators

The National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) for Administrators developed through the Technology Standards for School Administrators (TSSA) Collaborative identifies knowledge and skills constituting the "core" of what every P-12 administrator needs to know about and be able to do with technology regardless of specific job role. ISTE has embraced the TSSA standards as the national standards and extended the "core" skills and knowledge to include the specific provisions for administrators in three job roles:

An underlying assumption of these standards is that administrators should be competent users of information and technology tools common to information-age professionals. Explore this NETS-A site for more on the standards and profiles for technology-using administrators. (See http://cnets.iste.org/administrators)

1. LEADERSHIP AND VISION.
   Educational leaders inspire a shared vision for comprehensive integration of technology and foster an environment and culture conducive to the realization of that vision. Educational leaders:
   1. facilitate the shared development by all stakeholders of a vision for technology use and widely communicate that vision.
   2. maintain an inclusive and cohesive process to develop, implement, and monitor a dynamic, long-range, and systemic technology plan to achieve the vision.
   3. foster and nurture a culture of responsible risk-taking and advocate policies promoting continuous innovation with technology.
   4. use data in making leadership decisions.
   5. advocate for research-based effective practices in use of technology.
   6. advocate on the state and national levels for policies, programs, and funding opportunities that support implementation of the district technology plan.
      
      
2. LEARNING AND TEACHING.
   Educational leaders ensure that curricular design, instructional strategies, and learning environments integrate appropriate technologies to maximize learning and teaching. Educational leaders:
   1. identify, use, evaluate, and promote appropriate technologies to enhance and support instruction and standards-based curriculum leading to high levels of student achievement.
   2. facilitate and support collaborative technology-enriched learning environments conducive to innovation for improved learning.
   3. provide for learner-centered environments that use technology to meet the individual and diverse needs of learners.
   4. facilitate the use of technologies to support and enhance instructional methods that develop higher-level thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
   5. provide for and ensure that faculty and staff take advantage of quality professional learning opportunities for improved learning and teaching with technology.
      
      
3. PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE.
   Educational leaders apply technology to enhance their professional practice and to increase their own productivity and that of others. Educational leaders:
   1. model the routine, intentional, and effective use of technology.
   2. employ technology for communication and collaboration among colleagues, staff, parents, students, and the larger community.
   3. create and participate in learning communities that stimulate, nurture, and support faculty and staff in using technology for improved productivity.
   4. engage in sustained, job-related professional learning using technology resources.
   5. maintain awareness of emerging technologies and their potential uses in education.
   6. use technology to advance organizational improvement.
      
      
4. SUPPORT, MANAGEMENT, AND OPERATIONS.
   Educational leaders ensure the integration of technology to support productive systems for learning and administration. Educational leaders:
   1. develop, implement, and monitor policies and guidelines to ensure compatibility of technologies.
   2. implement and use integrated technology-based management and operations systems.
   3. allocate financial and human resources to ensure complete and sustained implementation of the technology plan.
   4. integrate strategic plans, technology plans, and other improvement plans and policies to align efforts and leverage resources.
   5. implement procedures to drive continuous improvement of technology systems and to support technology replacement cycles.
      
      
5. ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION.
   Educational leaders use technology to plan and implement comprehensive systems of effective assessment and evaluation. Educational leaders:
   1. use multiple methods to assess and evaluate appropriate uses of technology resources for learning, communication, and productivity.
   2. use technology to collect and analyze data, interpret results, and communicate findings to improve instructional practice and student learning.
   3. assess staff knowledge, skills, and performance in using technology and use results to facilitate quality professional development and to inform personnel decisions.
   4. use technology to assess, evaluate, and manage administrative and operational systems.
      
      
6. SOCIAL, LEGAL, AND ETHICAL ISSUES.
   Educational leaders understand the social, legal, and ethical issues related to technology and model responsible decision-making related to these issues. Educational leaders:
   1. ensure equity of access to technology resources that enable and empower all learners and educators.
   2. identify, communicate, model, and enforce social, legal, and ethical practices to promote responsible use of technology.
   3. promote and enforce privacy, security, and online safety related to the use of technology.
   4. promote and enforce environmentally safe and healthy practices in the use of technology.
   5. participate in the development of policies that clearly enforce copyright law and assign ownership of intellectual property developed with district resources.