Education Week gives NC high marks for educational technology

Technology Counts 2009 will be released tomorrow, but since I am a “valued edweek.org user,”?Education Week allowed me to preview the report.

North Carolina’s grades are as follows:

Overall Grade: B- (Rank: 10)
Access to Technology: C+ (Rank: 19)
Use of Technology: A (Rank: 1)
Capacity to Use Technology: D (Rank: 38)

North Carolina earned an A in the Use of Technology category because the state has technology standards and testing for students, has established a virtual school, and offers computer-based assessments.

North Carolina received low marks in the Capacity to Use Technology category because state standards for administrators do not include a technology component, requirements for an initial license do not include technology, and the state does not require technology training, testing, or professional development for teacher or administrator recertification.

Interestingly, the Southeast dominates the top of the overall ranking. Southeastern states in the top 10 included Virginia, Kentucky, Florida, Louisiana, and North Carolina. Although D.C. spends a massive amount of money on education, the District of Columbia still ranked dead last. Similarly, Education Week ranked New York 42nd and California 45th.