INFORMATIONAL

  The State's Technology Conference has been scheduled to meet
  at the Hotel Roanoke, December 9-11, 1996.  The purpose of
  this conference is to provide information and training to
  school division technology coordinators and other technology
  decision makers.  Presentations and vendors will focus on
  the initiatives to be funded in 1996-98 including
  networking, infrastructure, retrofitting, computers,
  Virginia Public School Authority guidelines, contracting
  tips, student technology standards, and standards that are
  being developed for teachers.
  
  In September 1995, the Board of Education requested the
  Advisory Board on Teacher Education and Licensure (ABTEL) to
  examine the issue of technology proficiencies as a
  requirement for licensure of instructional personnel.  A

  task force was organized to develop a proposal for
  technology standards and training of instructional
  personnel.  The task force included representatives from the
  Advisory Board for Teacher Education and Licensure (ABTEL),
  the Virginia Educational Association (VEA), the Association
  of Teacher Educators in Virginia (ATE-VA), the Virginia
  Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (VACTE), the
  Virginia Educational Technology Advisory Committee (VETAC),
  and Department of Education staff members.
  
  ABTEL is scheduled to present the technology standards and
  enablers to the Board of Education at its May 1996 meeting. 
  Recommendations for implementation include public hearings,
  incorporation of the technology standards in local
  technology plans and in higher education program
  requirements and student assessment.
  
  
  Questions concerning the conference should be directed to
  Ida J. Hill.  Questions concerning the standards may be
  directed to Thomas Elliott, Chief for Compliance and Teacher
  Education at (804) 371-2522 or Ida J. Hill, Chief for
  Technology at (804) 225-2757.
  
  WCBJr./psw