WASHINGTON, D.C.— Oct. 18, 2017 — Today the Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) jointly announced that Connecticut is the first state to endorse both the ISTE Standards for Students and for Educators.

The ISTE Standards are designed to empower student voice and ensure that learning is a student-driven process. The standards work together to support learning by providing aspirational and achievable guidelines for the skills and knowledge that students, educators and leaders need. The standards provide a framework for rethinking education, adapting to a constantly changing technological landscape and preparing students to enter an increasingly global economy.

The Nutmeg State’s endorsement of the standards comes as the Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology announced a five-year plan that supports the effective use of technology for all learners, teachers and educational organizations in Connecticut.

“Technology holds great potential and has proven a powerful force in supporting teaching and learning at all levels in Connecticut,” said Commission Executive Director Doug Casey. “It makes perfect sense to endorse the Standards, given ISTE’s global leadership role in educational technology and the extensive research, planning and stakeholder feedback that informed the Standards.”

“We congratulate Connecticut on becoming a national leader in endorsing the ISTE Standards,” said ISTE Senior Director Carolyn Sykora. “We see how technology is more than a tool, but also a vehicle to transform learning and teaching and accelerate innovation. The standards help frame areas of focus and provide a roadmap that can be adapted from classroom to classroom.”

The Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology will be working with its ISTE affiliate organization, the Connecticut Educators Computer Association (CECA), and other state educational leaders to operationalize the ISTE Standards for Students and Educators.

“CECA is excited to help Connecticut schools implement ISTE’s Standards for both students and educators,” said CECA President Sue Weber. “We look forward to working with the Commission to provide our members with training, support and a digital platform for sharing and networking.”

Connecticut is one of several states and school districts to formalize use of the ISTE Standards including the state of Texas and Los Angeles Unified School District. Many others are currently working on adoption and are expected to endorse the standards in the coming months.

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About ISTE

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is a nonprofit organization that works with the global education community to accelerate the use of technology to solve tough problems and inspire innovation. Our worldwide network believes in the potential technology holds to transform teaching and learning.

ISTE sets a bold vision for education transformation through the ISTE Standards, a framework for students, educators, administrators, coaches and computer science educators to rethink education and create innovative learning environments. ISTE hosts the annual ISTE Conference & Expo, one of the world’s most influential edtech events. The organization’s professional learning offerings include online courses, professional networks, year-round academies, peer-reviewed journals and other publications. ISTE is also the leading publisher of books focused on technology in education. For more information or to become an ISTE member, visit iste.org. Subscribe to ISTE’s YouTube channel and connect with ISTE on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

About the Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology

As the State’s educational technology advisor, the Commission designs, stewards, and promotes policies, programs, insights, and resources that support the effective use of technology for all learners, teachers, and educational organizations in Connecticut. Its work addresses the needs of the K – 12, higher education, library, and research communities through its five-year State Educational Technology Goals and Plan. Its work supports the delivery of high-quality, open education resources that reduce instructional costs for schools and students; provides high-speed broadband access to Connecticut districts, libraries, towns, and research institutions; addresses the “homework gap” to get students online outside of school; and promotes the adoption of technology and security standards and best practices. The Commission’s members represent and advocate on behalf of a broad diversity of stakeholders, from K–12 schools and universities to municipalities and the private sector.