Meeting the Virginia Technology Standards for Instructional Personnel (TSIP) is required of all instructional personnel when they renew their license or certificate. The term "instructional personnel" includes anyone in FCPS who holds a license from the Virginia Department of Education and where the license is required for their position. This requirement touches a very broad range of people including cluster directors, principals, librarians, psychologists and, of course, teachers (just to name a few).

Meeting the TSIP requirement is the first step on the road to effectively using technology to support student learning. The School Based Technology Specialist (SBTS) at your site can guide you through this simple process. If you have questions about the process, SBTS should be your first stop on this journey. Many teachers who already use technology can complete the portfolio requirements in three or four hours. Teachers who are not experienced users will have a longer road to travel but they have many options. Academy classes, in-school training and even on-line training are all options. The complete list of training options is available at the TSIP web site. Central office personnel can contact Karen Gerstner at Leis Center (703-208-7786) for information on available training.

The hardest part of the TSIP journey is deciding which fork of the road to take once the basics are complete. Is multimedia one of your final destinations? What about electronic assessment and grading of student work? Perhaps you would like to explore more thoroughly the power of data analysis with your students? The School-Based Technology Specialists are your guide as you continue this journey. The SBTS will escort you on the road and point you in the direction of resources to help. SBTS can team-teach a lesson with you, model a lesson for you or help you plan a technology-integrated lesson. Technology is an extremely powerful tool for student learning and our goal is to be sure that every teacher can navigate the route.