Frequently Asked Questions

What is a NYSSTL School?

The NYSSTL pilot started with middle schools to address both the middle school technology literacy goal as well as support for teachers. Year one of the pilot began with 7th graders from the entire region attending a week-long summer tech camp to teach technology, mentoring and leadership skills. Back in school, these NYSSTL student pioneers led technology literacy mentoring sessions and workshops for their peers.

Using the TechYES Student Technology Literacy Certification model, these Student Technology Leaders (STLs) collaborated with adult technology coaches from the BOCES and on-site technology teachers to assist as all 7th grade students work to achieve technology literacy certification. As more Student Technology Leaders were recruited, their role expanded from peer mentoring to providing technology support for teachers.

Students who join their school’s STL team can choose to contribute by providing tech support, planning technology infused projects for teachers, or providing technology peer mentoring. The STLs greatly increase the resources and support for all technology activity at a school site for all classrooms and subjects. Download the NYSSTL Fact Sheet for more information.

What is an STL?

In NYSSTL, Student Technology Leaders (STLs) are selected by the school. The methods of selection varies from school to school, but typically STLs are chosen for their leadership and technology skills. STLs have two main responsibilities in the school- helping their peers become technology literate and helping teachers integrate technology into their classes.

Technology Literacy
In NYSSTL, Student Technology Leaders help their 7th grade classmates prove that they are technology literate. To meet the No Child Left Behind requirement that all students are technology literate by the end of middle school, all 7th graders in NYSSTL schools create two original, creative technology projects that demonstrate technology skills. Each student receives a TechYES Student Guide, which takes them through the nationally recognized TechYES process of building real-world projects that meet national standards for technology literacy. Online tools and curriculum support this process, with customizable reports available directly from the NYSSTL portal. At the end of the year, each 7th grade student who has completed two projects receives a TechYES Certificate as proof of their technology literacy skills—critical building blocks for success in school and life in the 21st century.

Teacher Support
NYSSTL pilot schools also take part in GenYES, the federally rated “exemplary” technology integration program that trains students to take the lead in bringing technology into the nation’s classrooms. In GenYES, teachers request student help with Technology Assistance Projects (TAPs) using the provided online help desk tools and management system. The Student Technology Leaders learn technology skills, plus collaboration and communication skills for working with teachers. The STLs come up with fun, educational ways to help teachers teach using technology. In a few short months, NYSSTL student leaders have created classroom websites for teachers, presented to a board of education about technology, and guided hundreds of students through authentic projects to complete technology literacy certification. Teachers in NYSSTL schools get one-on-one technology lessons and support from student leaders when and where they need it—in the classroom. By helping teachers, STLs learn about education and that they can make valuable contributions to their own learning community. Most importantly, all the students in these schools are more engaged by technology-infused lessons created by their peers.

How is NYSSTL Funded?

NYSSTL builds on over a decade of successful state and federally supported New York State student-centered technology initiatives based on the GenYES and TechYES models.

In December 2007, the Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery (HFM) BOCES in New York was awarded a two-year EETT grant to establish a substantial pilot study for an eventual statewide Student Technology Leaders program for all New York elementary and secondary schools. Working with the Generation YES Corporation, HFM BOCES has completed the second year of the EETT grant with all middle schools in 24 districts covering seven New York counties.

The NYSSTL program was successful in receiving an additional, three-year grant in July 01, 2009. This second grant expands on the success and research base of the NYSSTL and DLS models and seeks to: (1) Increase the number of middle schools implementing the NYSSTL model and expand into the high schools; (2) Work with BOCES throughout New York, and expand the NYSSTL model to hundreds of New York public and private school in Year 3, through the development and dissemination of a NYSSTL Toolkit; (3) Enhance the DLS concept to include year-long residencies for teachers.  Due to this grant, NYSSTL has already expanded to twenty-two more districts for the 2009-10 school year!

How do I become a NYSSTL School?

The HFM BOCES is planning a rigorous NYSSTL expansion model. All New York middle schools will be invited to join NYSSL and receive services from the BOCES. The BOCES will create and coordinate these implementations, and plan statewide student leadership events and conferences.

First year formative evaluation of NYSSTL has already shown thousands of 7th grade students meeting technology standards and hundreds of teachers learning technology skills and collaborating with students to produce valuable resources for their classes. New York is moving forward to become the first state where all teachers and students receive quality technology support from a team of highly trained students, our future leaders. To request information on becoming a NYSSTL school click here.