EDLD 5352 Week 2 Assignment, Part 3: Blog Post #2

In Texas the progress of the Texas long-range plan for technology (LRPT) is required annually. The first progress report associated with this plan documents the State’s progress and accomplishments in meeting recommendations began in 2008. The 2020 vision of the LRPT is to create an educational system where students, parents, educators, and community and school board members can expect a highly level initiative in technology. Technology planning and resources must support the educational system of the 21st century. The 21st century learners are students who are very knowledgeable and up to date with technology. They are very comfortable with technology as it is a key component in their life. The voices of students and teachers were heard.

“The 1999-2001 Educational Technology Advisory Committee (ETAC) developed and piloted the Texas STaR Chart, a tool for districts to use for planning and self-assessing School Technology and Readiness aligned with the Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology, 1996-2010. The Texas STaR Chart is designed to help campuses and districts determine their progress toward meeting the goals of the long-range plan” (“LRPT,” p. 53, 2006). There are four key areas of focus on the STaR Chart. In the years, 2004-2005 and 2005-2006, most school districts in Texas indicated they were at the Developing Tech stage in all four areas of the campus and teacher STaR Chart. This was considered low scoring. Immediately the priority needs were identified, to increase ratings, in dedicated technology funding, students-to-computer ratio, technical support, and professional development (LRPT, pgs. 65-66, 2006).

The No Child Left Behind Act - Title II Part D was passed and its primary is to improve student academic achievement through the use of technology in elementary schools and secondary schools. Additional goals included “to assist every student in crossing the digital divide by ensuring that every student is technologically literate by the time the student finishes the eighth grade, regardless of the student's race, ethnicity, gender, family income, geographic location, or disability. Also, to encourage the effective integration of technology resources and systems with teacher training and curriculum development to establish research-based instructional methods that can be widely implemented as best practices by State educational agencies and local educational agencies” (“LRPT,” p. 82, 2006).

The National Educational Technology plan consisted of seven major action steps and recommendations. They are strengthen leadership, consider innovative budgeting, improve teacher training, support e-Learning and virtual schools, encourage broadband access, move toward digital content, and integrate data systems (“LRPT,” pgs. 83-85, 2006).