Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 Review

After reading the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020, I have decided to write about the Teaching and Learning aspect of the plan. The Vision of the plan is to make sure that all students are actively engaged in their learning process. We are responsible for giving our students these opportunities at home and in their communities as well as at school. I totally agree with this vision and agree that our students must be afforded the opportunity to learn and given the opportunity to use technology in that learning on every level. It also states in the plan that "educational technology equalizes the learning environment" for our students. I also agree with this statement because it should not matter where you live or what part of this great state you live in, technology allows all of our students to help educate themselves about any and everything they want to learn about. All of our students should be allowed to have access to the world's technology stage and be able to experience all it has to offer.
There were a couple of recommendations to the Texas Education Agency that caught my eye and I would like to write about one of those. "Encourage and support the continued development of innovative programs and technical standards designed to increase access to online learning tools and content for all learners, including those with disabilities". The mention of persons with disabilities is one aspect that I have never really thought about. We have special needs children that could greatly benefit from technology tools and it would greatly improve their abilities to function in the school setting better.
The plan went on to make recommendations to the State Board for Educator Certification, Regional Education Service Centers, Local Education Agencies, Texas Higher Education, to Parents, Communities,and the Private Sector. Most of the suggestions are directly associated with improving student learning and teacher learning through the use of technology. They all have to do with finding ways to promote education and student opportunities through the implementation of technological tools.

As far as progress is concerned, locally, we have made great strides to follow the plan. The use and purchases of technological equipment has gone way up in the past few years. We are continually upgrading our computers and the ability for our students to access the technology upgrades. According to the reading, our state is just above the national average in almost every catagory of technological improvements. Our state plan is serving us well and we continue to improve our state wide technological advancements. One recommendation that I have is for our state to helping out more with our advancements. They keep mandating we do this and that, but they never have a stable plan to fully finance the needs to get the job done fully.



All information was taken from Long-Range Plan for Technology 2006-2020, A Report to the 80th Legislature from the Texas Education Agency
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/technology/etac