E-Rate and Tech Plan

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National Educaitonal Technology Plan

In the National Education Plan addresses the current state of education and the goals to change through technology. The prevalent goals are transforming American education to include engaging, meaningful lessons to close the achievement gap so more students are graduating from High school prepared for a future of college and work.

To reach these goals education will have to reflect that of the average American youth. 24/7 access to learning, not just the traditional 5 day week -10 month school year. Education needs to match what today’s learner is doing the second they are out of the classroom, and sometimes covertly in the classroom: TECHNOLOGY.

Educators need to embrace technology and give access for all learners to become lifelong learners. To do this professional development and understanding we are not the only experts is the key.  This way individual educational goals can be met not only by the teacher, but by other students in the classroom, experts in particular fields of study, others from around the world. 21^st Century learners are no longer locked into what their locale has to offer.

Quality educators need to be recruited and retained. Those educators need to embrace the technology connection as our students have and partner with others. By doing so, educators will improve their teaching dramatically bringing them into the category of co-learners with their peers and even their students. No longer will teaching be a solitary event but one in which educators become part of a team of online, plugged in lifelong learners.

The only concern about the National Educational Technology Plan is, as always, money.  Finding the funds to radically transform the way America teaches its youth will be daunting at best. Federal mandates only put pressure on the state which has a way of trickling down to local government.  This pass the buck bill will only cause further harm to the education system, and delay in implementation of the National Educational Technology Plan.

District Technology Plan

The first thing that came to mind as I read through the Belton ISD technology plan is that it ends this year. Next –wonder if there is a new committee and if so can I get on it.  I mean how amazing would it be to practice what I am learning as I learn it? 

I digress –our district plan covers three years 2008-20011 a three year span.  This brings to mind several issues. Our district has undergone many changes in that short time frame. One: superintendent change. Two: new schools added to the district. These schools are not only new but are built around technology and one to one access. Three: incredible student enrollment –numbers are way up. These are just a few things jumping around in my head. The next question was did the former committee really foresee all this happening and plan for it –or did some of these wonderful events take place as a result of serendipity?

The plan does address the results of the LoTi survey and STaR chart to tackle the needs identified.  The plan likewise broaches the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Technology Applications, noting that additional technology hardware, software, and infrastructure have become evident (Belton ISD Technology Planning Advisory Committee, 2008). Additional needs were also discussed, everything from networks to instructional.

Once all the needs of the coming three years were identified, Belton ISD Technology planning committee put into place a series of goals – long range planning/budgeting, reach TEA Exemplary status, attract and retain high-performing faculty and staff, provide safe and secure schools, and promote partnership all stakeholders.    These goals were monitored by the committee through by integrating the technology plan into the District Improvement Plan whose progress is monitored monthly (Belton ISD Tech PAC, 2008). The plan addressed all areas providing for professional development –moving toward an online training system, which was attained at the end of the school year 2010-2011.  The people responsible for the goals were everyone from the Director of Technology to the Public Affairs Director.  An overall budget of $1,484,000.00 was created to meet the plan goals.

In answer to my own question earlier in this post, it appears that yes, my district did plan for all the possibilities the three year plan would encompass. I still do believe in a little bit of serendipity –I really do not think that a New Tech High was in the realm of possibles when the committee met.  This I believe came later. However, since the Tech PAC was in grated into the district improvement plan, they were able to react and act quickly to bring about this wonderful opportunity for  the students of Belton.

 Belton ISD Technology Planning Advisory Committee, Technology Plan. (2008) Retrieved from http://www.bisd.net/cms/lib/TX01001322/Centricity/Domain/49/Planning_and_Policies/TechPlan08-11.pdf

Technology Assessment? Yes!

Technology assessment for one and all is vital to the progress of individual schools and school districts.  Without assessing where individual educators and students knowledge and skills are within the technology framework, it would be difficult to plan for the future of all stakeholders involved. 

Using the Texas StaR chart, for example, helps districts in defining and indicating the areas of most need per individual school.  The district can then plan for more and appropriate professional development if this is the area of need.  Teaching educators to use technology to incorporate into their subject area, and creating more student center learning opportunities will move the school and district to help the 21^st Century learner. Perhaps the district could even create some professional development opportunities for the 21st Century learner making their education more relevant and engaging.

Technology assessment also has a place in helping educators make purchasing decisions on everything from infrastructure right down to which software and how many licenses to buy.

The downside I can see to the STaR chart is that is relies much on the input of teachers and administrators.   Technology can be good in a school – then comes time for the  STaR chart assessment. I have heard of teachers downgrading the true role technology plays in their daily classroom lives.  To what avail – I could not truly say, other that disgruntled people having a bad experiences equaling a not so stellar assessment.  How to improve upon this to keep it from happening? Your guess is as good as mine.  As a matter of fact, if anyone reading this has any ideas, please feel free to comment!