The 2010 Progress Report on the Long-Range Plan for Technology

The 2010 Progress Report on the Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 communicates recommendations to prepare our 21^st century learners.  The needs addressed are based on 24/7 access to appropriate knowledge for students, parents and educators.  The plan is assessed through the use of STaR charts.  The progress report shows the Teaching and Learning component of the Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 is in a developing stage of development.  This means the use of technology is mainly teacher directed.  The goal of the plan is for teachers to become facilitators – allowing students to take control of their learning.  The other developing section of the report is Educator Preparation and Development.  Technology Applications is a course intended to get students ready for the shift to 21^st century classrooms.  There are other programs and plans included in the Long-Range Plan intended to increase student and teacher fluency in classroom technology implementation.  The following are programs the Long-Range Plan implements to move campuses forward toward 21^st century learning. These programs and plans include:  the Technology Literacy Pilot, Technology Immersion Plan, Vision 2020 Grant, Target Tech in Texas (T3) Grant,  Connections Grant, Rural Technology Pilot Program, Distance Learning, Texas Virtual Schools Network, Electronic Course Program (eCP), Interactive Videoconferencing,  Digital Content and Instructional Materials, K-12 Databases,  Online Tutoring Pilot, Project Share, The Intel Teach Program, Technology Applications Teacher Network (TATN) Best Practices Event, STAR Grants, and Educational Technology Advisory Committee (ETAC).  The other sections of the Long-Range Plan including Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support and the section Infrastructure for Technology are characterized as Advanced according to the results of the STaR charts.  This is good news for schools.  The focus of the plan must turn to the teachers and students in order to increase the Teaching & Learning and Educator Preparation and Development sections.