Blog #2: 2008 Progress Report on the Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020

The 2008 Progress Report on the Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 presented to the 81st Texas State Legislature by the Texas Education Agency indicates that there was an increase in technology integration and utilization in Texas schools between September 2006 and August 2008. In all four key reporting areas—Teaching and Learning; Educator Preparation and Development; Leadership, Administration, and Instructional Support; and Infrastructure for Technology—there was an increase of between 3% and 7% from the previous year. Leadership and Infrastructure saw the greatest gains.


It makes sense that the areas of Leadership and Infrastructure were where the increase was greatest. In order to see real technology integration on a campus, leaders and administrators need to lead the change through the development of a strong, clear vision for technology use and integration and the allocation of the time and budgetary resources necessary to make the vision a reality. The second area, Infrastructure, must see growth if we are to be able to provide ready access for all students to a variety of technology tools and resources. This will lead to a necessary increase in Educator Preparation as teachers learn how to effectively utilize the technology to be better teachers, which leads to stronger Teaching and Learning—and greater student achievement and success—through the use of technology in the classroom.

Although the percentage increases may not seem all that impressive, it’s important to keep in mind that we’re looking at the data from one year to the next. Many of the recommendations put forth to the Texas Legislature in 2006 take time to properly implement (although some should have already been in place from previous recommendations). It also takes time to figure out how to adequately budget for the added expenses and costs.

Reference

Texas Education Agency. (2008). Progress Report on the Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020.
   Retrieved from http://www.ed.gov/sites/default/files/NETP-2010-final-report.pdf