Progress Report on the Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020

Blog #2

The Progress Report on the Long Range Plan for Technology is based on the four areas of the STaR Chart. It gives a break down of progress in each area. What I like about the report is that it each region in Texas has a copy of their progress report included in the second section of the LRPT. This is an excellent way to see how my region is progressing toward the goals of the Long Range Plan for Technology.
Teaching and Learning - Many school districts have increased the use of “online learning, digital content and online professional development” (p. 9). There have also been advances in using distance learning and age appropriate data bases. Grants have helped schools focus on “technology literacy and integration” (p. 9) which has helped teachers to be able to incorporate a higher level of technology in their classrooms and some districts have seen student scores increase. In comparing the information on levels of technology acquired, advanced tech increased had the highest rate of increase from 2008-2009 to 2009-2010.
Educator Preparation and Development – TEA along with all of the Region Services Centers work together to provide Professional Development. One of the programs is called Project Share which uses “Web 2.0 tools and applications” (p. 75) to give teachers access to professional development resources and PLC’s across the State of Texas. The area of advanced tech is only about 4% more than developing Tech.
Leadership, Administration, and Instructional Support – The Long Range Plan for Technology helps school leaders in their decisions for effectively using technology. With the help of the STaR Chart administrators are able to have a better vision of their technology needs for the future. There was approximately a 5% increase in the area of advanced tech, 1% increase in Target Tech and a decrease that about equals these two areas in Developing Tech.
Infrastructure – This area has seen the most improvement in Advanced Tech over the other three areas of the STaR Chart information. Infrastructure is very important because without a strong infrastructure, we would not have access to the internet and other basic technology needs. Some school districts benefited from grants that allowed them to provide internet service to student’s homes.
Reference
A report to the 82nd Texas Legislature (2010). 2010 Progress report on the long-range plan for technology, 2006-2020. Texas Education Agency, Austin, TX . Retrieved from www.tea.state.tx.us