How Are We Doing? A Progress Report on the Texas Technology Plan 200-2008

The Progress Report on the Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 addresses the strides the state of Texas has made in educational technology. There are two major sections that are addressed in this report to the Texas legislature- progress on the key areas of the Long Range Plan, including a report on the Technology Immersion Pilot (TIP) and the Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN) programs and the latter part details the services offered at the twenty regional education service centers and their progress on implementing the Long Range Plan. In the first section, the report begins with an assessment of data results from the Net Day Speak Up 2007. In reviewing the data from students, teachers, and parents, I was surprised by the fact that 89% of the participants surveyed stated they had a computer with DSL or cable access. Additionally, 59% of the teachers believe they are average tech users, indicating they are “more technology equipped to meet the evolving needs of theirs students.” This is incredible in a state where many of the students come from low-income families.

In addressing the TIP and TxVSN programs, the data showed many interesting facts. I found it no surprise that the greater access to laptops and other digital resources, the more opportunities students had to engage in “intellectually demanding work” while in the TIP program. Principals, as is the case in many aspects of education, drive the success of any project. Principals who were more involved and invested in the TIP project where considered higher technology immersion schools and had more positive results with students and teachers. The TxVSN demonstrated through virtual school access, more students stayed in school and completed credits toward graduation. In support of the Long Range Plan, education service centers are offering many services such as access to Blackboard and ongoing professional development opportunities. Through tapping into the services, campuses can improve their ratings on their STaR Charts. In conclusion, the report showed the state is making adequate progress on the Long Range Plan as they continue to implement initiatives that promote staff development and greater access to technology.

Reference:
Progress Report on the Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020. (2008). Austin, TX: Texas Education Agency.