The Vision 2020 Long Range Plan for Technology replaced earlier versions of the Texas Long Range technology plan. As the new plan was being adopted the Texas Department of Education issued a progress report for accomplishments from 2005 – 2006. In the report the key areas of development are discussed. Texas expects and encourages its educators to be prepared, therefore the LRP high quality educator preparation and development are considered critical and preparing educators to incorporate curriculum rich in technology is a priority.
The Texas Campus STaR chart is a data gathering and report tool used by the state to gauge progress and make recommendations. In 2006 less than 3% of campuses were considered Early Tech and in need of expanded opportunities to provide educators with technology learning. Approximately 63% of campuses reporting were in the Developing Tech stage of technology preparation and acknowledged that most technology use for administrative purposes. The remaining 31% of campuses fell in the Advanced Tech or Target Tech area of development.
Professional development for educators provides them with the knowledge and tools to change the ‘standard’ approach to learning. The Vision 2020 LRP encourages educators to find new ways to deliver curriculum but it is also mindful that educators need additional resources to help them learn, plan, develop and deliver learning opportunities to Texas students. To help meet this goal the Vision 2020 LRP is encouraging district and local administrators to implement opportunities for educators to have access to 24/7 learning opportunities. One program is the Technology Application Teacher Network. This web-based project provides teachers with resources to implementing the Technology Applications TEKS and addressing the goals outlined for technology literacy in No Child Left Behind (NCLB).
In my regional area, Region XIII, Educator Preparation and Development is on-going. In particular professional development opportunities are being offered both at the service center and through online opportunities for certification. Technology integration training is provided for gifted and talented instruction, ESL, Literacy, Math, Science and Social Studies via Region XIII institutes.
In the local area of Liberty Hill there are also on-going initiatives to advance the role of technology for educators. In the past year a new web-page provider gave teachers an opportunity to use technology as an interactive communication tool. Additional training is now needed to help teachers learn and use the Web 2.0 tools available through the web-page platform. Additional opportunities to collaborate with colleagues to develop technology rich lessons are also needed.
Sources
Texas Long Range Plan Progress Reports
Educator Preparation and Development http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/technology/lrpt/EdPrepPRLRPT06.pdf
Education Service Centers
http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/technology/lrpt/ESCPRLRPT06.pdf
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