The Texas Long Range Plan for Technology 2006-2020 requires an infrastructure to be put into place that meets the challenge of the 21st century learner. It entails a plan that provides Texas a vigorous state-wide road that connects technology to students learning through on-demand accessibility to data using schools, libraries, colleges and businesses.
The communications system will provide access to e-learning, technical assistance, secured data, and standards to support all users twenty-four hours, seven days a week. All Texas campuses are to provide adequate and up-to-date technology tools for the learners. Budgetary constraints might seem to make the upgrading of systems seem remote, but for this reason, many districts have passed bonds or have written grants to secure funds to upgrade their technology.
Texas Campus STaR chart was designed in 2004 to be used as a tool for technology planning, budgeting resources and to evaluate the technology readiness of a campus. Results from the 2006-07 Campus STaR chart yielded positive gains in technology. The 2006-08 Progress Report (TEA, 2008) states that 65% of campuses were rated as Developing Tech; implying that there are 5-9 students per computer connected to the Internet, 53% of campuses provided the Internet in all rooms, 63% percent of the campuses provide a computer in each classroom that was connected to the Internet, and 46% of the campuses are connected to a networked printer. Furthermore, 55% of campuses have scheduled access to rich media via Internet. Compared to the previous year, fewer campuses were found to be at the lowest level or “Early Tech.”
Only 7% of Texas campuses have reached the highest level “Target Tech.” A strict adherence to the technology plan will ensure students’ success. It is imperative that Texas’ campuses reach technology readiness so that students can compete in the 21st century.
Progress Report on the Long-Range Plan for Technology 2006-2020. Texas Education Agency. Downloaded on June 15, 2009, from http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/comm/leg_reports/2008/08pr_to_lrpt.pdf
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