5352 Blog Posting 2

Since the first long range plan was created, technology has developed which has allowed an increase of technology innovation within the classroom environment and student learning. The growth of online learning, digital content, digital curriculum, complex data management systems, and online professional development has allowed schools and teachers to prepare for the 21st century work force more effectively. The 2008 Progress Report on the Texas Long Range Technology Plan analyzes several state initiatives to promote technology in Texas education. One initiative is the Texas Virtual Schools Network which is to allow Texas students greater access to online courses. This school network will allow flexibility to students with regards to taking courses as well as the pace of the courses. Based on this report, the network is reviewing courses and establishing online registration for this initiative. They are doing electronic course pilots with charter schools. Another initiative is the Technology Immersion Schools Pilot which is to explore the relationship between educational technology and students performance. They began the process with forty-four (44) middle schools. Twenty-two were immersion schools and the other twenty-two were control groups. They have since moved some control groups to limited immersion groups. The findings reveal so far that this immersion of educational technology has an impact on staff and students. Technology proficiency has increased as well as students score on the state assessment. Students have increased their Math scores particularly with the economically disadvantaged and high achieving students. They also saw an increase in reading scores because of their access to computers.
This 2008 report also gave a summary of the progress of each of the components of the STaR chart. All areas seem to be improving in technology integration and innovation for teaching and learning. The last section of the report reviews the twenty region service centers in the state. It shows their support and initiatives with regards to the Texas Long Range Technology Plan.