Post #2 2010 Progress Report

Texas is addressing the importance and need for providing an appropriate instructional environment to prepare students for learning and working in the 21st century. The Texas Education Agency in 2008 and again in 2010 gathered data to issue a progress report toward this goal. The 2010 progress report sets forth the vision of the Long Range Technology goal. It also links this initiative to No Child Left Behnind Title II, Part D, Technology Requirments. Within the report are also ways to obtain tutuorials through an online tutoring pilot, Texas virtual School Network, and Interactive Videoconferencing. The report also outlines a rurarl technology pilot to assure all parts of Texas has the internet. How this report applies to Educator preparation, standards, and development is also a focus area. The report describes how the state is using the STaR Chart and how funding is alloted for technology. This would also be part of the infrastructure. The Education Service Centers role within the initiative as trainers and facilitators was also discussed as a directive of the report. What I found interesting was how the report shows how the tools and resources for all stakeholders in a school are to be provided and how they will impact teaching and learning for the 21st century learner. To support the teachers there will be a series of professional development opportunities that will focus on the needs or our digital learners. Teachers will also be able to share best practices and plan for their new learning opportunities. All of this will culminate in assisting the creation of our 21st century school.s