Blog Posting Two:

Federal and state law mandates that states and their school districts report progress toward technology excellence. In Texas the progress of the Texas long-range plan for technology is required annually. The first progress report associated with this plan documents the State’s progress and accomplishments in meeting recommendations began in 2008. Identified in the report are the various collaborations and activities initiated by Texas public schools, regional education service centers, and the Texas Education Agency to work toward the goals outlined in the plan. This survey is to determine the progress schools are making toward Texas long range and district goals for technology. The plan has four domains: Teaching and learning, educator preparations and development, leadership, administration and instructional support, and infrastructure for technology. Schools from each district fill out the STaR Chart survey, but where is the accountability? When teachers complete the survey of the STaR Chart, how truthful are they when reporting on their use of technology in their lessons or do they realize how to evaluate the use of technology within their classroom. Teachers are presently overwhelmed with their current work load and do not realize how important it is that they stay current in the ever changing trends in technology and how to apply it in their classroom. My suggestion, after reading this report is to include the students’ help to introduce what technology they feel is most important and will help them learn in collaboration with their other classmates. These progress reports are valuable information to see where our nation is with technology, but we must but we must follow up with all stakeholders, but especially the students to see how they will learn with it.