My Summary of the National Educational Technology Plan

     As stated in the National Educational Technology Plan, the Obama administration has two aggressive goals for education.  The administration's goals are to "raise the proportion of college students so that 60% of our population holds a two-year or four-year degree by the year  2020, and close the achievement gap so that all students graduate from high school ready to succeed in college and careers," (National Educational Technology Plan, 2010).   I commend the administration for having such high expectations for education in the United States.  I agree that there is much need for improvement, and that we should expect students to further their education not only for their personal benefit, but also to provide businesses with educated employees.  This is important for the well-being of our economy as well. However, I do believe achieving these goals by the year 2020 is quiet aggressive in reality.  Texas has run into difficulties due to limited financial resources.  This year Texas cut the Education budget and refused to use "Rainy-Day" funds to supplement the loss.  This is a huge set-back for our school districts, at least for the next two years until budgets are reconsidered at the state level.  Many districts had to cut programs that are beneficial to student's educational progress, some being related to technology use.  
     The National EducationalTechnology Plan's objective is to" improve student learning, accelerate and scale up the adoption of effective practices, and use data and information for continuous improvement," (National Educational Technology Plan, 2010).  In doing so, there are five goals:

• Learning: Engage and Empower -  All learners will have engaging and emerging experiences both in and out of school that prepare them to be active, creative, knowledgeable, and ethical participants in our globally networked society.
• Assessment: Measure What Matters - Our education system at all levels will leverage the power of technology to measure what matters and use data for continuous improvement.
• Teaching: Prepare and Connect - Professional educators will be supported individually and in teams by technology that connects them to data, content, resources, expertise, and learning experiences that enable and inspire more effective teaching for all learners.
• Infrastructure: Access and Enable - All students and educators will have access to comprehensive infrastructure for learning when and where they need it.
• Productivity: Redesign and Transform - Our education system levels will redesign  process and structures to take advantage of the power of technology to improve learning outcomes while making efficient use of time, money, and staff. 

     I feel as though Texas does have these goals in mind according to the Texas Long-Range Plan.  The Long-Range Plan does support the teaching goals in the National Educational Technology Plan in that both plans agree teachers, students (on and off campus), and communities should all be connected through high speed internet access.  Both plans support professional development to ensure educators are well trained and able to incorporate technology in classroom instruction, as well as the use of effective technology tools to document student progress and to document the effectiveness of technology in the classroom.


Resources


National Educational Technology Plan 2010
http://www.ed.gov/sites/default/files/nept2010-execsumm.pdf


Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology 2006-2020
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=5082&menu_id=2147483665