Texas Long-Range Analysis

The Vision for 2020 focuses on having students, teachers, and campuses fully linked to the digital age. This plan will allow for students to become competitive in the global marketplace. The plan calls for teachers to be trained through staff-development sessions that focus on the integration of technology into the classroom. Resources need to be set aside to ensure that this occurs and that campuses are ready for the phases of technology integration that will continue through the year 2020.
The goal of Texas educators is to produce a citizenry that can effectively compete in the global marketplace by providing students equitable access to resources and developing a direction of our schools technology programs. The 21st century learner expects for information to be relevant and applicable. It needs to be presented in a variety of settings that allows for traditional skills to be reinforced and critical thinking/problem solving skills to allow them to communicate in a technology-rich society. The integration of technology into Texas schools can transform the process of teaching by allowing for greater interest, creativity, inquiry, analysis, and collaboration.
Challenges that the state face consist of alignment of technology TEKS into all aspect of curriculum, allow for best practices in educational technology and develop new strategies, and creating and implementing new and effective teaching strategies. Professional development must emphasize the need and importance of technology and its many uses and teach teachers how to successfully integrate the skills needed for success. Educator preparation programs must collaborate with Pre K-12 schools to ensure that beginning educators are experienced and familiar with the technology used on Texas campuses.
School administrators directly impact the development and implementation of new technologies within the campus. By developing committees that incorporate campus stakeholders, the group develops the vision of the school and begins to expand the technology program to fit the state and national standards outlined to promote student success. Effective leaders must model and provide innovative learning environments by maximizing the educational benefits from the investment in technology.
Data-driven decisions allow for vast amounts of information and resources that tie directly to curriculum and instruction planning. The goals of the district are to provide a quality education for all students that are customized and personal to meet the needs of the 21st century learner. The use of data and surveys will allow for Texas leaders to understand the needs of students and identify the elements needed to support and develop students that can compete in the global economy.