National Education Technology Plan

How the NETP supports the goals of NCLB

Curriculum Services Associates

“We cannot assume that our schools will naturally drift toward using technology effectively. We must commit ourselves to staying the course and making the changes necessary to reach our goals of educating every child. These are ambitious goals, but they are goals worthy of a great nation such as ours. Together, we can use technology to ensure that no child is left behind.”

President George W. Bush

As it Stands

Over the last 20 years, despite the investment of hundreds of billions of dollars in education, reading and math scores remained essentially flat.

A Change is in the Air

Excitement about the changes that the digital age brings to how we learn and how we teach.

Changes are driven by NCLB. Changed are fueled by our students.

Goals of NCLB

Every child can read by the 3rd grade. Students are technology literate by 8th

grade. A highly qualified teacher in every public

school classroom by 2005. Data is to be used to drive decisions,

target resources, and support instruction.

The Students

Largest most diverse population. Came of age with the Internet. Their community lies within a digital place.

They influence the present and they are the future!

They are the Millenials

Over 90%Say that doing well in school is importantPlan to continue their education after high

schoolUse the Internet for school related projects

In addition, family is important, they take a real interest in the world and their community, and have substantial

purchasing power.Pew Internet & American Life Project

Teens and Young Children

They are online!They rely on Internet sources for schoolThey feel the Internet improves relationships Instant messaging is the preferred method of

communication

And, over 70% of young children use home computers on a weekly basis

What does this mean?

Today’s students feel strongly about the value of technology.

They use technology in nearly every aspect of their life.

They are more comfortable with computers than their parents and teachers.

“We have technology in our blood”High School Student

What is our Challenge?

How do we create learning environments that fully engage this generation?

How do we ensure that these students have the skills and knowledge to be productive members of a global, information based economy.

Are we ready for this generation?

National Education Technology Plan: The Future is Now Seven Action Steps

Strengthen Leadership Consider Innovative Budgeting Improve Teacher Training Support E-Learning and Virtual Schools Encourage Broadband Access Move Toward Digital Content Integrate Data Systems

National Education Technology Plan

Strengthen Leadership

Invest in leadership development programs to develop a new generation of tech-savvy leaders at every level.

Retool administrator education programs to provide training in technology decision making and organizational change.

Develop partnerships between schools, higher education and the community.

Encourage creative technology partnerships with the business community.

Empower students’ participation in the planning process.

Consider Innovative Budgeting Determine the total costs for technology as a

percentage of total spending. Consider a systemic restructuring of budgets to

realize efficiencies, cost savings and reallocation.

Consider leasing with 3-5 year refresh cycles. Create a technology innovation fund to carry

funds over yearly budget cycles.

Improve Teacher Training

Improve the preparation of new teachers in the use of technology.

Ensure that every teacher has the opportunity to take online learning courses.

Improve the quality and consistency of teacher education through measurement, accountability and increased technology resources.

Ensure that every teacher knows how to use data to personalize instruction.

Support E-Learning and Virtual Schools Provide every student access to e-learning. Enable every teacher to participate in e-learning training. Encourage the use of e-learning options to meet No

Child Left Behind requirements for highly qualified teachers, supplemental services and parental choice.

Explore creative ways to fund e-learning opportunities. Develop quality measures and accreditation standards

for e-learning that mirror those required for course credit.

Encourage Broadband Access Thoroughly evaluate existing technology infrastructure

and access to broadband to determine current capacities and explore ways to ensure its reliability.

Encourage that broadband is available all the way to the end-user for data management, online and technology-based assessments, e-learning, and accessing high-quality digital content.

Encourage the availability of adequate technical support to manage and maintain computer networks, maximizeeducational uptime and plan for future needs.

Move Toward Digital Content Ensure that teachers and students are

adequately trained in the use of online content. Encourage ubiquitous access to computers and

connectivity for each student. Consider the costs and benefits of online

content, aligned with rigorous state academic standards, as part of a systemic approach to creating resources for students to customize learning to their individual needs.

Integrate Data Systems

Establish a plan to integrate data systems so that administrators and educators have the information they need to increase efficiency and improve student learning.

Use data from both administrative and instructional systems to understand relationships between decisions, allocation of resources and student achievement.

Ensure interoperability. Use assessment results to inform and differentiate

instruction for every child.

What We Now Know!

Our students need the competence and knowledge to compete in a technology driven economy.

New models of education facilitated by technology are vital in the process.

Tech-savvy students are often far ahead of their teachers.

E-learning and Virtual Schools hold promise for education.

A Final Thought…..

Over the next decade hopefully we will see a spectacular rise in the

achievement of our students due to the creative and exciting era of education

that is upon us.