Review of the '08 Progress Report for the LRP for Technology

The 2008 Progress Report on the Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 is a very informative document that provides some insight to exactly what has been accomplished over the past few years in the ever-changing area of technology. The report begins with a survey, NetDay Speak UP 2007, completed by a nonprofit group which reported the use of technology in schools and at home for students grade K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. The report goes on to report in detail the progress made in each of the key areas; Teaching and Learning, Educator Preparation and Development, Leadership, Administration, and Instructional Support, and Infrastructure for Technology. Also in the review of each area are additional resources for support and improvement, along with examples of different pilot programs used to increase learning. The progress report also included information on each of the Education Service Centers in Texas. I personally learned a lot about the Region Center that services my area. While Region 4 is one of the geographically smallest regions, it serves the largest student and professional populations in the state. For each of the four key areas, the Service Center provides a variety of services. For example, to supplement and enhance Teaching and Learning, the Service Center provides; administrative, financial and quality control for the Texas Virtual School, Blackboard Online Management System, online teacher certification programs, and the Comprehensive Curriculum, Assessment and Professional Development System. In the key area of Educator Preparation and Development, Region 4; provides alternative certification in 43 different areas and trains candidates in domestic alternative certification programs and EC-4 Bilingual Generalist through distance education. Region 4 has an extensive list of services provided in the Leadership, Administration, and Instructional Leadership. Some of these services include; facilitating the Technology Leadership Group, provides assistance through the Texas Cooperative Purchasing Network to purchase technology equipment, performs reviews of PEIMS data, develops web-based applications, and performs technology audits to support district efforts in continuous improvement. To enhance the Infrastructure for Technology in Region 4, the Service Center offers; internet access and filtering through esc4.net, operates video-conferencing, offers virtual data center services and maintains expertise to support schools.