Progress Reporton the Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020

The Texas long range for technology progress report highlights legislatively mandated programs that were implemented through the 2006-2008 timeframe. The programs are the Technology Immersion Pilot (TIP) and the Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN). TIP provides students and teachers the opportunity to integrate technology into all aspects of teaching and learning as outlined in the Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 and supported through the Technology Applications (TA) through Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) Standards. These strategies also meet the student and teacher requirements in Title II, Part D of No Child Left Behind. The TxVSN serves as a statewide course catalog for Texas public school districts and open enrollment charter schools. All high school courses are led by an instructor who is Texas-certified in the course subject area and grade level and who has completed TxVSN approved professional development on methodologies for effective online instruction. Agency requested $9 million per year of the biennium to implement the TxVSN in and Exceptional Item Request through the Legislative Appropriations Request. NCLB also requires that technology be fully integrated into curriculum and instruction. School districts and teachers are expected to report their progress in meeting this requirement through completing the Texas STaR Charts. The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) approved educator certification standards in Technology are being incorporated into the Texas Examination for Educator Standards (TExES). A closer look at the Campus STaR Chart in the Key Area of Leadership, Administration & Instructional Support reveals more detailed information. Texas public school districts continue to progress toward an infrastructure for technology to allow students and educators to learn and use the skills necessary to be successful in the 21st Century.