Legislators Apparently do not see Vision 2020

All learners:
• have access to relevant technologies,
tools, resources and services for
individualized instruction 24 hours a
day/7 days a week.
• use information and communication
technologies to collaborate, construct
knowledge and provide solutions to realworld
problems and situations that are
encountered.
• use research-based strategies in all
subject areas to improve academic
achievement.
• communicate effectively in a variety of
formats for diverse audiences.

These goals are located in the "Teaching and Learning" section of the State Board of Education's Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology 2006-2010. Here in 2011, we are not quite there. The first item expects all students have access to receive individualized instruction at all times. However, that is not the case where I teach. Many students do not have access to internet at home. They do not even have computers. While at school, the Freshman class was given 1 laptop per student, but we do not have 1 to 1 access for the upperclassmen. The second goal requires the use of information and communication technologies for collaboration and knowledge construction. Again, a small minority of our students have access to utilize wikis or any other collaborative technology. Finally, Phase 1 of the Vision 2020 plan allows for an increase of $50 per student to the Technology Allotment from the Telecommunications Infrastructure fund.

The Texas Legislature, in its never-ending desire to get re-elected, has once again not followed through with funding for schools. With no state budget in place, it is remarkably difficult for districts to make financial plans regarding the purchasing of technology. As of the 2007-2008 school year, the per-student allotment for technology was $27. The original legislation called for the allotment to start at $30 and increase by $5 per year until it reached $50. However, the State Board of Education estimates that it would actually take $123 per student to reach the Advanced tech level. According to the SBOE's report, the technology allotment funding was eliminated by the legislature in 2003.

Local districts have little ability to bring in money. We are at the mercy of the legislature and federal government with regards to how much money we can spend on educational technology. SBOE's goals for Phase 1 are admirable, and I'd like nothing more than to say we've all reached the Advanced tech level. But until the legislature supports this report with funded legislation, we will not get there.