The LRPT was put into place so that schools in the state of Texas would increase 21st century teaching skills along with improving 21st century technology skills for students. The Progress Report for the LRPT was aimed at determining the improvement schools have shown meeting recommendations of the four key sections of the 2006-2020 plan over a 2 year period from 2006-08. This progress report also encompasses interim results of two legislatively mandated programs that were executed through the 2006-2008 timeframe. These programs are the Technology Immersion Pilot (TIP) and the Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN).
The Texas Star Chart was the tool used to determine the success of schools in meeting the LRPT goals. The data collected from these state mandated Star Charts was used to determine progress on a local and statewide level.
Although these data results did not show an overwhelming improvement by school in all Key areas, there were, more schools appearing in the Advanced Tech Key area in all four areas from year to year. One of the key reasons for this is the availability of technology. As more products become more available, the price comes down to an affordable area for schools to use them. Unfortunately, because of this, schools will never have the most up to date technology to use on their campuses. The amount of technology, though, is irrelevant if district and campus leaders do not put an emphasis on professional development and training. I believe this is why the other three key areas are and will remain stagnant in the future if this does not change. The results of this progress report are not nearly as important as the action that should be taken to remedy the situation. Vision without action is only a daydream.
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