Long-Range Plan

It has become evident to me that the United States has fallen behind on the technological highway. Other countries are graduating millions more students from high school and colleges than the U.S. and it is time for that to change. We, as a nation, state, and local district, need to put our foot down and step towards a more technological time. The state has put together a plan of action and local districts have started to implement this plan to help close this gap. In order for this plan to become a reality, it will take time, funding, and education of both teachers and students. The time table for this plan is broken down into three phases.

Phase I has already begun. It was launched in 2006 and will end in 2010. Phases II and III will begin in 2011 and 2016 and will end in 2015 and 2020. By then, we should be up to speed with the rest of the world. Will other countries advance between now and then? Yes, but with this plan the state has taken that growth into account.

Funding must increase in order for this plan to become a reality. State and local funding will play a key role in expanding technology. Re-allocations and some prioritizing will need to happen to help fund this initiative.

A key component to the state's plan is education. Teachers, administrators, parents, school board members, and even the superintendent will need to become comfortable and proficient in the use of this new technology. Teachers, especially, will need to be proficient in using technology to enable them to educate our students and implement the program.

As a future administrator, I would ensure that staff members have access to staff development opportunities to enable them to use the technology. I will be a strong advocate of using more technology in classrooms. I will lead my staff into becoming more proficient users of technology in order to educate our students.