The Long-Range Plan for Technology

The Long-Range Plan for Technology (LRPT) is a very valuable piece of documentation for aspiring administrators. The LRPT provides an overall vision and sets goals, for its readers, of Texas’s vision for technology in education. By the year 2020, Texas hopes to make this vision complete. The vision is broken down into three “phases.” The first phase has a goal to be completed by the year 2010. This phase provides the foundation and framework for the other two phases. The goals and objectives on these two phases will be set and determined based upon the progress made on phase one.

In addition, to laying out an overall vision for the technology, the LRPT provides relevant data, defines societal changes that dictate the need for reform in technology in education and provides insight to the nature of the 21st century learner as well as what teachers are saying about the current state of technology. With the needs and nature of the learner changing, educators must strive to reach these learners by diversifying their methods and reaching out to the 21st century learner. It is noted throughout the data given, that teachers want to learn how to meet the needs of these learners and the importance of integrating technology throughout their lesson planning.
The final portion of the LRPT sets individual visions for teaching and learning; educator preparation and development; leadership, administration and instructional support and the infrastructure for technology. Recommendations are made to the Texas Education Agency, Regional Service Centers, school districts, higher education agencies and the communities for each of the aforementioned areas follow each of the visions set forth in the LRPT.