Houston ISD has an impressive comprehensive technology plan. This plan is constantly being reviewed and/or changed to meet the quickly changing world of technology. Because the districts needs and goals change, the plan provides for regular reevaluation. The plan claims to be financially realistic. This strategic plan was written to address the four key areas of the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology. These areas are: 1) Teaching and Learning, 2) Educator Preparation, 2) Leadership, Administration, and Support, and 4) Infrastructure for Technology. . Using goals such as 100% internet accessibility and “a roadmap to provide anytime, anywhere, professional development opportunities”, they maintain an elastic approach to education technology.
Professional development is to be evaluated and approved by the Educational Technology Managers and Team, the Professional Development Services department, the Alternative Certification Program, as well as Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment. Ongoing assessment is provided by the STaR Chart survey administered yearly. The budget for professional development for educational technology is $1,200,000 to be allocated from 2009 – 2012.
A complete evaluation of the hardware and infrastructure is addressed at the outset. According to the snapshot, HISD is doing well. They claim a 5:1 ratio of students to computers and a 1:1 ration of teachers to computers. This would indicate that with proper training, all students could be exposed to educational technology in almost every class. The Snapshot also commented on some weaknesses in HISD infrastructure. The predominant issue is the lack of cable and telephone access due to the age of the facilities. With a budget of over three million dollars, they have successfully implemented many of the goals.
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