Progress Report

The 2008 Progress Report on the Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 provides us data that demonstrates what has been accomplished over the past few year. Technology is ever changing. The report begins with a survey, NetDay Speak UP 2007. This report was completed by a nonprofit grou,p which reported the use of technology in schools and at home for students grade K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. The report goes on to report the progress made in each of the key areas; Teaching and Learning, Educator Preparation and Development, Leadership, Administration, and Instructional Support, and Infrastructure for Technology. In the review of each area are additional resources for support and improvement, along with examples of different pilot programs used to increase learning. The progress report also included information on each of the Education Service Centers in Texas. Region 7 serves our area. Region 7 Service Center provides a variety of services that support each of the four key areas. To supplement and enhance Teaching and Learning, the Service Center provides; administrative, financial and quality control for the Texas Virtual School, Blackboard Online Management System, online teacher certification programs, and the Comprehensive Curriculum, Assessment and Professional Development System. In the area of Educator Preparation and Development, Region 7; provides alternative certification in many different areas and trains candidates in domestic alternative certification programs and EC-4 Bilingual Generalist through distance education. Region 7 provides alternative teacher education programs, as well as support of new teachers. Region 7 has an extensive list of services provided in the Leadership, Administration, and Instructional Leadership. Some of these services include; facilitating the Technology Leadership Group, provides assistance through the Texas Cooperative Purchasing Network to purchase technology equipment, performs reviews of PEIMS data, develops web-based applications, and performs technology audits to support district efforts in continuous improvement. Region 7 offers many other classes and support material. Region 7 has partnerships all throughout the state in an attempt to provide any successful training it can find.