Where's the Money?

Budgeting is a key factor to the success of the Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support area of the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020, so where’s the money? Funds should be available to make sure the appropriate professional development takes place so that teachers can instruct students using technology. In fact, the district must allocate at least 30 percent of technology allotment budget for professional development. “The state is also responsible for budgeting for all aspects of technology.” (2006. p. 30) Once funding is available leader must offer expanded curricular and instructional opportunities to students via online, digital technology and a variety of distance learning technologies. Leaders, administrators and instructional support must model the use of technology. They must also be flexible to adjust to different technical needs of students and staff. The must be a plan in place for these thing to happen. We have the plans but where’s the money? With the recent discussions of state and federal budget cuts, my district has indicated on our website that the technology budget may be reduced. This will have the trickledown effect so even though my school has classified as advanced in the area of Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support(LAIS)for the last 3 years we may move down to developing because of budget cuts. According to the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 the state is suppose to have 25% of their technology budget dedicated to help districts maintain the advanced classification so, hopefully we will keep our rating. We are on the right track with LAIS; we are improving one point at a time. As long as funding is available we will maintain or exceed our current classification. Texas as a state is ahead of the national average in this area of technology as well therefore, I recommend that the state find other places to make budget cuts that do not affect the education of our children.

http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/technology/EktronAttach/FinalCombinedLRPT.pdf