The National Educational Technology Plan (NETP) is based on the America’s need to prosper and compete in the global economy. Higher education will lead to better careers and more earning capacity. Currently only about 39% of Americans hold a 2 to 4 year degree. The goal of the NETP is to have 60% of American graduate from college. Students will graduate from high school prepared to go to college. The other goal of the NETP is to close the achievement gap between all students. These goals are suppose to be met by 2020. Are these reaching these goals possible? Given enough time, funding, training, reaching the goals is definitely possible. However reaching the goal of 60% of Americans holding a degree by 2020 is highly unlikely. Students may be prepared to go to college but with the countries present economic state many middle class Americans will not be able to afford to go to college. On the other hand, the goal of closing the achievement gap of students is possible. The goal of my district is the close the achievement gap with in our district and we are closing the gap. NETP suggests that we are clear about our outcomes; collaborate with others; continuously monitor and measure our performances; and hold ourselves accountable. Another way that NETP plans to reach these goals is by using technology to engage students in powerful learning experiences. They would like to use technology to connect students across the globe and allow them to learn from each other. Of course teachers must have appropriate staff development to instruct students effectively.
National Educational Technology Plan: Transforming American Education:Learning Powered by Technology. Retrieved from:
http://www.ed.gov/sites/default/files/NETP-2010-final-report.pdf
