A National Plan?

The Draft National Educational Technology Plan is not quite as long as the Texas Long-Range Plan, but they borrow heavily from one another. The goals set forth in the draft plan are remarkably similar to those of the long range plan for the state of Texas. A major difference is the quantity of statistics in the National Plan draft, some of which are harrowing:

     “Of students who do graduate from high school, one third are unprepared for postsecondary education, forcing community colleges and four-year colleges and universities to devote precious time and resources to remedial work for incoming students.” (National Center for Education Statistics, 2003).

The draft plan is peppered with edgy new terms such as “collaboratories” –which evokes a scientific (or research-based) opportunity for 21^st learners to collaborate.

     In short, the national plan seeks to close the achievement gap for all learners by raising the number of college graduates from 39% to 60% by 2020.  The report explains relatively the same terms as the Texas plan; teaching, learning, assessment, and infrastructure are the key components.

     Not surprisingly yet conspicuously absent in the draft is clarification on how these lofty goals will be attained, since budget woes have constricted the growth of nearly every district in the state of Texas. If news sources are reliable, these budgetary crises are not limited to the Lone Star State. How then will these goals be funded and by whom? If these goals become mandates, it will be very interesting to see how monies are allocated in order to meet the recommendations of the report. If there are thirty children in my elementary classroom, will I be able to ensure equal access to them all? Will I even be there to lead these 21^st Century learners?