Minnesota Department of Education

1
Minnesota Department of Education

• National, State, and School District Technology
  Plans
• TIES Conference
• November 2003
• Mary Mehsikomer, Project Planner Senior
• Minnesota Department of Education

2
National Education Technology Plan

• NCLB charges the U.S. Department of Education
  with developing a National Technology Plan.
• The National Education Technology Plan is being
  developed to establish long-range national
  strategy and guide for using technology
  effectively to improve academic achievement.

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National Education Technology Plan

• Will be student-focused and based on the need to
  prepare students for the 21st century.
• Will reflect on national progress relating to
  technology investment in schools.
• Participation is welcome. Web site is
  established for public feedback.
• MDE has provided feedback through CoSN and SETDA
  meetings.

4
National Education Technology Plan

• Visit web site at http//www.nationaledtechplan.o
  rg to learn more.
• Feedback can be provided by writing to
  feedback_at_NationalEdTechPlan.org

5
Reports

• Two important national-level reports have been
  produced that are worth reviewing
• A Retrospective of Twenty Years of Education
  Technology Policy available at
  http//nationaledtechplan.org.
• Learning for the 21st Century and MILE Self
  Assessment. More information available at
  http//www.21stcenturyskills.org.

6
State Plan for Technology in Pre-K 12 Education

• Effort began in Summer 2001.
• State Task Force (45 members) was formed.
• Chaired by Dr. Barbara Devlin, Superintendent,
  Richfield.
• Four Focus Groups were created focusing on
  Teaching and Learning, Educator Preparation and
  Staff Development,

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State Plan for Technology in Pre-K 12 Education

• Technology Infrastructure, and School
  Administration.
• Each Focus Group produced a report focusing on
  foundational concepts and recommendations in
  these areas.
• These Focus Group reports, along with additional
  input from the Expert Work Groups from the
  Digital Learning Plan project, provide the basis
  for the plan.

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State Plan for Technology in Pre-K 12 Education

• What are some of the issues that have arisen
  since we started work on a state plan?
• Digital Learning Plan
• 21st Century Skills Partnership
• No Child Left Behind
• National Technology Plan
• Administration Change

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State Plan for Technology in Pre-K 12 Education

• Budget reductions and staffing cuts at school
  districts and MDE.
• Increased awareness of issues facing school media
  centers.
• Passage of the On-Line Learning Act.
• What happens next?
• Draft plan will be completed and shared with
  original Task Force members and others for
  comment.

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State Plan for Technology in Pre-K-12 Education

• 21st Century Skills Report, Digital Learning
  Plan, and other documents will be reviewed and
  components reflected within the State Technology
  Plan as appropriate.
• The plan will not be final but will be an
  evolving document.
• The State Technology Plan will serve as a guide
  for developing technology initiatives.
• Are you interested in offering feedback on the
  State Plan for Technology in Pre-K12 Education?

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Digital Learning Plan

• Partnership between Minnesota Department of
  Administration (Office of Technology), University
  of Minnesota, MNSCU, and Department of Education.
  
• Broader scope than State Plan for Technology in
  Pre-K 12 Education.
• Digital Learning Plan and State Plan for
  Technology in Pre-K 12 Education are separate,
  but complementary planning efforts.

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Digital Learning Plan

• Represents a collaborative effort to review
  current status of technology enhanced education
  and outline a direction that will best leverage
  resources and improve learning to serve the
  citizens of the state.
• Encompasses higher education, pre-K 12
  education and libraries.
• Attend Cathy DeMolls session on the Digital
  Learning Plan to learn more.

13
School District Technology Plans

• Three-year technology plans encompassing criteria
  identified by the federal government are required
  for eligibility for E-rates and Title II Part D
  (Enhancing Education Through Technology Program)
  of NCLB.
• Current plan approvals for plans submitted in
  2001 are good through July 1, 2004.
• New three-year plans need to be submitted for the
  period of July 1, 2004 June 30, 2007.

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School District Technology Plans

• The Technology Planning Guide is under revision
  and will be released shortly.
• The new guide will streamline the criteria,
  emphasize the policy requirements for CIPA, NCLB,
  and other federal requirements.
• The new guide will contain a section relating to
  the role of media centers in student achievement.
• New plans will be accepted for review from school
  districts, nonpublic schools, and public
  libraries beginning March 1, 2004.