The Question:

 

I always find these topics very interesting and I come back to one thing - Does Technology and Technology Integration help students learn?

What all of us truly need is information, research based of course, that proves we are strongly contributing to the test scores that NCLB has thrust into the lime light. Until we have this proof, our funds will always be up for grabs. NCLB is only the latest excuse. Over the years many excuses to cut Technology budgets have crossed this and other discussion groups. I personally saw or listened as friends watched Technology budgets cut so buses could be purchased, so teachers could get a raise, so loans could be paid off, so that a library could have all its books converted over with summer help, so the math department could buy all new calculators (which they barely used), and much more.

 

So - when they tell me that they need to cut Technology so students will improve academically I think that is the best reason so far. And at that point it is my job to show them that spending the money my way will also help academically or will prevent academic losses.

 

With that in mind I would ask all those with research experience to please find all of us the ammunition we need to protect our funding and perhaps to get more. Otherwise we will sound the same as the rest of the departments who ask for more money all the time.

 

Let us also not forget the NCLB obligations that require Technology. All of us with E-Rate created a Technology Plan that includes many Technology requirements. In addition, I would be remiss if I left out our best supporters - teachers. Take one or two teachers on any campus and give them some new equipment with the latest integration tools and celebrate their successes. It will not take too long before all the teachers on that campus want the same.

 

Well I suppose I should apologize for being tongue-in-cheek and serious at the same time. Still, it would be nice if we did have more ammunition from the researchers.

 

I hope all of you have a great summer planned so that you can relax while awaiting the new school finance system that is going to deliver all the Technology funds we need.

 

Good Day and Good Luck to us all.

 

Dirk D Dykstra

PS - It does good to remind some of the budget cutters about the new TAKS testing being piloted today. The State is clearly moving toward having all the TAKS testing online. Is your district ready? This I will discuss more later.