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

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.

National Education Technology Plan Will be student-focused and based on the need to prepare students for the 21 st 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.

National Education Technology Plan Visit web site at to learn more. Feedback can be provided by writing to

Reports Two important national-level reports have been produced that are worth reviewing: –“A Retrospective of Twenty Years of Education Technology Policy” available at –Learning for the 21 st Century and MILE Self Assessment. More information available at

State Plan for Technology in Pre- K – 12 Education Effort began in Summer 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,

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.

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 –21 st Century Skills Partnership –No Child Left Behind –National Technology Plan –Administration Change

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.

State Plan for Technology in Pre- K-12 Education 21 st 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?

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.

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 DeMoll’s session on the Digital Learning Plan to learn more.

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, New three-year plans need to be submitted for the period of July 1, 2004 – June 30, 2007.

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.