National Educational Technology Plan Executive Summary Draft

Technology is the key to enhancing the learning of the modern student. This is a national priority as the status of the United States' educational system has begun a steady decline compared to other nations. The Obama administration has set two clear goals for the overall educational system in this country.
• [To] raise the proportion of college graduates from where it now stands [39%] so that 60% of [the] population holds a 2-year or 4-year degree.
• [To] close the achievement gap so that all students – regardless of race, income, or neighborhood – graduate from high school ready to succeed in college and careers.
In order to meet these goals the nationa must embrace a technology-enhanced curriculuar model that supports learning across the curriculum with specific focus on SMET studies, (Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology.)
In order to make these visions a reality the National Plan focuses on multiple areas of advancement. One such area is student learning. The plan notes that, "All learners will have engaging and empowering learning experiences both in and outside of school that prepare them to be active, creative, knowledgeable, and ethical participants in our globally networked society." To achieve this goal work should involve redevelopment of standards to integrate and rely heavily on 21st Century skills, integration of new learning designs to support the latest research in individual learners, use technology to develop right-on-time learner support, and use advances in technology and best practice to support success for all students in STEM courses.
Another area where support and growth will be needed is in professional development for educators and support staff. Areas of development for staff include support in acquiring new assessment technologies and the ability to incorporate them into classes, connect teachers individually and in teams to all data relevant to enhancing their content, instruction and support of individual students, supporting online and lifelong learning communities to offer just-in-time professional development and instruction for all teachers, support pre-service and in-service educators with the latest in educational technology tools to enhance instruction and assessment, and to develop a teaching force skilled in online instruction.
These areas are among the chief priorities for the nation's educational technology plan as the United States moves to incorporate 21st Century skills in a meaningful way. Only through the purposeful application of technology can students in our nations schools be given the opportunities that will drive them to the forefront of the global competitive economy.
The goals in this plan are lofty and meeting them will be beneficial, however the nation must ensure that the focus on SMET courses does not make us weak in other areas such as Language Arts, Social Studies and other Arts, as well as in vocational applications. Any plan that focuses solely on one part of an educational program can come to do damage if the other areas are not supported as well. So long as the focus on SMET courses are in addition to technology support and instruction across the board, the plan is solid and has validity.