Texas LRPT Obtainable?

WOW! What a document? The 2008 Progress Report on the Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 is an all encompassing document that gives information on the accomplishments of the Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology. This report shows the various categories of technological advances that are recommended. What I find interesting is the letter from the Commissioner of Education in 2010 is almost verbatim word for word to the letter from the same commissioner in 2008. I also find it interesting that in both instances the commissioner states that the plan is obtainable. It is reasonable to say that yes when the plan was written, it was obtainable. Also, it is accessible with the financial support of the Texas legislature and the federal government. However, EdWeek Update, March 3, 2011 email newsletter stated that the stopgap spending bill severed about $160 million in federal funding from an array of education programs. It is also anticipated that more federal government education cuts are to come. Some of these cuts may or may not be programs that are funded technology or technology resources. This does not include the cuts from the state legislature to which the state commissioner of education states that the long-range plan for Texas is viable and obtainable. Maybe he’s looking at a budget that includes a number similar to TPM…an imaginary number. Until as Texans we demand that our state invests in our most important resource, our children, and invest in them now, we will pay for it in our future.