Class of 2020 Action Plan for Education

SETDA (State Educational Technology Directors Association) recently published a series of white papers called "Class of 2020: Action Plan for Education" that focuses on topics relevant to the use of technology in schools. The following paragraphs from this series may be useful in our work with school leaders:

Student Bill of Rights

I. Each student has the right to feel safe in and proud of a school.

II. Each student deserves an engaging educational experience that provides opportunities for learning and for the future, including the acquisition of 21st Century Skills required for the global workforce.

III. Each student deserves to have highly qualified and effective teachers that have the necessary support in terms of resources, professional development, planninhg time, and leadership.

IV. Each student deserves an individualized learning experience addressing his/her abilities, strengths, weaknesses.

V. Each student has a right to the tools, technology, and resources needed for developing life-long learners and creators of knowledge.

Action Steps To Support Our Students

1. Ensure that technology tools and resources are used continuously and seamlessly for instruction, collaboration and assessment.

2. Expose ALL students (Pre-K through 12) to STEM fields and careers.

3. Make ongoing, sustainable professional development available to all teachers.

4. Utilize virtual learning opportunities for teachers to further their professional development, such as online communities and education portals.

5. Incorporate innovative, consistent and timely assessments into daily instruction.

6. Strengthen the home and school connection by using technology to communicate with parents on student progress.

7. Provide the necessary resources so that every community has the infrastructure to support learning with technology, including assessments and virtual learning.

8. Obtain societal support for education that utilizes technology from all stakeholders--students, parents, teachers, state and district administrators, business leaders, legislators and local communities.

9. Provide federal leadership to support states and districts regarding technology's role in school reform by passing the ATTAIN Act.

10. Increase available funding for E-rate so that school districts and schools can acquire telecommunication services, Internet access, internal connections and maintenance of those connections.

For additional information on topics highlighted in the Class of 2020 Action Plan visit SETDA's Class of 2020 Website at http://www.setda.org/2020.