As Texas Goes, So Goes the Nation

In 2006 the Texas Education Agency sent a report to the 80th Texas Legislature outlining the Agency’s vision of the future of education in Texas. That year Legislators and Educators alike were introduced to “The Long-Range Plan for Technology 2006-2020”, and a major change in the way Texans viewed education was under way.


Educational leaders called on stakeholders to change the very way that they view public education. The traditional boundaries of education will soon be changed, beginning with the school year,  and the ages at which students attend school. Technology TEKS have been established for students beginning with kindergarten progressing through the primary years requiring them to demonstrate that they are technologically literate and are able to acquire information, solve problems, and communicate using technology.

Educational professionals face a number of changes too. Seasoned teachers must master the same standards that are currently being mandated for all new teachers. This is likely to cause some teachers to consider whether or not they want to continue in the profession.

The educational model of the future, while still unsure, will likely look something like this. Students will engage the curriculum, not in the conventional classroom of same aged peers, but as learners sharing the same competencies, pursuing new skills. The teacher will act as a facilitator and mentor while directing the students as they work to acquire new skills at their own pace. When the learner has accomplished his objectives, he will move on to the next level. Students will interact with the teacher and each other through digital communications and will collaborate with others in cross curriculum projects, using original research while acquiring knowledge and developing critical thinking skills. Ubiquitous, anywhere, anytime digital broadband access to information and communication will be the rule, regardless of age, socioeconomic constraints or geographical location.

Not only will schools be without walls, but also without rigorous schedules. As location becomes unimportant, education will happen anywhere, anytime. Technical support will also be omni-available to all stakeholders. No matter where you look you can see that education is taking a giant step forward.