US/ND-4: Mandated Plans
Mandated Plans
Preuss, Paul (PPREUSS@Herkimer-BOCES.moric.org)
Tue, 17 Sep 1996 09:49:55 +5 EST
Sorry - I just couldn't resist responding to the recent comments on
the requirement (mandate) for school technology plans. IMO both
sides have made valid points. The decision rests upon what method
will result in the least waste.
Peer review of plans is a great idea. How will it be organized?
Who will be the peers? What group shall we endorse as the gate
keeper to the Internet and what is their agenda?
Who will check to see if the plan is implemented once approved?
So a school gets its plan through the gate - perhaps by copying
a plan already approved - now what?
It seems to me that whatever route is taken - the responsible
implementation of Internet connectivity rests in the hands of leaders
at the building, or perhaps district, level.
I would rather risk a certain number of ill conceived ventures -
which even if they had an approved plan would probably be incorrectly
implemented - then spending the $, time and energy to require
everyone to submit a required plan.
If one is really into plans - why stop at a technology plan? The
tech plan is useless if it is not tied to the school's strategic plan
or school improvement plan. Ultimately the tech plan must be tied
into the documented improvement of student achievement - otherwise
why do it? A technology plan in and of itself is not sufficient
because it is an isolated artifact not related to the "system" of
learning.
Again - while the advocates for a technology plan have made many
valid points - when I weigh the overall benefits compared with the
cost in $, time and human energy - I must favor a system which does
not require mandated tech plans and a system of approvals and checks.
How heavy does the superstructure of a ship have to be before it
tips over of its own weight? I think that is what we are discussing.
Paul Preuss
PPreuss@Herkimer-BOCES.moric.org
Phone: 315 867 2007 FAX: 315 867 2024