Technology Planning-USAC

From the School and Library division of USAC

Telecommunication networks and Internet access can transform our schools and libraries into information age learning centers. No matter where a school may be, its teachers and students can use information technology to tap into the world's knowledge bank. They can work with scientists and scholars near and far to explore exciting topics in science, current events, history, languages, or the arts, and they can share the findings of their own real-world research with peers around the globe. Libraries in every region of the country can use these same technologies to become true community gateways to the resources all Americans need for responsible citizenship and productive work in the 21st Century.

But, as powerful as they are, modern computers and telecommunication networks alone will not be enough to improve learning. Educators and librarians must begin with a clear vision of how these tools can be linked with strong professional development strategies, new curriculum content, and enhanced services to improve schools and libraries. Careful planning and sound operational strategies will ensure that school and library investments in information technology pay off in significant education and library service advancements.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recognized the necessity of thoughtful preparations for the use of these new technologies when they stipulated that requests for Universal Service Program discounts must be based on an approved technology plan [Section 254(h)(1)(B), of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and FCC Order 97-157, Paragraph 573]. To ensure that schools and libraries are prepared to use the requested services effectively, and to make certain that students and community members experience the real benefits of the Universal Service Program, applicants must certify that their requests are based on approved technology plans that include provisions for integrating telecommunication services and Internet access into their educational program or library services. Many schools and libraries are already engaged in the development and refinement of such plans. To qualify as an approved Technology Plan for a Universal Service discount, the plan must meet the following five criteria that are core elements of successful school and library technology initiatives:

1. The plan must establish clear goals and a realistic strategy for using telecommunications and information technology to improve education or library services
2. The plan must have a professional development strategy to ensure that staff know how to use these new technologies to improve education or library services
3. The plan must include an assessment of the telecommunication services, hardware, software, and other services that will be needed to improve education or library services
4. The plan must provide for a sufficient budget to acquire and maintain the hardware, software, professional development, and other services that will be needed to implement the strategy
5. The plan must include an evaluation process that enables the school or library to monitor progress toward the specified goals and make mid-course corrections in response to new developments and opportunities as they arise.

Successful plans align these five criteria with the overall education or library service improvement objectives of states, districts, and local schools or libraries. It is critical that technology planning not be viewed or treated as a separate exercise dealing primarily with hardware and telecommunications infrastructure. There must be strong connections between the proposed physical infrastructure of the information technology and the plan for professional development, curriculum reform, and library service improvements.