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State Representative Ryan Winkler
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-7026
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
Column/LTE
MODERNIZING SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY
This spring, students statewide will plug-in to a new online science test – the first of its kind in Minnesota. The test is capable of gauging student outcomes and pinpointing areas of needed improvement. This new method of online testing offers an innovative approach of measuring accountability in education for teachers, students, and parents – it truly represents the future of student assessments. The problem is, most Minnesota schools do not have the technology platform from which these new tests can take off.
Adopting the new online science test for 200,000 students has revealed major technology gaps. Many schools are expecting problems on test-day. Others have decided to transport their students to other schools with better technology resources because their own computer labs are either out-of-date or out-of-commission.
The technology challenges that schools face result from a patchwork of technology funding sources, and a failure to provide a statewide vision of how technology can improve student achievement. No child should be forced to leave a Minnesota school to find a computer that works.
That's why the Minnesota Legislature is partnering with Minnesota school districts and the Governor's Department of Education to prioritize technology spending, and identify and fill technology gaps. This new partnership will help schools keep up with a rapidly changing technology economy, and give Minnesota's future workforce a competitive edge.
Our plan would streamline technology improvements in schools statewide, create new standards for more efficient online student testing measures, and develop a more effective, technology-integrated learning curriculum for all Minnesota students.
In addition to technology improvements in the classroom, this new technology development plan would increase efforts to involve parents and guardians in student growth and achievement. It would improve an already successful online tool that helps parents track student grades, behavior, and more. By getting parents linked-in, student achievement will benefit tremendously.
To provide better services and lower costs in the long-term, our plan also focuses on modernizing administrative technology across the board. By putting all Minnesota school districts on an equal and innovative technological playing field, students and taxpayers alike would benefit from a more effective, secure, and systematic approach to keeping student records and tracking student achievement.
As business people, we know that standing still in technology investments means falling behind. By establishing a technology vision for Minnesota schools, and providing the resources to fill the gaps, state government will serve as an effective partner with local school districts, students and parents to deliver better student achievement and more value for taxpayer dollars. That's how we can chart a responsible course to benefit today's students and tomorrow's economy.
Terri Bonoff
State Senator
Senate District 43
Ryan Winkler
State Representative
House District 44B
News Items
- Statement on Budget Forecast - (Posted: 2012-12-05 00:00:00)
- Statement on Final I-35 W Bridge Settlement - (Posted: 2012-11-13 00:00:00)
- Rep. Winkler: Tea Party Activists Can’t Be Trusted to Reform Our Elections - (Posted: 2012-11-01 00:00:00)
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