Maine Learning Technology Endowment
By Ed
Gomes
The Legislature has recently established the Maine Learning Technology Endowment (20-A
M.R.S.A. Section 19101), and initially provided $30,000,000 in funding. The purpose of
this endowment is to enable the full integration of appropriate learning technologies for
the state’s elementary and secondary students, and the use of the endowment must be
based on a learning technology plan adopted by the Legislature. The finances will be
managed by the Commissioner of Administrative and Financial Services, and will be invested
by the Maine State Retirement System.
A 16 member Task Force will meet no later than August 31, 2000, and is required to
submit a plan to the Legislature no later than December 15, 2000. This plan will prepare
students for a future economy that will rely heavily on technology and innovation. Based
on a review of the current condition of technology in the classrooms of the State, the
task force shall plan to transform Maine into the premier state for utilizing technology
in kindergarten to grade 12 education. The task force shall:
- Recommend the ongoing structure, governance and oversight of the Maine Learning
Technology Endowment;
Assess the current use of technology in the classrooms of the State;
Assess the current readiness of staff to teach using technology in
the classroom and determine the need for professional development in the integration of
technology in teaching;
Recommend strategy and goals for the integration of technology in the
teaching of content areas and in the achievement of the learning results established in
the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 6209;
Recommend strategy and goals for improving and equalizing access to
and use of technology in all school systems across the State, including state-run schools;
Recommend a phased plan for the implementation of a state learning
technology plan;
Recommend strategies that coordinate the resources and goals of the
Maine Learning Technology Endowment with the Maine School and Library Network and the
telecommunications education access fund established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title
35-A, section 7104-B. These include policies to maximize the capability of all students
and teachers to access the Maine School and Library Network or the Internet;
Coordinate strategies for kindergarten to grade 12 learning
technology with technology initiatives and resources of Maine's public higher education
institutions; and
- Recommend a plan to track and assess progress in the implementation of goals set forth
in the state learning technology plan.
The state learning technology plan funded by the Maine Learning Technology Endowment
must be designed to take effect no later than the start of the 2002-03 school year.
Ed Gomes is the Department of Education Technology Coordinator. He may be reached
with questions by calling 287-5620 or by e-mailing ed.gomes@state.me.us. |
