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