Over the last 4.5 years, it has become clear that the Campus Enhancement Program just isn't working well enough. Campuses consistently lack access to hardware--such as digital projectors, computers, and laser printers. Yet, under current budget constraints, it is difficult to get funding. In spite of that, it is important to articulate a plan for where we need to be, and how we might get there. I've submitted an executive summary that will...

Every classroom in SAISD will have a ceiling-mounted digital projector connected to a multimedia, Internet-capable computer. A 21st Century infrastructure is required to provide a quality education to all students. Research demonstrates that children prefer to learn in a visual world and like to have information at their fingertips. One of the recommendations of the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology 2006-2020 is that school districts provide access to digital instructional tools that meet interoperability and data accessibility standards for instruction.

Quality digital projectors can provide that level of access for instruction. Expectations for students include the following:

1.Students beginning in kindergarten must master the State Technology Applications Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TA:TEKS) and demonstrate that they are technology literate with the needed proficiencies to acquire information, solve problems, and communicate using technology.

Without the critical infrastructure to project the use of computer screens to a larger audience in the classroom, students are limited to traditional, obsolete blackboards/whiteboards.

2.Delivery of instructional materials through computer networks is expected to increase with increased connectivity at the classroom level and increased access to computers by students and teachers. Without infrastructure in place to project the work being done on the computers, students may well as be in a one-room schoolhouse.

3. The use of electronic textbooks is on the rise and display of the electronic textbook—such as those already adopted for the Technology Applications:TEKS—require a digital projection device. Projection of electronic textbooks will become commonplace in Texas schools, including San Antonio ISD.