A K-12 Superintendent's Perspective

A K-12 Superintendent's Perspective
Dr. George Garcia
Elizabeth M. Whitaker
January 16, 1996

Arizona's schools must provide an education which will develop students who become effective citizens in the 21st Century. Several factors are necessary to establish this high quality of education: partnerships with businesses, close connections with homes, effective management, competent teachers, reforms in the way we provide instruction, and adequate funding. Arizona's schools should lead the nation in the effective use of new methods and tools as they become available.

There is agreement that technology can be one method to improve K-12 educational opportunitiesi. Parents are wanting their children to have access to the Internet. Businesses are wanting graduates who have a high level of technological skills. Government is calling for Internet access in every classroom. Economic planners indicate that locations with a technologically literate work force will draw clean, higher-wage industries. And, finally, many teachers feel that their students are missing current information if they cannot access the Internet and itsi resources.

Schools in Arizona vary in their response to the demand for technology. A few districts have been able to get local voters to pass bond issues to acquire technology and infrastructure, but are quickly swamped with the need for upgrades to keep current. Others have not been successful in obtaining any substantial funding. Many could do nothing with wiring for Internet access to each classroom because they don't even have a computer in each classroom to attach to the wiring. All districts are struggling with the need for teacher training and support to make effective use of what technology they can acquire and to keep it functioning.

Technology has been touted as being able to bring about educational reform. The truth is that many other elements of educational reform can be made more effective through the use of technology, but technology does not stand alone to create reform. School districts are constantly trying to bring the "hype" and the reality together to create learning environments that produce the desired result--motivated students who can demonstrate a high level of achievement and have the skills to be effective citizens. State-wide access to technology resources and planning information can assist districts in their efforts to improve education.

Consistent and equitable funding across all the districts in Arizona will provide the access to technology, the physical infrastructures, and the people infrastructures to make the promises of technology a reality for all Arizona students. Arizona must find a way to get technology-poor districts started and keep those who have been able to acquire some technology from letting their technology fall into obsolescence and disuse because of a lack of upgrades, training and support. With appropriate resources, Arizona schools will be able to produce graduates in the 21^st Century who will make the state prosper.

George Garcia, Superintendent
520-617-7233
Elizabeth M. Whitaker, Coordinator for Instructional Technology
520-617-7229  lizwhit@azstarnet.com
Tucson Unified School District
1010 E. Tenth Street
Tucson, AZ 85719