How many years should be covered by the technology plan?
Approved technology plans should cover a period of not more than three years. Long-range planning is important of the effective use of information technology in schools and libraries. This may be particularly important in the case of some lease-purchase arrangements or very large capital investments that require extended commitments. However, in view of the rapid development cycle of new technologies and services, schools and libraries should approach long-term commitments with caution. There may be cases in which an approved plan is longer than three years to conform to federal, state or local requirements. Whenever an approved plan is longer than three years, there should be a significant review of progress during the third year.
Approved Technology Plans should cover a period of not more than three years. In view of the rapid development cycle of new technologies and services, schools and libraries should approach long-term commitments with caution, and a three year planning cycle is appropriate under these circumstances. All approved plans should include provisions for evaluating progress toward the plans goals, and ideally these assessments should occur on an annual basis. In the case of State Education Agency plans, State Library plans, and some other plans that may be longer than three years to conform to federal or state requirements, there should be a significant review of progress during the third year.
