Consistent and adequate funding
Ongoing funding to support technology infrastructure, personnel, digital resources and staff development
What is it?
To ensure consistent and adequate funding for a technology initiative, administrators need to develop a strategic plan for acquiring funding and using it to support all aspects of the program. It’s not enough to merely purchase hardware and software. The budget should also allow for ongoing maintenance, updates, system support and professional development to support the implementation and use of the technology — an area that’s often overlooked during budget planning.
Why is it important?
An insufficiently funded technology initiative will eventually fizzle and fail. While it may be tempting to seize the latest tool or device, strategic budgeting prompts leaders to carefully weigh all available options and select the most cost-effective tool for achieving the program’s goals — whether that means, for example, purchasing digital books or allowing students to use their own devices. When leaders carefully consider costs during the planning stage, they are in a better position to launch and sustain a robust integration plan that meets the ISTE Standards and fully harness the power of technology to enhance learning.
What does it look like?
Most schools or districts face tremendous budget challenges. Moving to a standards-ready system requires vision and planning tempered by the realities of a limited budget.
What constitutes consistent and adequate funding can vary depending on the system. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Many districts receive local support from their communities or seek public or private grants, sponsorships, or public-private collaborations. Regardless of the source, consistent and adequate funding allows leaders to maintain the technology and infrastructure while ensuring teachers are trained to use it to its fullest capacity for learning and teaching.