Future of technology in middle schools

This article titled Last Hired, First Fired that was a RSS feed from Teacher magazine, raises some great points. It talks about the pros and cons of the " list" . Below is my personal experience with the " list"

As this school year comes to end, I must confess it has been one of the most stressful years i have experienced in a long time. This has nothing to do with my students but with my job security. I found out that my principal had recommended that they cut a technology position at my school. We have three technology teachers, one for each grade. I have the lowest seniority of the three.

Now I certainly understand that with budget cuts schools are making difficult cuts to meet their budgets. I have been a victim of cuts when Plymouth decided to end technology classes in their middle schools. More and more schools are doing this. It is my opinion that they feel the kids will pick up these skills on their own.

What I do not understand is why technology. Educational technology is always being stressed at every level of assessment. Technology is the future and if our kids are behind in this field they will find it difficult in the job market. These day what job does not use some form of technology?

Now I know that since technology is not a focus of MCAS, then it is not considered an essential class. But do administrators really believe that?

I know that all educators feel that their class is just as important as another. The middle school philosophy is to give students many different classes to help them find an area that they may choose to continue to follow at a higher level.

Luckily my job was saved( for now) thanks to the state not cutting as much of the aide to the town as first projected. But I think being on the cutting block is my future and the future of technology education at many school. Sad!