ED Updates Technology Plan

The U.S. Department of Education has released the 2024 National Educational Technology Plan (NETP), titled A Call to Action for Closing the Digital Access, Design, and Use Divides. Unlike previous iterations which primarily surveyed the field, this plan identifies three key divides hindering the transformative potential of educational technology: the Digital Use Divide, the Digital Design Divide, and the Digital Access Divide. The 2024 NETP links each divide to the "instructional core" (students, teachers, content) and outlines strategies for schools, districts, and states to leverage educational technology in designing learning experiences that improve student access to educational opportunities and outcomes. It offers actionable recommendations for stakeholders at various levels, supplemented by examples from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several Territories, aimed at addressing technology-related disparities and bridging the identified divides. The NETP has redefined the Digital Use Divide to focus on enhancing how students utilize technology for learning purposes, including dynamic applications for exploring, creating, and critically analyzing academic content and knowledge. The Digital Use Divide portion of the plan devotes an entire section to Universal Design for Learning (UDL), framing active use for all learners.

Read the full plan here.