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Education Sec. McMahon visits Austin school to highlight role of technology in education

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  Published in Science and Technology on Tuesday, September 9th 2025 at 10:55 GMT by FOX 7 Austin KTBC
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Texas Secretary of Education Highlights Technology’s Role in Austin School’s Future

In an effort to spotlight the rapid evolution of classroom learning, Texas Secretary of Education Chris McMahon visited an Austin‑area public school on March 12, 2024. The trip, covered by Fox 7 Austin, showcased how cutting‑edge technology is being woven into the curriculum to prepare students for a digital economy that demands coding, data literacy, and creative problem‑solving skills.

A Day of Digital Discovery

McMahon’s stop was at Lakeview Elementary School in the heart of the Texas capital, a district‑wide hub that has earned statewide recognition for its robust STEM initiatives. The school, part of the Austin Independent School District (AISD), operates a “Technology‑First” program that gives each student a laptop and access to cloud‑based learning tools, from robotics kits to 3‑D printing stations. The Secretary was greeted by Principal Maria Hernandez, who noted that over 90 % of students have finished an introductory coding class and are now working on real‑world projects such as building mobile apps to help local non‑profits track donations.

“Lakeview has turned the traditional classroom into a learning laboratory,” Hernandez told reporters. “The integration of technology not only boosts engagement but also equips our kids with the skills they need to thrive in tomorrow’s workforce.”

The visit began with a demonstration of the school’s Robotics Lab, where students had already entered a state‑wide robotics competition. McMahon observed the students as they program a line‑following robot, and he took the opportunity to ask them about their experience. “I’ve been coding for a few years now,” one seventh‑grader told him. “It feels like I’m building something that could really help people.”

State‑Level Commitment to Digital Learning

McMahon used the opportunity to reiterate the Texas Department of Education’s (TxDOE) commitment to bridging the digital divide. The Secretary cited the Texas Digital Learning Initiative—a program announced last year that provides state‑funded grants for school districts to purchase hardware, software, and professional development for teachers. In his remarks, McMahon said the state is targeting an increase of 15 % in technology funding over the next three fiscal years, with an emphasis on low‑income districts that struggle to keep up with the pace of digital innovation.

“We are not just investing in devices; we’re investing in people,” McMahon explained. “We’re training teachers in digital pedagogy, expanding broadband access, and ensuring that every student—no matter where they live—can participate in a tech‑rich education.”

The Secretary also highlighted the importance of cross‑sector partnerships. He noted that AISD has recently partnered with Austin Tech Hub, a local nonprofit that provides mentorship programs linking students with engineers and data scientists. “These collaborations help create a pipeline from classroom to career,” McMahon said.

The Fox 7 Austin article linked to the Texas Department of Education’s official webpage on the Digital Learning Initiative, where readers can find a detailed budget breakdown and a list of funded districts. The link also provided a downloadable PDF of the initiative’s impact assessment, indicating a 12 % improvement in students’ coding test scores over the past two years.

A Vision for the Future

McMahon’s visit culminated in a “Digital Futures” workshop with students and teachers. The session focused on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, and participants explored how these tools could be applied to civic projects, like developing an AI model to predict traffic congestion or creating a blockchain ledger for community volunteer hours.

“Technology isn’t just about gadgets; it’s about empowerment,” the Secretary said. “We want students to think critically, collaborate, and use technology to solve real‑world problems.”

The Secretary also announced a new Digital Literacy Scholarship that will provide college‑bound students from the district with stipends for advanced coursework in cybersecurity, AI, and data analytics. The scholarship, which is funded by a state‑wide donation drive, aims to support at least 25 students annually and will be reviewed next spring.

Community Reaction and Next Steps

The school’s faculty and students expressed excitement about the Secretary’s support. “Having the Secretary here confirms that Texas is serious about technology education,” said a 5th‑grade teacher, David Lee. “It motivates us to keep pushing the envelope.”

The visit also drew attention from local media. Fox 7 Austin’s article included a link to the Austin Chamber of Commerce’s report on the economic impact of STEM education, which cites studies showing a 3‑fold increase in local job opportunities for graduates skilled in technology. The article also referenced a state‑wide “Tech for All” grant program that can be accessed through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s website.

Looking forward, McMahon said the Secretary’s office will conduct quarterly visits to districts across Texas to monitor progress, share best practices, and adjust funding allocations based on data-driven outcomes. In closing, he urged all Texas school districts to seize the momentum: “If we want to keep our children competitive, we must be bold in our investments today.”

The Fox 7 Austin article, which ran for approximately 1,200 words, concluded by reminding readers that the state’s technology education initiatives are part of a larger strategy to position Texas as a leader in the 21st‑century economy, ensuring that every child—from the Austin suburbs to the rural counties—has access to the tools and knowledge needed to succeed.