Tell Congress to Preserve EETT Funding in the FY11 Budget
The fate of FY11 funding for the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) program may be determined as early as next week. When Congress returns to work on November 15th for a very short Lame Duck Session, they will attempt to complete work on all FY11 Appropriations bills, including the bill that funds Department of Education programs and EETT. Even though the House and Senate draft versions of FY11 education spending bills provided $100 million for EETT, the same level as in FY10, these upcoming negotiations on a final bill may result in cuts to EETT or even its outright elimination. We can’t let that happen!
It is critical that we maintain funding for EETT! Failure to fund EETT will undermine investments in school infrastructure and teacher training already made through EETT and hinder efforts to prepare our students to compete in the academic and employment arenas. Email your Congressional members today and ask them to provide EETT with at least $100 million in FY11.
http://capwiz.com/edtech/utr/1/DHVONNHCIE/ANZHNNLYEL/6070000156
I have had four EETT grants in seven schools and know first hand the power and long term impact of these technology grants. PLEASE, I beg you speak up, your school might just be the next place to be funded.
A number of state and national education groups, as well as some technology companies, are lobbying congressional lawmakers to support continued funding in fiscal 2011 for Enhancing Education Through Technology block grants. The Obama administration has proposed folding EETT funding into a broader competitive grant program, which some say would put the country’s largest funding source for educational-technology equipment, support and training in jeopardy. eSchool News
I have written and facilitated 4 of these EETT grants and it would be a huge mistake to eliminate the EETT grants. EETT has done more for growing, improving and increasing technology usage in schools than any other program. If it is “folded” into another program and is just a piece 0f the pie, it will get lost. One of the powerful pieces of EETT is the fct that professional development for the teachers is a key part of the grant. EETT has done good things in our schools. It would just be great if every school could have an EETT grant to get their technology ball rolling.
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) has announced its “Top Ten in ’10″ education technology priorities for the New Year. These priorities offer policy makers and educators a prospective framework for consideration as legislative and funding decisions are made.
States and school districts are seeing a renewed focus on educational improvement in 2010, with high-stakes federal award programs such as Race to the Top (RttT) and Investing in Innovation (i3) and the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act on the horizon.
“No matter what kind of improvement path a state or school district may follow,” says ISTE CEO Don Knezek, “the use of technology in learning and teaching is essential for real and lasting change.”
As policymakers and educators plan for the future, ISTE has identified 10 priorities essential for making good on this commitment in 2010:
- Establish technology in education as the backbone of school improvement. Education technology can serve as a primary driver of excellence in school leadership, student achievement, professional practice, and the culture of learning.
- Leverage education technology as a gateway for college and career readiness. Teachers who effectively integrate technology demonstrate the relevance of 21st century education, and keep more students engaged to graduate.
- Ensure technology expertise is infused throughout our schools and classrooms. We must substantially increase our support for the federal Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) Program.
- Continuously upgrade educators’ classroom technology skills. To be “highly effective,” PK-12 teachers must be able to use the modern information tools, digital content, and assessment strategies that support student learning.
- Invest in preservice education technology. By fully funding programs such as Preparing Teachers for Digital Age Learners (PTDAL), we can ensure that the U.S. produces the most tech-savvy educator workforce in the world.
- Leverage technology to scale improvement. Education technology offers one of the best ways to ramp up school improvement, providing immediate productivity and decision-making tools as well as access to the latest instructional innovations.
- Provide high speed broadband for all. We must provide high-speed bandwidth to our nation’s classrooms through the E-Rate program. Home access to high-speed broadband is critical so that students and parents have access to school assignments, grades, announcements and resources.
- Boost student learning through data and assessment efforts. Real-time data, assessment tools, and richer accountability measures help educators tailor teaching strategies to meet students’ individual needs and bolster their opportunities to succeed in school and beyond.
- Invest in ongoing research and development. Solid investment in education R&D, particularly if focused on innovation in teaching and learning, ensures that we remain a global leader in this strategic domain.
- Promote global digital citizenship. Growing competition in a flat world means technology is a great equalizer. It breaks down artificial barriers to effective teaching and learning, and provides incredible opportunities for collaboration across borders.
“For educators, these issues are paramount to improving the instructional process and boosting achievement for all students,” Knezek says. ”As federal, state, and local policymakers focus on RttT, i3, the FY2011 budget and Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) reauthorization, these issues must form the backbone of the discussion.”
To learn more about ISTE’s Top Ten in ’10, go to www.iste.org/advocacy. For additional comment and conversation, visit our blog, ISTE Connects, at www.isteconnects.org.
About ISTE
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is the premier membership association for educators and education leaders engaged in advancing excellence in learning and teaching through innovative and effective uses of technology. ISTE is the trusted source in education technology for professional development, knowledge generation, advocacy, and leadership for innovation.
ISTE’s annual conference and exposition, formerly the National Educational Computing Conference, is one of the world’s premier educational technology events. ISTE is also home to the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS). The standards deliver a roadmap for global digital-age learning skills for students, teachers, and administrators.
ISTE members include individuals, regional and international affiliate organizations, and corporations. With its affiliate network, ISTE represents more than 100,000 education leaders and emerging leaders throughout the world.
Ed Tech Action and You
Join a growing number of educators across the nation who are “Making Their Voice Heard” in support of education technology. ETAN provides a forum for educators and others to engage in the political process and project a unified voice in support of a common cause – improving teaching and learning through the systemic use of technology. ETAN’s mission is to influence public policy-makers at the federal, state and local levels and to increase public investment in the competitiveness of America’s classrooms and students.
Write Elected Officials: http://www.edtechactionnetwork.org/
