Friday, June 09, 2006

Another study indicating a strong correlation between LMS and student achievement

A new Wisconsin study indicates that there is a strong correlation between schools that use library-media specialists effectively and student academic performance. Of course this is not a surprise. We know and have seen time and time again that the LMS has the power to effectively integrate technology/information literacy/appropriate study skills across the curriculum.

Read the study: http://dpi.wi.gov/imt/pdf/finallmssurvey06.pdf

Thanks to Jeri Van Leer for alerting us to the study.

Thursday, June 08, 2006

SETDA Dismayed by House’s Action to Abandon Technology in Schools

House vote devastates efforts to maximize student achievement and improve America’s competitiveness by eliminating Enhancing Education through Technology (NCLB Title II, Part D)

Arlington, Virginia (June 7, 2006) – The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) today urged the House Appropriations Committee to fill the gaping hole left by the House Labor, HHS, & Education Subcommittee’s decision to eliminate the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) program in FY 2007.

“We understand tough decisions must be made in the Appropriations process, but eliminating EETT shows a gross misunderstanding of how critical this funding is for schools. EETT’s activities have led to demonstrated, measurable improvements in student achievement in Math, Science, and Reading. Moreover, schools have used EETT funding to purchase data systems that are critical to fulfill NCLB’s accountability requirements and to close the achievement gap,” said SETDA’s Executive Director, Mary Ann Wolf, PhD. “As the nation gears up to be more competitive, it makes no sense to cut a program that provides teachers and students with the technology resources that are improving teaching and learning and allowing our nation to compete effectively in the 21st century workforce.”

SETDA calls upon the Full Appropriations Committee to level fund the EETT program at $275 million in 2007 (at minimum), which represents a 61% cut from 2004 funding level of $696 million. The House Appropriations Committee must reject the notion that the job of technologically outfitting our schools is done, particularly since many schools still lack that appropriate technology systems to: 1) report and address the progress of every child, 2) close the achievement gap, 3) improve teacher quality, and 4) provide rigorous instruction to all students.

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

Commission for Educational Technology (CET) Request for Bids for Educational Technology Applications

The Commission's Request for Bids for Educational Technology Applications and Resources was released by DOIT on June 6, 2006. This should result in statewide pricing that is better than districts currently get for many of the software and online applications they currently use or would like to use. The Bid Request is posted on the Web- http://www.ct.gov/doit/lib/doit/purchase/sealbid/ITB06ITZ0058.pdf.