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.
Thursday, June 08, 2006
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.
Friday, June 02, 2006
$5M of Infrastructure Money is not part of the June 9th Bond Commission's agenda
There is another meeting scheduled for June 30th. Cross your fingers.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Important message from ISTE
ACTION ALERT
Please send a letter, fax or make a phone call to your Congressional Representative and ask that he/she support funding the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) program at $496 million for FY 07. This amount will restore the program to its FY 05 funding level.
ISTE has made it easy for you to send your letter or fax—it only takes a couple minutes! Go to the Ed Tech Action Network (http://www.edtechactionnetwork.org) where you can identify your congressional representative by your zip code and find a draft letter to personalize and send!
CURRENT STATUS
The House subcommittee that allocates funds for all programs at the U.S. Department of Education plans to make its funding recommendations known on June 6. It is crucial that members of congress hear from their constituents NOW about how important EETT is to their districts, schools, students and communities. Your voice must be heard to influence the final funding outcome!
ISTE has been leading the education community’s efforts by holding meetings with key congressional staff from both parties and developing a strong D.C. coalition in support of EETT. In all, 29 education and industry organizations and companies signed onto a letter of support for EETT that was sent to Congress (MCC House Ed Tech Support Letter). This letter demonstrates the diversity and depth of support for the program.
However, these D.C.-based efforts are not enough. Members of Congress want to hear directly from their constituents. They'll only believe EETT is a pressing funding issue if they hear so from you!
Last year we were able to stave off the elimination of the EETT program by a concerted partnership between ISTE’s DC advocacy efforts and the ISTE membership. We need to engage in this battle once again, as the President’s budget proposes to eliminate EETT program funding for FY 07.
Please send a letter, fax or make a phone call to your Congressional Representative and ask that he/she support funding the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) program at $496 million for FY 07. This amount will restore the program to its FY 05 funding level.
ISTE has made it easy for you to send your letter or fax—it only takes a couple minutes! Go to the Ed Tech Action Network (http://www.edtechactionnetwork.org) where you can identify your congressional representative by your zip code and find a draft letter to personalize and send!
CURRENT STATUS
The House subcommittee that allocates funds for all programs at the U.S. Department of Education plans to make its funding recommendations known on June 6. It is crucial that members of congress hear from their constituents NOW about how important EETT is to their districts, schools, students and communities. Your voice must be heard to influence the final funding outcome!
ISTE has been leading the education community’s efforts by holding meetings with key congressional staff from both parties and developing a strong D.C. coalition in support of EETT. In all, 29 education and industry organizations and companies signed onto a letter of support for EETT that was sent to Congress (MCC House Ed Tech Support Letter). This letter demonstrates the diversity and depth of support for the program.
However, these D.C.-based efforts are not enough. Members of Congress want to hear directly from their constituents. They'll only believe EETT is a pressing funding issue if they hear so from you!
Last year we were able to stave off the elimination of the EETT program by a concerted partnership between ISTE’s DC advocacy efforts and the ISTE membership. We need to engage in this battle once again, as the President’s budget proposes to eliminate EETT program funding for FY 07.
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