March, 2008

Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) needs you now!

By Nancy Kelley, Education Editor

Regardless of where you stand politically, it’s clear that if you are reading this you care about kids and technology.  If that’s true, then, prepare to act.   First, review an exceedingly brief history lesson:  In 2001 No Child Left Behind (NCLB) mandated (among other things) tech literacy for all children. That goal was to be aided by a  2001 federal EETT program designed : “ to assist every student in crossing the digital divide by ensuring that every student is technologically literate by the time the student finishes the eighth grade, regardless of the student’s race, ethnicity, gender, family income geographic location or disability.”  (www.aeal.k12.us/technology/techliteracy).  EETT has been actively serving that goal—unfortunately with ever-diminishing funds.  In fact, EETT funding has declined “…fairly consistently over the years, from $696 million in 2004 to $267.5 million in 2008.” (http://thejournal.com/articles/21975). 

Now EETT—and remember that’s means enhancing education through technology-- is again on the chopping block. The current proposal is to cut the funds to zero, yes ZERO, goose eggs, nothing!   Sounds crazy?  Can the government simultaneously mandate more ed tech and give less funding (or zero) for it?  Do the budget cutters have their technology ‘thinking-caps” on?   Rhetorical questions we hope.

Here’s the action step:   Tell your political leaders to insist upon an allocation that restores EETT funds—minimally!-- to the amount appropriated in 2005, namely, $496 million.  How do you reach them? Ready-made letters abound on various tech websites and once you access the site and insert your zip code the appropriate congressional recipient names are selected.  Then, all that’s needed is a signature!   As the letter below informs, this program is an imperative!  If you’d like to send the one written below go to: http://capwiz.com/edtech/mailapp/. 

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear ________

As Congress begins its FY ’09 Appropriations cycle, I strongly urge you to oppose the Administration’s budget proposal to eliminate funding in FY ’09 for the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) program and instead, to restore its funding to the FY ’05 level of $496 million.  This program not only under-girds the goals of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) but it is integral to bolstering America’s economy.  EETT, a NCLB program, allocates funds to states and school districts to provide professional development for teachers and administrators, develop data base systems, and facilitate outreach to parents.  For more than one quarter of all states EETT represents their only direct source of education technology funding.

EETT has sustained significant cuts over the past several cycles and cannot afford any more reductions if it is to continue its important work in support of NCLB’s central goals—student achievement and high quality teaching.  Recent surveys of EETT recipients indicate that educators are placing a priority on EETT competitive grants that focus on academic advancement in math and reading/language arts—the subjects in which states must measure achievement in accordance with NCLB.  Additionally all recipients of EETT formula funding must reserve 25% of their funds for professional development thereby promoting another central pillar of NCLB:  ensuring  that America’s students are prepared to compete for employment in our nation’s increasingly tightening job market.  With numerous employers bemoaning the lack of technologically skilled American students to fill available jobs, the early exposure of k-12 students to technology knowledge and skills, which EETT Funding  facilitates, is an economic imperative.  Curtailing funding for EETT now strikes me as a major mistake for this nation. 

From my own experience I have seen how vital access to education technology is to academic achievement, high quality teaching and future employment prospects.  I urge you to support the funding for EETT at $496 million for the FY’09 Labor –HHS and Education Bill.  Thank you for your consideration on this important issue.

Sincerely, _____________

Ed Tech Action Network has a simple formula for success:  Children + Technology = The Future.  That success formula needs EETT.   EETT needs you!  Whether you use a form letter or write one of your own, make sure your voice is heard.