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by Dana Laursen, Director, Education Strategy and Evaluation — August 19, 2009
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Technology is clearly a dominant thread in the tapestry of education reform launched by the Obama administration's Department of Education earlier this year. The potential behind technology integration in the classroom is supported by the $650 million ARRA investment in the State Education Technology Grants via the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT, Title IID) program. The ARRA grants—combined with the $269.9 million funds for 2009 and the proposed budget of $100 million for 2010—total more than a $1 billion investment in technology.
But it's not about technology alone. States are encouraged to use the funds, through competitive grants, to integrate innovative technology solutions that support effective instruction and achievement. For example:
- The program in Colorado that uses technology to feed continuous progress-monitoring data for teacher collaboration for hard-to-reach students
- The program in Pennsylvania that uses technology-based summer school programs that allow students to recover credits before entering high school so they can stay on track for graduation
- The multi-state programs using technology to offer world languages to learners who otherwise wouldn't have access
- The program in New Mexico that uses gaming software to engage different learning modalities for struggling students
- The teacher in North Carolina who uses technology to provide instruction to homebound students
Technology alone can not raise student achievement. But it can act as a catalyst—creating multiple options and opportunities for both educators and students to harness their own power and creativity. And education is not a sole endeavor, but rather a collaborative, community-based venture. Envision working in new and strategic partnerships to incorporate technology into your community's schools and programs—what would your vision be? What influences have you been inspired by?
