March 2005 — Editorial
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The Future of Wireless and Title II D
As you know by now, the president’s proposed budget calls for cutting the entire amount in Title II D, the technology component of NCLB. That means no money for state grants to local districts, as well as no support to states for carrying out mandates for technology in NCLB such as ensuring that all students are technologically literate by the end of the eighth grade and that technology is integrated throughout all of curriculum and instruction by Dec. 31, 2006. The rationale for the cut is as follows (from the U.S. D'E’s Web site at www.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget06/summary/edlite-section3.html ):“This program provides funding to states and school districts to support the integration of educational technology into classroom instruction, technology deployment, and a host of other activities designed to utilize technology to improve instruction and student learning. Schools today offer a greater level of technology infrastructure than just a few years ago, and there is no longer a significant need for a state formula grant program targeted specifically on (and limited to) the effective integration of technology into schools and classrooms. Districts seeking funds to integrate technology into teaching and learning can use other federal program funds. …”
Remember that this is the president’s proposed budget; the House and the Senate will propose their own separate versions of the budget. We need to inform our senators and representatives about how important technology is in the teaching and learning process by providing specific examples. In my January editorial, I provided some challenges to educators that describe simple, yet effective, ways to do this. Another approach is to describe what you will not be able to do if this funding is eliminated. It is critical that school districts with representatives and senators on appropriations committees contact their correct senators and representatives. To find out who these members are in the House, go to http://appropriations.house.gov, click on “Subcommittees,” then on “Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies.” For the Senate, go to http://appropriations.senate.gov and follow the same links as noted above.
Educational companies may not feel comfortable lobbying members of Congress directly, as it may seem self-serving. Another approach is to encourage your clients, especially those who were planning on using Title II D funds to purchase your product, to contact their senators and representatives. We have some time to do this, but not a lot. The House-Senate conference committee report on the 2005 budget, which cut $200 million out of Title II D, was approved in November. We cannot wait, and the students in our charge cannot wait. Make your voice heard, and help your students make their voices heard.
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