February 2007 — News
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Groups Respond to Proposed EETT Cuts
Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN, released a statement on the proposed cuts: "Once again the Administration has foolishly proposed eliminating education technology funding under No Child Left Behind Act. CoSN believes the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) program is a prerequisite to innovation and individualized instruction--two concepts that can make a real difference for improved learning and 21st Century competitiveness. By proposing to eliminate EETT, the Administration's FY08 budget erects barriers to advance low-income, minority and rural students that rely on their schools for the technology and Internet access that they lack in their homes. We hope that Congress recognizes the importance of EETT and increases our investment in our children's future."
In a letter to its membership today, SETDA said, "Notably, it is the largest program being slated for elimination and the only program dedicated specifically to education technology for our schools. As in the past, Congress now has the opportunity to develop its own budget in response to the President’s proposed version. SETDA plans to work diligently to share how EETT is increasing student achievement and improving teacher quality to decision makers on Capitol Hill. Although this is disappointing in light of the President’s focus on competitiveness and the Administration's flawed assertion that the work is done, we believe the tide has turned for education technology with the new Congress. We are hopeful that funding will be allocated for the leadership and innovative approaches being developed through the current EETT in the future...."
SETDA is asking its members to take direct action with congressional representatives, state superintendents and corporate partners.
The news, which, according to SETDA, was not unexpected, comes on the same day on which the organization released its 2007 National Trends Report. The report covers technology in education and includes six major findings, cited below from an executive summary of the report:
