February 2008 — News

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Bush Budget Cuts EETT

by Dave Nagel

EETT is once again on the chopping block. In a proposed budget from the Bush administration released Feb. 4, the Enhancing Education Through Technology program (EETT) was listed among the programs recommended for zero funding. EETT is part of Title II D of the No Child Left Behind Act, designed to support the deployment and integration of educational technology into classroom instruction.

Title II D of the No Child Left Behind Act, Enhancing Education Through Technology, provides the sole source of federal funding in NCLB specifically supporting education technologies.

In explaining the cut, the United States Department of Education stated: "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 integration of technology into schools and classrooms. Districts seeking funds to integrate technology into teaching and learning can use funds from other Federal programs, such as Improving Teacher Quality State Grants and Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies."

Mary Ann Wolf, executive director of the State Education Technology Directors Association (SETDA), said the cut was not unexpected, but it was unwelcome.

Said Wolf: "Although history shows that President Bush does not support the EETT Program despite the strong scientifically based research results demonstrating significant gains in student achievement, it is still shocking that the reality of a slowing economy and America's lagging results in the international PISA tests has not convinced [him] of the importance of actually maximizing the potential of technology in our schools. Data shows that EETT makes a big difference, and SETDA respects Congress' continual understanding and investment in this program. We once again look to Congress to ensure that the tremendous gains from EETT will continue in 2009."

Funding for EETT has declined fairly consistently over the years, from $696 million in 2004 down to its current level of $267.5 million in FY 2008.