June 2008 — News
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Groups Call on Candidates To Invest in Ed Tech
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How can we make education technology and 21st century learning a national priority? Four education advocacy groups think they have part of the answer. The groups came together Tuesday to launch "One Giant Leap for Kids," a new campaign designed to bring ed tech to the forefront of the minds of the presidential candidates.
The groups behind the campaign, which include the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), the National Education Association (NEA), and the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA), said they aim "to make K-12 student access to education technology and modern learning environments a top national priority."
"The presidential candidates continue to talk about the importance of the global economy, the energy crisis, and our competitiveness; and education is integral to addressing these issues and ensuring that our students are prepared for the 21st century," said Mary Ann Wolf, executive director of SETDA, in a statement released today. "The good news is that we have data that shows what makes a difference for kids and how technology can be maximized to improve student achievement and ensure that our teachers are prepared. We and education stakeholders from all 50 states look forward to discussing the potential for technology as an integral part of education policy and programs to serve as a catalyst for transforming our schools for the 21st century."
In order to support these concepts, the groups have launched an awareness campaign that includes a public service announcement, which will be sent to the campaign headquarters of the Republican and Democratic presidential candidates, as well as questions for the candidates to help clarify their positions on "the future of American education and the modern classroom."
The public service announcement, which will run in several education magazines (including this one) reads: "On July 20, 1969, astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong planted the U.S. flag on the moon, helping America win the coveted space race. Our great nation realized this seemingly impossible dream by making sound investments in education. Student access to school technology, robust teacher technology preparation, and a renewed focus on 21st Century skills are critical to today's missions."
