The debate over No Child left Behind is heating up as Congress works on reauthorization and interest groups jockey to present proposals for changing the legislation enacted more than five years ago. Issues of accountability, assessments, annual yearly progress and achievement levels dominate the current debate.
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| Irene Spero is vice president of external relations for the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN). Look for her Industry Insight column about IT in K-12 education every month. |
However, another aspect of this debate is receiving little attention. The reauthorization is a bold opportunity to change the way federal legislation supports technology in the educational experience. The state of that technology, both in terms of hardware and software, is very different than it was in 2001; there are more computers in the classroom, more mobile devices, more innovative and exciting software products for students, more ways to encourage collaboration and engage the teaching profession. But as is often the case, policy lags behind in providing a framework for these new innovations.
The recent introduction of the Achievement Through Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) HR 2249 bill by U.S. Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX), Judy Biggert (R-IL) and Ron Kind (D-WI) is a critical next step in establishing a policy framework more suitable for sustaining these technology advances. Supported by a coalition of industry organizations, including the Consortium for School Networking, International Society for Technology in Education, Software & Information Industry Association, and the State Educational Technology Directors Association, the legislation proposes significant improvements to the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) program as part of the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) by better targeting the educational needs of today's students through technology.
ATTAIN's approach is multifaceted: improving support for disadvantaged schools and students, ensuring teachers are properly equipped to use the technology effectively, focusing funds on systemic reform that leverage 21st century technologies, and requiring states to assess whether students are technological literate by the eighth grade.
With all the talk about sharpening America's competitive edge and preparing students to meet the challenges of the 21st century, ATTAIN will be an important mechanism to make it happen. Investing in technology in the classroom with properly trained teachers is one of the most effective ways to sharpen our economic position in the world economy. Rep. Kind's statement is on target: "We cannot ignore education technology's value in developing critical thinking skills and media literacy into this and future generations of students. We all want our students, and this country, to compete effectively and succeed in the global marketplace. Education technology is a key component to achieving those goals."
Congratulations to Reps. Roybal-Allard, Hinojosa, Biggert and Kind for understanding the role that education technology plays in meeting NCLB's goals and giving our students the skills necessary to succeed in the modern workforce. Let's hope that Congress will follow their lead and make ATTAIN part of No Child Left Behind.
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Public Display: Hot Scenes From XChange Public Sector Hundreds of VARs, integrators, vendors and analysts descended on the Sawgrass Marriott in Jacksonville, Fla., last week for XChange Public Sector. Here's a look at what you missed if you weren't there, from heated health-care and government discussion to just plain heat. |
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CRN 2010 Public Sector Awards: Meet The Big Winners CRN saluted four vendors and five VARs and integrators at XChange Public Sector in Jacksonville. Have a look at who took home the hardware this year, including Public Sector Integrator of the Year. |
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10 Burning Questions For The Public Sector Channel As XChange Public Sector kicks off in Jacksonville June 12, here's a look at some of the most pressing issues for public sector VARs and integrators, from cybersecurity and firm-fixed-price contracts to green technology and small business priorities. |
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