FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Mary Ann Wolf, PhD
SETDA, Executive Director
mwolf @ setda.org 410-647-6965
SETDA's 2007 National Trends Report Released
50 States and DC Report that EETT and Statewide Educational Technology Efforts Are Making a Difference in Student Achievement & Teacher Quality
February 2, 2007 (Arlington, VA) – The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) today released its SETDA’s National Trends Report 2007. Fifty States and DC completed the survey on the impact of NCLB’s Title IID, Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) program, representing 99% of the federal dollars for educational technology allocated across the country in 2005-2006. The full report is available at 2007 National Trends Report.
“Educational technology is improving student achievement and providing targeted high quality professional development that addresses the crucial need for schools to focus on American competitiveness. This report includes examples of what is possible when educational technology is maximized, whether by providing access to rigorous coursework in Alabama and Virginia, curriculum and assessments for individualized instruction in Utah and Missouri, or applying innovation to systemically change what is happening for all students in a school in Texas and North Carolina,” stated Dr. Mary Ann Wolf, Executive Director of SETDA.
“EETT funding is vital as educational leaders seek to modernize schools and successfully engage the 21st Century student. Although global competitiveness is a focus for the Administration, the EETT program is anticipated to be eliminated in President Bush’s upcoming draft budget. SETDA applauds the Congressional Leaders who support and recognize that EETT serves as a catalyst for change within their home states. The EETT program is an incubator of ideas,” said Dr. Wolf. “It provides states with targeted resources to assess where technology can be infused into the learning process to dramatically increase the effectiveness of teachers as well as improve student achievement. We need to learn from these examples and replicate the successful models nationally.”
The EETT Trends Report reflects how states are using the federal funding:
- States are setting priorities with EETT grants that are evidence-based and tightly aligned to the NCLB goals.
- States report priorities targeted at academics programs, especially in the priority areas of literacy and mathematics.
- States continue to refine their EETT programs and, most notably, have increased the use of instructional technology coaches, evidence based practices, and the focus on math and literacy to help advance NCLB goals.
- While nationally the EETT program continues to be a primary source of dedicated funding for educational technology, states share that responsibility through both dedicated and optional state funding sources for LEA educational technology.
About SETDA
The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) is the principal association for state directors of technology and their staff members. SETDA provides its membership consisting of 50 states and two territories with opportunities to collaborate and learn from one another as well as the broader education community.
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