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Geoff Fletcher
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SETDA Honors Dr. Patricia I. Wright, Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction,
with 2011 State Policy Maker of the Year Award

November 21, 2011 (Washington, D.C.)  –  Dr. Patricia Wright, Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction, was honored as the State Policy Maker of the Year by the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) at the 2011 Leadership Summit, “Leveraging Technology for Learning,” for her long track record of exemplary leadership in and support for the effective use of technology throughout Virginia.

Dr. Wright is committed to ensuring that all students and teachers in Virginia have the resources and tools they need to succeed in the 21st century. Under her leadership, the Commonwealth has expanded and enriched its online learning opportunities, undertaken a number of initiatives to take advantage of interactive digital and open (OER) content and applications, moved the state student assessment system online, built out a robust state data system, and demonstrated substantive leadership in helping schools keep students secure and safe while online.

Douglas Levin, Executive Director of SETDA, said, “Virginia is fortunate to have a technology-savvy state leader in Dr. Wright. She has demonstrated that a clear vision for the use of technology will create positive outcomes for students and educators alike.”

“Dr. Wright is an incredible advocate for technology within the Virginia Department of Education as well as outside.  The approximately 1.2 million students in Virginia have clearly benefited from her leadership,” stated Lan Neugent, Assistant Superintendent for Technology, Career, and Adult Education and Chief Information Officer.

About the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA): Founded in 2001, SETDA is the national member association that represents the interests of the educational technology leadership of state and territorial education agencies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. SETDA members work collectively and in public-private partnerships to ensure that meaningful technology innovations with broad potential for systemic improvements and cost-savings in teaching, learning and leadership are brought to scale. For more information, please visit www.setda.org.