To all School-It readers:

The information was sent out to all ISTE affiliates.  It describes the
proposed budget impact on technology funding.  This will have a profound
impact on many of us in the state.  Please review the information and
take whatever action you deem appropriate.

Thanks,

Paul

L. Paul Irish
Director of Information Technology
Burlington School District
150 Colchester Ave.
Burlington, VT, 05401
Voice: 802-864-8465
Fax: 802-864-8501
E-Mail: [log in to unmask]

>>> "Susan Hair" <[log in to unmask]> 03/03 7:02 PM >>>
ACTION ALERT from ISTE DC


ACT NOW TO PROTECT EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY FUNDING!


Background


Both the House and Senate Budget Committees are now debating and will
soon adopt a FY06 budget blueprint (a Budget Resolution) that determines
overall education spending levels for fiscal 2006.  If this blueprint
does not include in its assumptions that the Enhancing Education Through
Technology program (EETT) will be funded (preferably at the $700 million
level from last year or minimally at the current $500 million level), it
will be very difficult to obtain any EETT funds during the
appropriations process later this year. Both Budget Committees will
consider and likely pass a budget blueprint the week of March 9 and the
full House and Senate will take up the blueprint shortly thereafter.
Therefore, it is imperative that all U.S. ISTE members contact their
members of Congress and Senators right now, demanding full restoration
of EETT funds in the Budget Resolution to the FY04 level of $700
million, or risk losing all EETT funds.

Here's why EETT is so important.  President Bush's proposed FY06 Budget
eliminates all EETT funding. EETT provides states and districts with
funding to purchase hardware and software, engage in technology
professional development and develop innovative technology programs. A
number of recent studies indicate that states and districts primarily
use EETT funds to implement two key goals of No Child Left Behind -
improving student achievement and ensuring that all teachers are highly
qualified - by purchasing curricular materials and establishing
professional development programs. Twelve states (Arkansas, Arizona,
Delaware, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, New
Hampshire, Oregon, Vermont, and Wisconsin) rely entirely on EETT funding
to operate education technology programs, as they receive no state funds
for ed tech. For another 25 states (CA, MS, SC, SD, NC, PA, KS, IL, VA,
NE, LA, UT, IA, CT, HI, MA, TN, CO, GA, MT, AK, TX, NJ, IN, and NY),
EETT represents the primary source for state education awards to school
districts for technology.



In its FY06 budget request, released in early February, the
Administration proposed slashing education spending by over $2 billion,
including the elimination of all $496 million (over last year) for the
EETT program. If enacted, these cuts will complete the rapid destruction
of EETT, which received an appropriation of nearly $700 million only two
years ago.



Action Needed
Immediately contact your members of Congress and Senators by e-mail,
fax or telephone and demand that they support an FY06 budget that
includes $700 million for the targeted education technology investments
furnished through EETT and that they oppose any FY06 Budget Resolution
that does not include education technology. Please include in your
communications personal examples of how education technology is making a
difference, especially in NCLB compliance, in your states, and school
districts.

To see a sample letter to Congress and to find e-mail contact
information about your member of Congress, please utilize the Ed Tech
Action Network's website at, www.edtechactionnetwork.org.

To voice your support for education technology, call the Capitol
switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to be connected to your legislators'
offices. Also, remember to provide your return postal address when
emailing your member of Congress.

Thank you for your action and your commitment to better outcomes and
improved opportunities for all 21st Century learners!

*****************************
Susan Hair
Program Manager
Affiliate & Special Interest Group Membership Programs
International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
480 Charnelton Street
Eugene, OR 97401
541.434.8900 Direct
541.302.3778 Fax

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