[pn] US Ed Tech Plan

[Mark Warschauer]

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(If you follow the URL below and click on "resources," you'll link to 
a half dozen
background documents on technology in US education....Mark)


To: info@nationaledtechplan.org
From: info@nationaledtechplan.org
Subject: ED Department Seeks Broad Input for New National Education 
Technology Plan
Date: Wed, 28 May 2003 05:37:36 -0700 (PDT)


Department Seeks Broad Input for New National Education
Technology Plan
FOR RELEASE:
May 23, 2003  Contact: David Thomas, (202) 401-1576


The U.S. Department of Education today announced that
it is calling for broad participation and input from a
wide array of education stakeholders in crafting a new
National Education Technology Plan, as required by the
recently enacted No Child Left Behind law.

The department is actively seeking advice from a
variety of constituencies in education, especially
students, parents, K-12 educators, colleges and
university leaders, and business and industry.
Individuals and organizations are being asked to
identify and communicate to the Department of Education
their top issues, priorities, concerns, and barriers
that need to be addressed for technology to improve
teaching and learning in the 21st century. Interested
parties can give their input by visiting the National
Education Technology Plan's Web site at
http://www.NationalEdTechPlan.org, and clicking on the
"Participate in the Plan" link.

U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige said the
long-range plan has a sharp focus on students. "The
plan will center on how to help students as they grow
up being exposed to various technologies," he said. "As
technology continues to be an important part of
children's lives outside of school, it is shaping their
expectations of what school will be like. The National
Education Technology Plan intends to explore this trend
and the implications for creating digital age
educational opportunities to match the expectations of
digital age students."

The department's plan will serve as a valuable tool for
education leaders to set a strategic direction to meet
the demands of life and work in a future that will
continue to change as a result of technology.

"This effort will set new priorities and actions that
all stakeholders can rally behind to ensure technology
is being used effectively to prepare students for their
future, not our past," Paige added. "Technology
provides new ways of explaining and enhancing
educational opportunities for students. When used
effectively, technology can help prepare our nation's
children succeed in the 21st century."

"But first we want input from a variety of sources,"
said John Bailey, director of educational technology at
the department. "More opportunities to provide comments
and recommendations will occur once the priorities have
been identified. Ultimately, this feedback will ensure
that policymakers at all levels of government can
understand how to use technology effectively and how
states can employ technology to help meet the goals of
No Child Left Behind."

The No Child Left Behind Act charges the secretary of
education with developing the nation's third National
Education Technology Plan. The plan will establish a
national strategy supporting the effective use of
technology to improve student academic achievement and
prepare them for the 21st century. It provides an
opportunity to reflect on the progress our nation has
made as a result of a decade of increased federal,
state, local and private investments in connecting
classrooms to the Internet, providing students with
computers, and equipping teachers with the skills they
need to use technology as an instructional tool.

No Child Left Behind is the landmark education reform
law designed to change the culture of America's schools
by closing the achievement gap, offering more
flexibility, giving parents more options and teaching
students based on proven education practices. For more
information on No Child Left Behind, visit www.nclb.gov.

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