SETDA Releases 2008 National Trends Report on NCLB, Title II D, EETT

50 States and DC Report Educational Technology Programs Are Increasing Student Achievement & Teacher Quality, Although Cuts in EETT Program Decrease Number of Districts and Students Affected

 | Source: SETDA SETDA

ARLINGTON, VA--(Marketwire - March 6, 2008) - The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) today released its 2008 National Trends Report. Fifty States and DC completed the survey on the impact of NCLB's Title II D, Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) program, representing 99% of the federal dollars for educational technology allocated across the country. The full report is available at 2008 National Trends Report (http://www.setda.org/web/guest/nationaltrendsreport).

"Research and data have shown that educational technology programs help to ensure that all schools have highly qualified teachers and provide students with the academic resources necessary to compete in a global economy," stated Dr. Mary Ann Wolf, Executive Director of SETDA. "Effective professional development and leadership are key to the advancement of the NCLB II D program goals. The 40% slash in EETT funds in Round 5 forced states to eliminate highly effective programs or to scale back successful programs."

"From professional development models in inner city New York to technology integration programs in rural North Dakota to comprehensive school reform in North Carolina, educational technology programs and models raise student achievement. We know what models and programs work, and EETT is one fundamental component to transforming more schools and ensuring our students are prepared for the 21st Century global economy," commented Dr. Wolf.

The major trends identified in the National Trends Report are: 

--  The Cuts to NCLB II D Funding Imperil States and Districts: In FY05
    funding levels were reduced to $272 million, a 60% reduction from FY04 to
    FY06.
--  Academics Continue To Be Top Priority for NCLB II D: In Round 5
    grantees increased the emphasis on mathematics, continued the emphasis on
    literacy, and added a strong emphasis in science.
--  State Policies Scale Effective Practices: States are increasingly
    offering LEAs opportunities to adopt fully developed programs that have
    been shown to work, when implemented with fidelity.
--  Leadership and Professional Development Lead to Progress: States
    identify effective professional development models and leadership as the
    key to advancement.
--  States Leverage Data-Informed Decision Making: States are building the
    capacity of schools to make data-informed instructional decisions.

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. Visit www.setda.org for more information.

Contact Information: CONTACT: Mary Ann Wolf, Ph.D SETDA Executive Director 410-647-6965

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