Today, Congressman George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the House Education and the Workforce Committee introduced the Transforming Education through Technology Act. The introduction of this legislation is an important milestone in digital learning policy. With no dedicated federal funding over last few years for classroom technology, and the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act stalled, the Transforming Education through Technology Act will be a rallying opportunity for the entire education community to highlight and underscore the key role digital learning plays in all aspects of teaching and learning to ensure all students are college and career ready.
“We’re a strong supporter of Congressman Miller’s Transforming Education through Technology Act,” said Brian Lewis, CEO of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). “The legislation’s strong focus on professional learning for teachers and administrators is the key to developing and implementing effective and engaging curriculum. Once again, Congressman Miller has taken a leading role on an issue of great importance to all students. His leadership on digital learning policy recognizes that there is an important federal role in ensuring that all students receive an education that prepares them for successful and meaningful lives.”
The Transforming Education through Technology Act has a strong focus on students, teachers and administrators. Complimenting the ISTE NETS, the purposes of the legislation include, among others, to:
- Improve the achievement and college-and-career readiness of students who have developed the ability to think critically, apply knowledge to solve complex problems, work collaboratively, communicate effectively, be self-directed and be responsible digital citizens;
- Ensure all students have access to individualized, rigorous and engaging digital learning experiences;
- Ensure that educators have the knowledge and skills to develop and implement digital learning curriculum, use technology effectively in order to personalize and strengthen instruction and effectively deliver and utilize assessments to measure student outcomes and support student success;
- Ensure that administrators have the leadership, management, knowledge and skills to design develop and implement a school or local educational agency-wide digital age learning environment.
ISTE joined with several education organizations releasing a joint press statement in support of the Transforming Education through Technology Act. The organizations are: Alliance for Excellent Education (Alliance), American Association of School Administrators (AASA), Association of Education Service Agencies (AESA), Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), National Rural Education Advocacy Coalition (NREAC), National Rural Education Association (NREA), the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) and the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA).
Here are links to Representative Miller’s Press statement, the complete legislation, the fact sheet and bill summary.
The bill allocates 500 million dollars for the first year. Is this enough? Has anyone calculated/estimated the total cost for building the infrastructure and assets needed to implement Common Core AND teach digital literacy in ALL K-12 schools?
Thank you for sharing the key details of this legislation, as it is being discussed. ISTE’s role & voice (as well as the other supportive organizations) can hopefully educate teachers and administrators as to the legislation’s content and ramifications. We can only hope that there is adequate agreement to pass this legislation and to provide funding so the infrastructure and training costs are covered.I hope to receive updates as to this Act’s progress during legislative sessions.
This is an important bill that will support critical needs for infrastructure and professional development around educational technologies. As an ISTE member, I really appreciate their leadership in working so diligently to keep a focus on technology during these times of challenging budgets. It’s an important way to prepare our students for the future.