Governor Timothy Kaine Declares June 27th Technology in Education Day; ISTE Spearheads an Effort to Bring Attention to Education Technology Issues in Virginia.

WASHINGTON -- Governor Timothy Kaine proclaimed June 27th "Technology in Education Day" as part of a continued effort to build awareness about the importance of education technology in Virginia's classrooms. The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) stands behind the governor's efforts to bring its federal awareness campaign to the state level.

Governor Kaine's "Technology in Education Day" proclamation stated:

Whereas, the citizens of the Commonwealth have become accustomed to new technologies becoming a part of daily lives, especially in schools and classrooms throughout our great state; and

Whereas, through technological advancements in education, students now have the opportunity to learn, grow and communicate with each other on a scale unimaginable to past generations; and

Whereas, the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is dedicated to ensuring that students throughout the Commonwealth and the United States have the opportunity to learn in the classrooms that are equipped with the learning technology necessary to connect to the broader world; and

Whereas, there exists a glaring need for equitable access to educational technology in all classrooms, as low-income, rural and minority students are too often placed in learning environments that lack the technology needed to allow them to increase their likelihood of landing a job in the field of their choice, and the continuation of Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) funding would go a long way towards meeting this objective; and

Whereas, it is important that all citizens of the Commonwealth recognize and understand the essential role that technology plays in our education system as well as the necessity of ensuring that all of our students have access to the latest technologies and learning tools that will enhance learning opportunities for them.

The governor signed this proclamation into effect today, June 27th at the request of the ISTE, as part of a nationwide initiative to increase awareness, maintain funding and garner recognition for the vital role technology plays in the classrooms of today and the future of tomorrow.

"This proclamation is a vital stepping stone to encourage other governors throughout the United States to stand behind education technology in the classroom. The best way to do that is to restore funding for the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) program," said CEO of ISTE, Don Knezek, Ph.D.

"As it currently stands the House has zeroed out all funding for the EETT program. Funding for educational technology programs is a vital part of meeting the goals of No Child Left Behind and ensuring American students are prepared to compete in the 21st Century," Knezek added.

ISTE plans to carry the fight to the House floor, to the Senate and eventually into the conference committee. Through grassroots, coalition, and lobbying efforts, ISTE will battle to restore federal funding to the nation's schools and continue to equip children, teachers, and administrators with the skills and access needed to keep America competitive.

Established in 2002, the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) program was designed to provide states and districts with the monetary resources to engage in professional development and implement 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 (NCLB) - improving student achievement and ensuring all teachers are highly qualified.

Created to operate on an annual budget of $1 billion, EETT funding has been systematically reduced, leaving the program with a minimal $496 million annual funding in 2005, followed by a further cutback to $272 million last year.

About ISTE

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is the trusted source in education technology for professional development, knowledge generation, and advocacy. A nonprofit membership organization, ISTE provides leadership and service to improve teaching and learning by advancing the effective use of technology in PK-12 and teacher education. Home of the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS), the Center for Applied Research in Educational Technology (CARET), and National Educational Computing Conference (NECC), ISTE represents more than 85,000 worldwide leaders and potential leaders in educational technology. We support our members with information, networking opportunities, and guidance as they face the challenge of integrating technology into schools. For more information, visit http://www.iste.org.