Technology Programs In and Out Of Ed. Dept. Take Big Hit in Budget

By Andrew Trotter and

Washington

Initiatives intended to improve teachers' skills in the use of technology and to bridge the "digital divide" would be cut under President Bush's proposed fiscal 2003 budget.

The president's budget plan, released Feb. 4, would eliminate a $62.5 million effort for preparing teachers in the use of technology. States could still use federal funds to hone teachers' technology skills, but the money would have to be drawn from a state block grant totaling $700 million that covers many different technology programs. That grant program, however, would keep the same funding level as in fiscal 2002.

"Considering the current economic climate for so many states, the shortfalls they're already experiencing, taking away something like teacher technology training and putting it into a block grant isn't going to help," said Denise Cardinal, a spokeswoman for...