To meet modern challenges, states must focus on creating and scaling new learning models and infrastructure systems, while placing an emphasis on college and career preparation and professional development, according to a report released this week from the State Educational Technology Directors Association, or SETDA.
But for the first time in eight years, what SETDA’s annual trends report doesn’t track is how states are spending money from the federal Enhancing Education Through Technology, or EETT, since the last $100 million of annual funding for the program was stripped (for now) as part of a federal budget deal passed in April. the report casts a broader stroke than simply following investments made from dollars funneled through the Enhancing Education Through Technology, or EETT program.
While it does still include tracking of fiscal year 2009 EETT funding, the report includes requirements needed to align with each of the four points of emphasis (learning models, infrastructure, college and career prep, professional development), and gives case studies of a handful of exemplary programs in each field.
It is worth checking out to see what’s going on in other districts around the country. And if you don’t have time to plow through the whole document, SETDA also has a handy six-page synopsis posted on its website.