Copyright 1999 Federal News Service, Inc.
Federal News Service
MAY 11, 1999, TUESDAY
SECTION: IN THE NEWS
LENGTH:
769 words
HEADLINE: PREPARED STATEMENT OF
REP.
MICHAEL. N. CASTLE
BEFORE THE HOUSE EDUCATION AND THE
WORKFORCE COMMITTEE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON EARLY CHILDHOOD, YOUTH AND FAMILIES
SUBJECT - EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS
AUTHORIZED UNDER
ESEA
BODY:
Good Afternoon.
"l would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the second hearing
held by our Subcommittee on an issue that is very important to all of us -- the
education of our children, and how technology can be used to expand educational
opportunities and improve student achievement for all students.
"The first
bearing that we held on this issue was conducted in my home State of Delaware.
"At that hearing, we received testimony from Governor Tom Carper, Delaware's
Secretary of Education Iris Metts, and nine other State and local leaders in our
State's efforts to integrate technology into the classroom. "The witnesses in
Delaware told us of innovative programs and strategies that will lead Delaware's
schools into the next millenium.
"We learned a great deal from that hearing,
and I look forward to learning a great deal from today's panel of witnesses.
"We hope to come away from this morning's hearing with not only an
understanding of how different States and school systems are using technology to
improve education, but also with recommendations on how we, at the national
level, can better assist States and local communities to use technology in
improving America's schools.
"In recent years, funding for education
technology programs has dramatically increased at the national level.
"In
fact, Federal funding for education technology programs authorized under title
III of ESEA alone has increased from $52.6 million in FY 1995
to $698 million in FY 1999.
"However as part of that growing support, so
many programs have sprung up that we are faced with a situation where there is
inadequate coordination among the programs at the federal level.
"This
forces school administrators to waste hours of time and money (in some cases to
hire consultants) to fill out applications for federal education technology
funds.
"The U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) has reported that there are
over 27 federal programs -- administered by 5 different federal agencies --
which provide funding for education technology to K-12 schools and to libraries.
"Federal assistance ranges from grants to States and local school districts
for education technology authorized under ESEA -- to tax
incentives for corporate donations of computer technology for elementary and
secondary education -- to establishment of the E-rate.
"The primary
education technology programs that are under the jurisdiction of our Committee
however, are those authorized in title m of ESEA, including:
The National Challenge Grants for Technology in Education; and
The
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund.
"However, if we are to be successful in
providing the kind of assistance to States and local school districts that will
be necessary for the continued successful integration of technology into the
classroom, we must look beyond just the programs authorized under the technology
title of ESEA.
"We must find a way to consolidate, or at
the very least allow States and local school districts to integrate the
different funding streams that are available for technology in ways that allow
for a truly coordinated and cohesive education technology effort.
"Support
for education technology must lead to increased academic performance -- not just
the presence of new computers in the classroom or access to the Internet.
"Recent studies have found that education technology can have a positive
impact on student achievement, but only when used by well- trained teachers.
"In fact, studies on the use of technology in the classroom ,stress the need
for: improved teacher training; the integration of technology into the education
process -- including curriculum development that effectively integrates
technology; adequate access to technology; and careful planning.
"While we
are still in the process of determining what exactly we will do with regard to
education technology as part of our consideration of ESEA this
year, you can expect that technology will be a major focus of any reform.
"It is essential that any reforms in federal education legislation get
funding into the hands of local educators in the most efficient manner, so that
they can determine the priorities and needs of their students.
"The question
is, what is the best way to support successful technology efforts at the State
and local level?
"I invite you to work with us in development of the
legislation to reauthorize ESEA, and particularly on that
portion of the legislation dealing with education technology.
"I look
forward to your testimony, I know that it will be most helpful to us in our
efforts."
END
LOAD-DATE: May 13, 1999
