Summary Report: Education Technology Policy Summit
Washington, D.C April 12-13, 2011
The Education Technology Policy Summit brought together persons from technology companies,
K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and state Departments of Education. The focus of the
summit was to: a) share information and updates on current policy and funding opportunities, b)
learn about the processes and status of funding for educational technology, and c) provide
opportunities for advocates to make personal appeals to legislators for priority issues in
educational technology.
The summit began with presentations on the afternoon of the first day. Participants were
welcomes by Helen Padgett, President of ISTE and then heard keynote speakers and panelists
speak on the following topics:
Tuesday, April 12 P.M.
Progress on Digital Learning Now State Policy Agenda
Presenter: Bob Wise, President, Alliance for Excellent Education
(former Governor of West Virginia 2001-2005)
Along with Jeb Bush, Governor of Florida (1998-2007), Mr. Wise launched the Digital
Learning Council, a group of more than 100 leaders from education, government, philanthropy,
business, technology, and think tanks to develop the roadmap of reform for state lawmakers and
policymakers.
Highlights: The full report on Digital Learning Now can be found at
http://www.excelined.org/Docs/Digital%20Learning%20Now%20Report%20FINAL.pdf and is
provided in the attachments to this report
Ed Tech Opportunities in Title I and School Improvement Grants
Panelists: Dr. Carl Harris, Deputy Assistant Secretary, US Dept. of Education
Dr. Tasha Franklin Johnson, Director Title I, Baltimore City Public Schools
Lynn McNally, Tech Resource Supervisor, Loudoun County Public Schools
Panelists spoke to the current funding levels, the potential for far less funding in the
upcoming years, the ways in which Title I funds can be utilized for technology in support of
initiative funded under the programs supported by Title I, and the need to consider technology as
part of the process, not the end result so as to justify the expenditure and the utilization of funds.
Highlights: A large part of the discussion following the presentation focused on online learning
with regard to funds following students leaving for cyber schools and the
implications/ramifications of that loss of funding. In addition, there was a focus on the
importance of utilizing online learning for continuing education and professional development
for teachers and administrators.
Federal Role in Education, Telecommunications, and Internet Access
Presenter: Hon Mignon Cyburn, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission
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This presentation focused on the eRate, changes to eligibility for participation in eRate
and increased flexibility in the use of eRate funds.
Highlights: Schools can now provide students and communities high-speed service with lower
cost options by utilizing underused fiber optic lines already deployed across the country and
bypassing more costly service options. This allows for increased capacity while decreasing
costs. Schools and libraries can use services and benefits of the broad band pilots funded
through Congress. A temporary waiver was made permanent to allow eRate schools to open
their doors to the community after school hour. This flexibility allows schools to become hubs
of connectivity.
Getting Ready for Common Core (Online) Assessments
Panelists: Steve Garton, Co-Chair SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium Tech
Committee, Maine Dept. of Education
Laura McGiffert Slover, Senior VP, PARCC
Joanne Weiss, Chief of Staff, US Dept. of Education-Director, Race to the Top
Presentation focused on the assessment competition based upon common core standards
developed in 2009 and what has been happening across the countr in response to that
competition and those standards.
Highlights: As common core assessments were developed, it became apparent and imperative
that technology would be dominant and essential – pencil and paper would be for
accommodations only. Technology also essential for data collection, management and reporting.
An RFP will be forthcoming for the development of an IT readiness tool. This will be a
collaborative effort between PARCC and SMARTER.
Wednesday, April 13.
The primary focus on the second day of the summit was visits to legislators in attendees’ home
districts. There were presentations offered throughout the day but it was not possible to attend
many of them as appointments were scheduled throughout the day.
We did not meet with the legislators directly but with senior members of the staff. Appointments
were arranged for participants and we were provided with packets of information including
documentation to guide discussion in meetings and to leave with persons with whom we met.
The day began with issue updates and advocacy training.
Issues Updates:
Appropriations Briefing: Doug Levin, Executive Director SETDA
ESEA Briefing: Mark Schneiderman, Senior Director Education Policy, SIIA
E-Rate Briefing: Jon Bernstein, President, Bernstein Strategy Group
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Advocacy Training: Hilary Goldmann, Senior Government Affairs Officer, ISTE.
We were coached on the way in which we should conduct the discussions when meeting with
staff members. We were encouraged to introduce ourselves, state the purpose of our visit, make
our plea for three areas: a) retention of eRate, b) reauthorization of ESEA, c) and appropriations
to fund EETT program for 2011 and 2012 budget year. In addition, we were advised to
personalize our requests by providing specific examples of the ways in which technology
enriched schools have had a positive affect on communities in which constituents reside.
Participants visited legislators in groups from their home state. I represented SIGTE advocacy as
a member of the PA delegation which also included a member of the PA Dept. of Education,
three representatives of PAECT. As a group we met with two legislators representing the state
of PA and individually we met with our district representative.
I was scheduled to meet with a member of the staff Congressman Lou Barletta in the morning
and then two afternoon meetings with the PA group. However, the morning appointment could
not be confirmed so I visited the office and left the materials along with a hand-written note
providing the information that I contributed in the afternoon sessions.
Along with the PA group, I met senior staff assigned to education for Senator Pat Toomey and
Senator Robert Casey. I acquired contact information for those staff members:
Tessie_Abraham@Toomey.senate.gov (education)
Galen_Rocho@Toomey.senate.gov (technology)
The message provided to these staffers included the topics covered in the documentation
provided and attached to this report as well as the purpose and focus of the organizations or
groups represented. In addition, we provided examples of schools and projects that are
revitalizing and energizing our local areas. All meetings went well. The message was received
and recognized and all questions asked were answered satisfactorily. Staff members were
engaged and positive.
Presentations on the second day included those listed below.
ESEA/NCLB Reauthorization and FY2012 Appropriations
Presenters: Advisors and staff members from the offices of:
Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY) Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee
Representative Deny Rehberg (R-MT) Chairman, Labor, HHS, & Education
Appropriations Subcommittee
Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee
The presentation focused on the process for the reauthorization and the allocation of funding.
Highlights: The process is long, complex and difficult but does provide opportunities for
advocacy. It is important that we remain consistent and vigilant in the advocacy for funding for
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essential programs. The advocacy efforts must be targeted and tailored to be relevant to the
legislator mindful of the response of constituents to funding decisions.
NCTET Profiles on Exemplary Uses of Federal School Technology Funds
Presenters: Hon. Patty Murray, Senator (D-WA), United States Senate
Terra Graves, Nevada Pathway Project
This presentation focused on the exemplary work of the Nevada Pathway Project
(http://cpdmoodle.ccsd.net/pathway/ )
Highlights: Participating teachers and administrators will take part in a two-year professional
development program, funded through Federal ARRA, focused on recognizing and addressing
the needs of 21st century students through the framework of the revised Nevada Educational
Technology Standards, which align to the National Educational Technology Standards for
Students (NETS-S). All of the professional development will take place in an online environment.