Digital Discourse / Education Policy

SIIA and AAP Issue Joint Statement to Support Implementation of the Voluntary Common Core State Standards for Education

March 10, 2010 By

The National Governors Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) today released  the much anticipated, first official public draft of the K-12 standards as part of the Common Core State Standards Initiative.  The standards in (1) English Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies & Science and (2) Mathematics are expected to be finalized in early Spring.  Initial reviews, as expected, are a mix of praise and skepticism.  SIIA notes the inclusion in the standars of student digital/media literacy, use of technology to enhance writing, and use of technology to visualize and represent mathematical concepts as important ways the standards reflect 21st century learning, knowledge and skills. 

At last week at SIIA’s Ed Tech Government Forum, representatives from CCSSO, Achieve and the Council of Great City Schools presented to more than 150 publishers and developers about the Common Core timeline and impact on curriculum, assessment and publishers.  They noted the key role played by publishers and developers, as well as the extended timeline and investment that will be needed to transition to the new standards. 

SIIA, along with session co-host the Association of American Publishers, took that opportunity to release a joint statement to support implementation of the Common Core state standards:

“The Association of American Publishers (AAP) and the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) support the voluntary Common Core State Standards Initiative for education and its implementation through our members’ development of instructional, curricular, professional development, assessment and other resources, both digital and print, that align to the standards and are necessary for the teaching and learning of those Standards.  AAP, SIIA and our member publishers and developers look forward to the final approval and adoption of a set of Common Core Standards that ensure students gain the knowledge and skills necessary for their success in the 21st century. We expect the commonality of standards will reduce some burdens on our education system, resulting in enhanced opportunity for curriculum innovation and personalized learning to ensure all students are college and career ready.”

In so doing, SIIA and AAP affirmed that we and our member publishers and developers look forward to continued work with education agencies and other stakeholders to provide instructional resources aligned to state standards.  AAP and SIIA members collectively develop and publish a large majority of textbooks, software, online content, assessments and other primary and supplemental materials and related professional development used by educators and students in virtually all states and school districts across the country.

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What’s the (Ed Tech) Plan?

March 5, 2010 By

The U.S. Department of Education today released a draft of the National Educational Technology Plan titled, “Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology.”  U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan previewed the plan March 3rd during SIIA’s Ed Tech Government Forum in his first speech centered around technology-enabled teaching and learning.  SIIA staff and members were pleased to be invited to provide input into the draft plan, including an SIIA member focus group held in June 2009.

The Plan is not merely a technology plan; it is importantly a plan for the future of teaching and learning. The described model of 21st century learning, powered by technology, is very consistent with SIIA’s Vision K-20. It calls for “personalized learning instead of a one-size-fits-all curriculum, pace of teaching, and instructional practices,” “technology-based assessments,” and “using technology . . . [for] enabling a shift to a model of connected teaching.”  The plan also recognizes that technology can make our education system more productive, as it has done in most other sectors, as well as that “an essential component of the 21st century learning model is a comprehensive infrastructure.”

The Plan’s release comes on the heels of the Obama Administration’s FY2011 budget, which proposes, among other changes, to eliminate funding for the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) program and instead infuse technology into other programs.  SIIA is working to understand the details and implications of this policy shift and has shared some early thoughts (here and here).

SIIA has little doubt those few communities with the vision, capacity and resources will continue to pursue the model outlined in the Plan, but what will happen to those without absent this federal investment?  How credible and viable will the Plan and federal leadership be without matching targeted resources? Failing to adequately plan has slowed our nation’s progress toward a technology-enabled 21st century education system, but absent the enabling investments, this important initiative could amount to no more than planning to fail.

Upon initial review, SIIA supports the Plan’s vision, and many of the recommendations.  We are very pleased that the Obama Administration has put forward such a bold model for the transformation of our educational system.  And we look forward to working further with our members, education stakeholders and the Obama Administration to not only further refine the Plan to ensure it is appropriate and actionable, but more importantly to ensure the critical investments in technology are made and systems changed to realize the Plan’s successful implementation and the continued competitiveness of our education system.

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Is Every Education Program a Technology Opportunity? Obama Budget, Part II

February 4, 2010 By

After an initial reaction here Monday to the Obama Administration’s proposed FY2011 budget for the U.S. Department of Education and educational technology, a fuller analysis is now possible (see others here, here and here).  The budget notes that: “The President strongly believes that technology, when used creatively and effectively, can transform education and training in the same way that it has transformed the private sector.”  The question then is how the budget proposes to support that notion, and if in fact it would.

The Obama educational technology proposal includes three core elements: (1) “consolidation” of the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) program, which would end the program and diffuse those dollars as a technology priority throughout the new Effective Teaching and Learning programs (p.7, 26-27, and 34); (2) integration of technology into other programs including i3 and RttT; and (3) enhanced R&D investment in USED and National Science Foundation.

The EETT budget justification reads:  “The Administration‟s ESEA reauthorization proposal would consolidate this [EETT] program into the Effective Teaching and Learning for a Complete Education authority. Each of the three programs under this new authority would include a focus on integrating technology into instruction and using technology to drive improvements in teaching and learning. In addition, using technology to improve student outcomes is a key priority in the Race to the Top and Investing in Innovation (i3) programs. The Administration‟s proposal for College- and Career-Ready Students [i.e., Title I] also will promote the development of State capacity to support district efforts to use technology to improve instruction.” 

SIIA applauds the Obama Administration’s proposed budget for recognizing the important role of technology to transform education and improve student outcomes.  We also welcome proposals to better integrate technology to drive improvements in teaching and learning throughout the many grant programs. This integration currently exists on paper, but there are many opportunities to further leverage this approach into practice.

SIIA also believes targeted federal investment, including through the EETT program, plays a critical role in both building state and local capacity for educational innovation through technology, as well as for coordinating disparate school improvement investments that leverage educational technologies. Directed investment may be especially important where capacity and resources are otherwise lacking to take advantage of existing and new flexibility, thus risking exacerbation of the classroom digital divide between schools.

SIIA looks forward to working with the Administration and Congress to ensure that any new federal K-12 paradigm continues the systematic and coordinated investment in educational technology leadership needed to drive education innovation and continuous improvement.  This includes work during the ESEA reauthorization processes to further integrate technology throughout all education programs as proposed, as well as continued support for increased investment in EETT (or an alternative such as the ATTAIN Act) at least until such time as there are meaningful and quantifiable alternative approaches enacted to achieve these goals.

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Obama Budget Proposal: Half Empty or Half Full for Ed Tech?

February 1, 2010 By

The FY2011 (2011-12 school year) budget proposal released today by the Obama Administration would dramatically remake the federal education landscape in the name of flexibility and alignment around the four assurances.  Among the changes would be the “consolidation” of the Enhancing Education Through Technology program (and 38 others down to 11), perhaps ending some 15+ years of targeted USED investment in educational innovation and improvement through technology only recently touted by 30+ national education and high-tech organizations and supported in the stimulus.  While SIIA has been ensured of the goal to integrate technology throughout, those details to date are not available. 

Flexibility to use an array of federal program funds to meet educational needs through technology is an important principle, and in fact, advocacy by SIIA and others has ensured technology is already allowed in most core U.S. Department of Education programs (though much more work is needed).  The flexibility is most often taken advantage of by those with the vision, capacity and existing success.  The questions therefore are: What federal leadership teeth will be given to the integration policies to drive technology-based practices that would not otherwise happen.  And what will happen to those many communities and teachers without the vision, capacity and resources, if targeted investment is no longer provided?  EETT has been successful in targeting high-need schools especially in building local capacity and providing needed professional development.  Pending bipartisan legislation would build on those successes and revamp the program.

Among the other major proposals as part of a $3.5 billion overall increase: $1.35 B for RttT, $500 M for i3, $200 M more for literacy and STEM, $354 more for school improvement/turnaround, $800 M more for innovative teacher and leader reforms/recruitment/preparation, and slight increases for Title I and IDEA to about $25 B total.   Included is a shift in some cases from formula to competitive programs, while much of the proposal depends upon uncertain enabling legislation through the ESEA/NCLB reauthorization.  [Note that SIIA will be further analyzing the proposal for its members in the days ahead.] 

SIIA looks forward to learning more about the Administration’s proposals, and working with the USED and other stakeholders to ensure that any new federal policy paradigm pushes real transformation  and closes the gap of educational improvement enabled by educational technologies.

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Race-to-the-Top, Prepare for the Marathon

January 26, 2010 By

Much recent attention has rightly been paid to the Race-to-the-Top (RttT), but there are a wide range of other policies and programs also driving educational investments and opportunities. 2009 lay some $100+ million in federal  education reform and improvement seeds, while Recovery Act implementation along with new legislation means 2010 is shaping up to be at least as critical  to the long-term growth of that investment and policy.  SIIA’s 2010 Ed Tech Government Forum  will help SIIA members understand the impact of Education Funding & Programs in a (Post) Stimulus World. 

SIIA members are encouraged to register by the February 1 early-bird deadline for the SIIA Forum, taking place March 3-4 in Washington, DC.  The Forum will provide SIIA members with insight on a wide range of K-20 policies and programs impacting the education sector, and do so with an eye toward the role of technology and the role of private partners. 

Speakers and Topics Include:

- CA Secretary of Ed Glen Thomas and US DoED Senior Advisor Hal Plotkin will share their inside perspectives on the their Open Educational Resources (OER) initiatives

- State and local education leaders will discuss the impact and timeline of Common Core Standards on educational publishers and developers

- US DoED’s Jim Shelton will answer all your questions about Investing in Innovation (i3)

- President Obama’s Special Assistant for Education Roberto Rodriguez will outline the Administration’s education agenda and the role of technology and e-learning

- Title I leaders will examine the newest models and opportunities around the $billions being invested in School Improvement through Title I and RttT

- Renowned RtI expert Dr. Russell Gersten will share the best policies, research and practice driving the large investments nationwide in Response-to-Intervention

- Education policy leaders will provide insight into the 2010 education agenda, including the Recovery Act, RttT, ESEA Reauthorization, and the federal education budget

- Keynotes from U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen and WV State Superintendent Steven Paine will help you understand the vision and policy prescriptions of national education leaders

Of course, all this insight and analysis will take place against a backdrop of extensive networking opportunities with education leaders from inside the beltway, and from around the country, as well as advocacy opportunities.

With the Obama Administration fundamentally reshaping federal education programs and national education policy, this is a critical year to be in Washington, DC.  More Information.

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Would Cable Industry Proposal Help Close the School-to-Home Digital Divide?

December 14, 2009 By

Among the many barriers to more (and more effective) use of technology in our schools is the lack of technology access at home.  The digital divide still exists, even in the wealthiest of communities, and education leaders are therefore often reluctant to shift core instructional/curricular functions online.  SIIA often hears this barrier raised when advocating for the modernization of state textbook adoption laws to be more e-friendly.  President Obama and the Recovery Act make closing the digital divide a priority, devoting $7.2 billion to improving broadband access.  Now, the cable industry has proposed using some of those funds for their “Adoption Plus (A+)” public-private partnership to bring broadband to the homes of millions of middle school students in low-income families. 

The proposal includes:  (1) student digital media literacy training provided through schools; (2) federal vouchers toward student purchase of Internet-enabled computers; and (3) discounted home broadband service for two years to households that do not currently receive a broadband service.  Computer manufacturers/sellers and other Internet service providers are encouraged to also offer discounts, while schools would receive an estimated $100 million in grants to help identify qualified students and provide the training.  The proposal could reach some 3.5 million students in 1.7 million homes, and the cable industry in-kind contribution could reach $572 million.  Federal officials have apparently provided initial support.

The National Cable & Telecommunications Association evidently recently submitted the proposal to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to a broader FCC request for public comment  on a series of questions on broadband for education and the E-rate program, to which SIIA also submitted comments.  Beltway ed tech pundits and lobbyists are talking about this out-of-the-box proposal.  Can this make a difference (past the 2 years), or is it just a PR move (or maybe both)?  What size voucher and discount is needed?  Will other industries (including SIIA member software and content providers) match the cable industry’s in-kind contribution?  Will the digital literacy requirement stigmatize students?  Will the funding be enough to offset school administrative and educational costs?  Is the federal government able to administer such a consumer program, seemingly far more complex than the HDTV converter box coupon program? How should “computer” be defined — what about a WiFi enabled smartphone or iPod touch? Etc. Should there be even more of a school focus and role (and funding)?

SIIA hopes that the FCC request for comments indicates that Recovery Act and other federal initiatives will, in fact, go more toward serving education needs. With thoughtful responses to the questions above, and others, perhaps the cable industry proposal can be an important element of that effort by helping reduce the school-to-home digital divide that slows the move to technology-enhanced teaching and learning in our public education system.

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Filed Under: Education, Education Policy, Policy

SIIA Participates in President Obama’s “Education to Innovate”

November 23, 2009 By

 

SIIA President Ken Wasch and I, Mark Schneiderman, Senior Director of Education Policy for SIIA, were excited and honored to be invited to the White House today for President Obama’s remarks on “Education to Innovate.”   The Administration initiative includes a “campaign to improve the participation and performance of America’s students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).” 

In support, SIIA joined a dozen other national business groups in signing a letter to the President pledging to establish and grow partnerships between our member companies and education groups, scientific societies and state leaders to improve and promote the teaching and learning of STEM-related knowledge and skills. 

Of course, many SIIA members are leading providers of software, digital content and related learning technologies critical to teaching the STEM subjects.  And SIIA is very supportive of the Race-to-the-Top priority around STEM education, and made several recommendations aimed at enhancing the role of instructional technology.   SIIA and SIIA members believe we must Innovate (our education system, practices and curriculum) to Educate.

Among the many public-private initiatives highlighted by the President was an announcements that The MacArthur Foundation and Sony are launching a nationwide challenge to design compelling, freely available, science-related video games, an area where SIIA has been a leader in advising developers and educators.

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Filed Under: Education, Education Policy, Policy
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