Elementary and Secondary Education Act Digital Learning Amendment Approved

Congratulations! Your voice was heard!
 
From The International Society for Technology in Education

On Wednesday, the senate committee that has jurisdiction over federal education programs listened to your voice and voted to include a dedicated digital learning program to its version of the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Your letters were a critical element in passing the Innovative Technology Expands Children’s Horizons (I-TECH) program.
 
ITSTE worked with Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) to craft the I-TECH program, which would replace the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) program. The I-TECH program would fund digital learning integration with a significant emphasis on professional development. In fact, 50 percent of funds allocated under I-TECH to school districts would be dedicated to professional development for digital learning.
 
Passage of this program demonstrates strong support from both Republicans and Democrats for digital learning, a rarity in an era when it is difficult to find common ground on anything. This digital learning victory is just one step in a very long process, which includes full Senate approval, passage of a House version of ESEA, and a final version approved by both chambers and the president.