12.18.01

Cantwell's Technology Provision Passed as Part of Education Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell's (D-WA) amendment for technology grants to local schools passed the Senate today as part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and is now headed to the President's desk for his signature. Cantwell's amendment will help ensure the $1 billion in technology grants provided by the ESEA are effective in improving class room instruction. Her provision also authorizes $15 million for a study to determine best practices for distributing the grants. Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY) co-sponsored the Cantwell amendment.

"These education technology grants will help local schools prepare kids for the 21st century," Cantwell said. "This amendment supports the 'wired' classroom by providing schools the resources they need to integrate technology into classroom instruction and develop innovative ways to help kids learn."

The Cantwell amendment requires that recipients of federal technology grants have proposals that include development and teacher training as well as equipment. The amendment requires the Department of Education to study and evaluate the programs funded by the grants and then identify best practices for the successful use of technology in teaching. The education bill authorizes $15 million for this "best practices" study.

"This study will determine which technologies work best to improve learning. By improving kids' access to technology in schools, we expand their lifelong educational and economic opportunities," Cantwell said. "This legislation is an investment in our nation's future."

The Cantwell amendment is supported by Terry Bergeson, the Washington State Superintendent of Public Education; National Education Association; the American Federation of Teachers; Edward Lazowska, Bill & Melinda Gates Chair in Computer Science, University of Washington; Patricia Wasley, Dean and Professor in the College of Education, University of Washington; SchoolTone Alliance; Microsoft; AOL Time Warner; Sun Microsystems; Business Software Alliance; Business Roundtable; and Computer & Communications Industry Association.