06.13.01

Senate Passes Cantwell-Enzi Technology in Teaching Amendment

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) today announced Senate passage of "Developing Best Practices for Technology in Education," an amendment to the education bill coauthored by her and Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY).

"To educate and prepare kids for the 21st century, we need to give school districts more than computers and Internet access," Cantwell said. "This amendment builds on the "wired" classroom by providing local schools the tools they need to integrate technology into daily classroom instruction and develop innovative ways to help kids learn."

Cantwell said schools have made progress in providing access to computers and the Internet, but access alone is not enough. A February 2001 Net Day study shows that 97 percent of teachers have access to some computer technology, but only 32 percent were integrating computers in classroom learning. Clearly, schools need help integrating technology into the curriculum and using it to enhance learning.

The Cantwell-Enzi amendment will provide federal technology grants to local schools to acquire resources, train teachers and develop curriculum. The amendment also requires the Department of Education to study and evaluate the programs funded by the grants and then recommend a national technology model in order to determine how technology can be a successful tool for teaching.

The Cantwell-Enzi amendment makes money available in fiscal year 2002 for states to allocate, on a competitive basis, to local school districts.

"Technology in the hands of committed parents and well trained teachers is one of the most powerful tools we have to improve learning and prepare students for the high-tech work force," said Jack Krumholtz, Microsoft's Director of Federal Government Affairs. "We applaud Senator Cantwell for her leadership and vision on this important issue, and we share her commitment to providing educators with the tools and training they need to make technology an integral part of the classroom."

"School districts will be able to purchase equipment; train teachers, giving them the opportunity to learn to maximize available technology; and develop curriculum that integrates technology to enhance student learning," Cantwell said.

The Cantwell-Enzi amendment also requires the Secretary of Education to report, within three years, on the effectiveness of three principles - resource acquisition, teacher training and curriculum development. This report will provide the federal government with the tools it needs to develop best practices for the use of technology in education, which will provide opportunities for other school districts to adopt proven programs.

"By making this commitment to our public schools, the effective use of technology will be a tool for learning," Cantwell said. "Local school districts will get the support they need to prepare students for the 21st century."

The Cantwell-Enzi amendment is supported by Terry Bergeson, the Washington State Superintendent of Public Education; 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; Computer & Communications Industry Association; Business Software Alliance; Business Roundtable; SchoolTone Alliance; AOL Time Warner; Microsoft; Sun Microsystems; National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers.