T.H.E. News Update :: February 11, 2009 -- THE Journal

News & Issues

Senate, House Look To Reconcile Stimulus Packages; School Modernization up in the Air
The United States Senate passed its version of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Tuesday, 61-37. The Senate version of the stimulus package differs from the original House version in some significant ways that impact K-12 education--in particular in the area of school construction. Now Senators will work with members of the House to arrive at a compromise plan. More
Report: Late Graduation Pays Off
Although on-time graduation is the most desirable outcome for high school students, late graduation is significantly, quantifiably better than no graduation at all, according to a new study released this week by the Center for Public Education. The report found that "the extra work late graduates and their schools put in toward earning a high school diploma pays off in every aspect of life." More
Foundations Focus Youth Efforts on Digital Media
The Adobe Foundation, the Entertainment Industry Foundation, and the Black Eyed Peas's Peapod Foundation have joined forces to launch new programs focused on bringing digital media to kids in underserved areas. This includes the expansion of the Adobe Youth Voices program and the launch of new music and multimedia academies. More
AEC Releases New U.S. History Course
American Education Corp. has introduced a new year-long, high school-level United States History course for its A+nywhere Learning System program. More

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Gartner: Worldwide IT Spending Estimated at $6.31T for 2026

According to a Gartner forecast, worldwide IT spending will total $6.31 trillion in 2026, a 13.5% increase from 2025. Sectors experiencing the largest growth include data center systems, software, and IT services.
FCC to Conduct 'Top-to-Bottom' Review of E-Rate Program

The FCC is laying the groundwork for a comprehensive review of its E-Rate program, the federal initiative that provides K–12 schools and public libraries with discounts on internet, WiFi, and telecommunications services to ensure equitable digital access.
New CoSN Report Offers Guidance on Responsible Technology Use in Schools

A new resource from CoSN provides guidelines for creating responsible technology use policies and supporting digital citizenship in schools and districts.
Report: AI Budgets in Education Show No Sign of Decline

The vast majority of education organizations (98%) expect their AI infrastructure budgets to either increase or hold steady over the next year, according to a report from cloud storage provider Wasabi.