Bush Budget Cuts EETT
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EETT is once again on the chopping block. In a proposed budget from the Bush administration released Feb. 4, the Enhancing Education Through Technology program (EETT) was listed among the programs recommended for zero funding. EETT is part of Title II D of the No Child Left Behind Act, designed to support the deployment and integration of educational technology into classroom instruction.
Title II D of the No Child Left Behind Act, Enhancing Education Through Technology, provides the sole source of federal funding in NCLB specifically supporting education technologies.
In explaining the cut, the United States Department of Education stated: "Schools today offer a greater level of technology infrastructure than just a few years ago, and there is no longer a significant need for a State formula grant program targeted specifically on (and limited to) the integration of technology into schools and classrooms. Districts seeking funds to integrate technology into teaching and learning can use funds from other Federal programs, such as Improving Teacher Quality State Grants and Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies."
Mary Ann Wolf, executive director of the State Education Technology Directors Association (SETDA), said the cut was not unexpected, but it was unwelcome.
Said Wolf: "Although history shows that President Bush does not support the EETT Program despite the strong scientifically based research results demonstrating significant gains in student achievement, it is still shocking that the reality of a slowing economy and America's lagging results in the international PISA tests has not convinced [him] of the importance of actually maximizing the potential of technology in our schools. Data shows that EETT makes a big difference, and SETDA respects Congress' continual understanding and investment in this program. We once again look to Congress to ensure that the tremendous gains from EETT will continue in 2009."
Funding for EETT has declined fairly consistently over the years, from $696 million in 2004 down to its current level of $267.5 million in FY 2008.
EETT was the only technology-specific item on the chopping block in the budget request, but it was far from alone. The budget proposal consisted of a total of $3.26 billion in cuts in 47 previously funded programs--ranging from the Teacher Quality Enhancement program to the Women's Educational Equity program. The complete list of programs proposed for elimination includes:
| Program Proposed for Zero Funding | FY 2008 Budget (in Millions) |
| Academies for American History and Civics | $1.9 |
| Advanced Credentialing | 9.6 |
| Alaska Native Education Equity | 33.3 |
| Alcohol Abuse Reduction | 32.4 |
| Arts in Education | 37.5 |
| B.J. Stupak Olympic Scholarships | 1.0 |
| Byrd Honors Scholarships | 40.3 |
| Career and Technical Education National Programs | 7.9 |
| Career and Technical Education State Grants | 1,160.9 |
| Civic Education | 31.9 |
| Close Up Fellowships | 1.9 |
| Comprehensive School Reform | 1.6 |
| Demonstration Projects for Students with Disabilities | 6.8 |
| Education for Native Hawaiians | 33.3 |
| Educational Technology State Grants | 267.5 |
| Elementary and Secondary School Counseling | 48.6 |
| Even Start | 66.5 |
| Excellence in Economic Education | 1.4 |
| Exchanges with Historic Whaling and Trading Partners | 8.8 |
| Federal Perkins Loans Cancellations | 64.3 |
| Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants | 757.5 |
| Foundations for Learning | 1.0 |
| Javits Gifted and Talented Education | 7.5 |
| Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnerships | 63.9 |
| Mental Health Integration in Schools | 4.9 |
| Mentoring | 48.5 |
| Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers | 2.2 |
| National Writing Project | 23.6 |
| Parental Information and Resource Centers | 38.9 |
| Physical Education | 75.7 |
| Projects With Industry | 19.2 |
| Reading is Fundamental | 24.6 |
| Ready to Teach | 10.7 |
| Recreational Programs | 2.5 |
| School Leadership | 14.5 |
| Smaller Learning Communities | 80.1 |
| Special Olympics Education Program | 11.8 |
| State Grants for Incarcerated Youth Offenders | 22.4 |
| Strengthening Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions | 11.6 |
| Supported Employment State Grants | 29.2 |
| Teacher Quality Enhancement | 33.7 |
| Teachers for a Competitive Tomorrow: Baccalaureate/Master's STEM | 2.0 |
| Tech-Prep Education State Grants | 102.9 |
| Thurgood Marshall Legal Educational Opportunity Program | 2.9 |
| Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Career and Technical Institutions | 7.5 |
| Underground Railroad Program | 1.9 |
| Women's Educational Equity | 1.8 |
| Total | $3,260.4 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education
We'll keep you updated on the proposed budget, along with reactions from education organizations. In the meantime, further information can be found at the links below.
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About the author: David Nagel is the executive editor for 1105 Media's online education technology publications, including THE Journal and Campus Technology. He can be reached at [email protected].
Proposals for articles and tips for news stories, as well as questions and comments about this publication, should be submitted to David Nagel, executive editor, at [email protected].