Bush Budget Cuts EETT

##AUTHORSPLIT##<--->

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 FundingFY 2008 Budget (in Millions)
Academies for American History and Civics$1.9
Advanced Credentialing9.6
Alaska Native Education Equity33.3
Alcohol Abuse Reduction32.4
Arts in Education37.5
B.J. Stupak Olympic Scholarships1.0
Byrd Honors Scholarships40.3
Career and Technical Education National Programs7.9
Career and Technical Education State Grants1,160.9
Civic Education31.9
Close Up Fellowships1.9
Comprehensive School Reform1.6
Demonstration Projects for Students with Disabilities6.8
Education for Native Hawaiians33.3
Educational Technology State Grants267.5
Elementary and Secondary School Counseling48.6
Even Start66.5
Excellence in Economic Education1.4
Exchanges with Historic Whaling and Trading Partners8.8
Federal Perkins Loans Cancellations64.3
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants757.5
Foundations for Learning1.0
Javits Gifted and Talented Education7.5
Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnerships63.9
Mental Health Integration in Schools4.9
Mentoring48.5
Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers2.2
National Writing Project23.6
Parental Information and Resource Centers38.9
Physical Education75.7
Projects With Industry19.2
Reading is Fundamental24.6
Ready to Teach10.7
Recreational Programs2.5
School Leadership14.5
Smaller Learning Communities80.1
Special Olympics Education Program11.8
State Grants for Incarcerated Youth Offenders22.4
Strengthening Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions11.6
Supported Employment State Grants29.2
Teacher Quality Enhancement33.7
Teachers for a Competitive Tomorrow: Baccalaureate/Master's STEM2.0
Tech-Prep Education State Grants102.9
Thurgood Marshall Legal Educational Opportunity Program2.9
Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Career and Technical Institutions7.5
Underground Railroad Program1.9
Women's Educational Equity1.8
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.

More Information:

Get daily news from THE Journal's RSS News Feed


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].

Featured