American Recovery & Reinvestment Act


More Changes in Store for the Traditional Textbook Model?

Rumblings of change in the textbook and instructional materials world are growing louder with a bill pending in the Texas Legislature. HB 4294 would change the enormous system of textbook acquisition and distribution in Texas by allowing school districts to use the textbook fund to purchase technologies and by creating a new, less demanding way of vetting "electronic textbooks." If HB 4294 makes it through the legislative process, the potential for change across the country is enormous.

Duncan Urges Support for 2010 Budget Blueprint

Speaking to the House Budget Committee Thursday morning, Education Secretary Arne Duncan elaborated on President Obama's 2010 budget blueprint and what it means to education.

Ed Tech Funding Up in Newly Enacted Omnibus

Following passage in the United States Senate Tuesday, the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 was signed into law March 11 by President Barack Obama. The act brings significant funds to education and education technology for the remainder of fiscal 2009 above and beyond those provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. But just how much?

US Schools Leaving Mobile Devices Idle

A new study reports that we lag behind Asia and Europe in the use of handheld technologies to enhance learning.

The Dirt on eWaste

Your district's trash might be someone else's treasure. But before discarding that unwanted hardware, you need to know the options for ecologically correct disposal.

Power Grab

By trying any means possible to scale back on energy consumption, facilities departments are also achieving deep cuts in costs.

Senate Passes Stimulus Package; Ed Tech Mostly in Tact

The United States Senate today followed the House of Representatives in passing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 as modified in the Conference Report. Some funding impacting education has been scaled back in the latest version of the legislation, while others have been partially restored from previous iterations.

Signs of a Significant Disruption in the Traditional Textbook Model

Indiana has redefined the meaning of word "textbook," opening the way for individual districts to adopt learning materials beyond state-approved, paper-bound books. And it's not alone in its quest to expand options for educators. Florida, Virginia, and Texas are also implementing or considering implementing their own changes to the traditional textbook model. Are we seeing significant cracks in the traditional way of doing business?

Dollars That Make Sense

EQUIPPING A NEW SCHOOL with the best technology can be a challenging endeavor, one filled with hard choices and runaway expenses, but it's a familiar one for Greg Lindner, director of technology at Elk Grove Unified School District.

Next-Gen Interactive Whiteboards

AN INTERACTIVE WHITEBOARD CAN BE seen one of two ways: as either a highly evolved regular whiteboard or an old-fashioned chalkboard brought to life.