SIIA Backs Findings & Recommendations of the National Education Technology Plan

SIIA Backs Findings & Recommendations of the National Education Technology Plan

U.S. Department of Education Report Highlights Need for Increased Investment in e-Learning

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) today announced its support for the findings and recommendations of the U.S. Department of Education's National Education Technology Plan: Toward a New Golden Age in American Education.

The product of more than 18 months of outreach and deliberation, the plan establishes a national vision and strategy that supports the effective use of technology to improve student academic achievement and prepare them for the 21st Century. In developing the Plan, the Department found that the potential benefits of technology on student achievement and future preparedness are manifold. Carefully selected and applied classroom technologies engage today's internet savvy students, individualize instruction, extend learning opportunities and equip educators with effective, real-time productivity tools.

"We have an obligation to prepare our students for life in an increasingly interconnected, technology driven world," said Ken Wasch, president of SIIA. "We can't expect them to compete effectively in the global economy of tomorrow unless we start preparing them today."

The Plan proposes a cohesive nationwide strategy to accelerate the deployment of e-learning. Recommendations include expanded high-speed classroom connectivity, investment in digital content, increased availability of virtual schooling, integration of education data systems, and aggressive training for teachers and administrators.

SIIA was an active participant in the Plan's development, submitting recommendations, participating in outreach activities, and organizing forums for SIIA members to submit their comments directly to Department officials. A number of key SIIA recommendations were included in the Plan, including around digital content, budgeting, and leadership and training.

"The National Education Technology Plan affirms the importance of e- learning technologies to help transform schooling and engage today's students toward achieving academic success and 21st century preparedness," said Mark Schneiderman, SIIA's director of education policy. "We appreciate Secretary of Education Paige's leadership in this area, and look forward to working with Secretary of Education Nominee Margaret Spellings on the Plan's implementation and the realization of its goals for technology-enhanced teaching and learning."

SIIA has long been a leader in the area of education technology. It has worked with educators and policymakers to improve e-learning opportunities. Current SIIA initiatives include advocacy for state textbook adoption reform that supports electronic instructional materials, and issuance of Guidelines for Improving the RFP Process to help educators improve their competitive bid process for educational technologies.

For more information on the SIIA's recommendations to the U.S. Department of Education's National Education Technology Plan visit: http://www.siia.net/govt/docs/pub/NationalEdTechPlanRecommendations_July03.pdf For more information on other SIIA education-related initiatives, including the RFP and Textbook adoption initiatives, visit: http://www.siia.net/education.

About SIIA

The Software & Information Industry Association is the principal trade association for the software and digital content industry. SIIA provides global services in government relations, business development, corporate education, and intellectual property protection to more than 700 leading software and information companies. For further information, visit http://www.siia.net/

About SIIA Education Division

SIIA's Education Division participates, shapes and supports the education industry by providing leadership, advocacy and critical marketing information to promote the success of education technology and content providers. Our companies include market leaders as well as hundreds of small and medium-sized companies that are driving innovation in this competitive environment. With the leadership of the Education Division Board, this division considers issues and projects that are of special interest to members in the education technology market.


Source: Software & Information Industry Association

CONTACT: Mark Schneiderman, Director, Education Policy, +1-202-289-7442,
ext. 1329 or David Williams, Public Relations, +1-202-289-7442, ext. 1362,
both of the Software & Information Industry Association

Web site: http://www.siia.net/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/803080.html


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