The State Educational Technology Directors Association recently released its 7th annual report on the federal Enhancing Education Through Technology program.
Through surveys completed last year by the state educational technology directors from all 50 states, as well as reports from the U.S. Department of Education, the report identifies five trends in how the program, which is part of the No Child Left Behind law, is supporting technology in K-12 classrooms.
It says that states and local communities spent the funds to create student-centered, research-based, technology-rich environments; enhance professional-development opportunities; support effective use of data; boost academic achievement; and explore newer education models such as online learning, open and digital content, and Web-based teaching and learning communities.
The report also found that unlike the federal Title I program, which has historically focused on investments for elementary schools, the EETT disproportionately supports projects in middle and high schools. It says the program also provides flexibility to invest in technological innovations that meet local needs.