The Department of Education and the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) today released The National Leadership Institute Toolkit: States Helping States Implement NCLB, a new toolkit designed to help states implement the technology requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act.
"Technology empowers the education reforms of No Child Left Behind by expanding educational opportunities for students, equipping teachers with engaging instructional tools and enabling parents to become more involved in their child's education," Secretary Paige said. "The results from the National Leadership Institute provide another example of how the department is committed to working with states to successfully implement No Child Left Behind. Even more importantly, it demonstrates what can be accomplished when state leaders work together."
The toolkit is a result of discussions from the SETDA National Leadership Institute, a national summit held in December 2002 where state leaders worked hand-in-hand with research experts and Department of Education staff to explore implementation strategies related to the technology elements of the No Child Left Behind Act.
The toolkit includes resources and best practices on topics including 1) scientifically based research; 2) technology literacy assessment; 3) common data elements; 4) effective teaching using technology; and 5) the national education technology plan. The topics were identified as the areas of greatest concern by state educational technology directors.
No Child Left Behind is the landmark education reform law designed to change the culture of America's schools by closing the achievement gap, offering more flexibility, giving parents more options and teaching students based on what works. Foremost among the four key principles is an insistence on stronger accountability for results. To achieve that, states must develop strong accountability systems or improve those already in place, establish high standards and hold all children to the same standards. They also must provide instruction by highly qualified teachers that results in steady progress and, ultimately, proficiency for all students by the 2013-14 school year.
Since the passage of No Child Left Behind, the State Educational Technology Directors Association, the principal association representing the state directors for educational technology, has been providing assistance to states in implementing the law, particularly Title II, Part D, which outlines goals and objectives for effectively using education technology to improve student performance. SETDA's goal is to improve student achievement through technology. SETDA works in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education, education associations and the corporate community.
More information about SETDA and the toolkit is available at http://www.setda.org
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