netTrekker Blog

EETT Funding Update – Action Needed Today

A couple of important things are happening this week that we should all be aware of as it relates to school funding for instructional technology. As I write this, I am waiting for the much anticipated guidance from the US DOE for ARRA EETT (stimulus) funds to be released. Once the guidance is released to advise schools on how they can spend the money, states will begin releasing those funds to districts and release RFPs for competitive grants. Last week we were told the guidance would be released this week. But there is another event that is going on in Congress. Last week the House Appropriations Committee approved their version of the Education funding bill for the 2010-2011 school year and it looks like it will be voted on by the House of Representatives before the August recess. It appears the Senate will also finish their work and vote on their version before the August recess. Here’s the bad news – unless Congress hears from us, their constituents, EETT funding will be reduced to $100 million (last year it was $270 million). Though things are changing and additional funding sources are beginning to open up, this is one federal funding source that districts can use specifically for instructional technology.

What can you do? Make your voice known today! Go to ETAN (Education Action Network) enter your zip code and send a message to your representatives to oppose cuts to EETT funding. http://capwiz.com/edtech/issues/alert/?alertid=13430876&PROCESS=Take+Action . Please add this to your own personal social networking sites and encourage your colleagues and friends to help get the message out. We need to do this today!

Tags: EETT Funding, Federal Funding

EETT Funding Update

According to key sources in the US Department of Education, ARRA EETT funds are slated to be released to the states by July 15th pending approval of the guidelines by OMB. School districts will begin receiving the $650 million soon after based on the states process for distributing federal funds.

EETT Funding Timeline

According to Hillary Goldman, ISTE Director of Government Affairs, the $650 million ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) for EETT (Enhancing Education Through Technology) funding will be distributed to the states and then to the districts this summer. Earlier information from the USDOE stated the money would not flow to the states until fall of 2009. This is great news as districts will now be able to better prepare for the coming school year.

Tags: EETT Funding, Federal Funding