The attached draft ATTAIN (Achievement Through Technology and Innovation) bill is a quick read even at 50 pages double spaced. eSCHOOL News Online reported yesterday that this draft legislationi [0] has just been included as a section (Part F) in the proposed renewal of the No Child Left Behind Act. For the first time Washington seems to get it! Itsi [0] not just about wiring and computers, and technology literacyi [0] for kids. The play for the decade is academic performancei [0] that requires an eLearningi [0] system approach that focuses on teachers and digital curriculum.
The current posted version of the NCLB legislation:
http://edlabor.house.gov/bills/MillerMcKeonNCLBDiscussionDraft.pdf [1]
does not yet have the ATTAIN language within Section F (page 368) so I will address the critical elements with phases extracted from of the initial version of ATTAIN:
Compete in 21st Century knowledge-based global economy;
Ongoing and sustained professional development for teachers (not less than 25% of total eLearning investment;
Instructional technology specialists, mentors and coaches of 1 or more per school.
Use distance learning and online mentors for professional development;
Many examples on how eLearning adoption has helped students learn;
Rigorous and relevant curriculum and courses;
States support districts to acquire most up-to-date software and computers;
State and national researchi [1] on effective digital curriculum;
Administration leadership skills;
Creative thinking, construction of knowledge and develop innovative products;
Performance based assessment portfolios;
Ongoing use of formative assessmenti [1] for individualized instruction;
Technology literacy and other skills;
Research-based systemic school redesigns;
Video streaming and conferencing, virtual simulations and distance learning;
Study how technology investments will increase efficiency and effectiveness that will save other educational costs and provide improved outcomes;
eLearning should be considered with a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis, not simply as a supplement expense;
Convene an annual forumi [1] on leadership to use eLearning to support K-12 innovation;
Create a National Center for Achievement through Technology (eLearning).
National leadership;
Identify and disseminate promising practices and programs;
Annual report to congress on teaching, learning, and research;
ADE’s Office of Educational Technology shall award 5 + 3 year grant for this center.
Grantee will be an eLearning research organization and can be in partnership with non-profit organizations, educational institutions and agencies.
Original research will be on all aspects of K-12 eLearning and most critical outreach to potential users of the results of this research.
Provide grants to other research organizations.
Wow! Where don’t we see the eSATSi [1] system design in every on of these ATTAIN attributes? It will be a major boost for our Arizona advocacy to be able to reference this “wisdom” from Washington.
Thanks to Helen Padgett ISTE Board Member and Hank Stabler AZTEA for forwarding this ATTAIN draft to me.