For Immediate Release: February 11, 2015

Contact: Renée Rybak Lang, 703.740.4841, renee.lang@nasbe.org

NASBE Favors Legislation to Update the Education Technology State Grants Program

Alexandria, VA – National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) Executive Director Kristen Amundson today praised a move by Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) to update the Education Technology State Grants program. The legislation calls for the program’s inclusion in the ESEA reauthorization draft the Senate HELP Committee will soon consider.

“NASBE supports Senator Baldwin’s work to update the education technology grants program, and we urge the Senate HELP Committee to approve the legislation as part of the ESEA reauthorization process,” says Amundson. “Building educators’ capacity to use technology to prepare students for both college and careers must be a national priority, and greater federal support is needed to assist states’ transition to online assessments.”

NASBE has been a leading national voice calling for greater investments in the technology and training needed to support instruction and next-generation assessment, most recently calling for a boost in funding for E-Rate.

The organization’s Government Affairs Committee recently issued recommendations for ESEA reauthorization, urging that the new law effectively support and cultivate state and community leadership in promoting meaningful accountability, encouraging continuous improvement, and establishing systems for better supporting the nation’s educators.

The National Association of State Boards of Education represents America’s state and territorial boards of education. Our principal objectives are to strengthen state leadership in education policymaking, advocate equality of access to educational opportunity, promote excellence in the education of all students, and ensure responsible lay governance of education. Learn more at www.nasbe.org.

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