Overview
The No Child Left Behind Act, the
reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act in 2001,
represents a most significant effort to transform our K-12 education
since ESEA was enacted in 1965. It redefines the federal role in K-12
education and demonstrates determination to help close the achievement
gap between disadvantaged and minority students and their peers. Four
major principles are highlighted in this sweeping reform effort:
1. stronger accountability for results,
2. increased flexibility and local
control,
3. expanded options for parents, and
4. emphases on teaching methods that
have been proven to work.
Title II, Part D – Enhancing Education Through Technology
The reauthorization of ESEA represents a clear commitment to
transforming the Federal role in education so that “No Child is Left
Behind.” At the heart of this effort is a commitment to focus on
students, equip teachers, empower parents, and inform decision makers to
ensure every child receives a quality education. The No Child Left
Behind Act of 2001 advances this commitment by providing a number of
exciting reforms, tools and programs, many of which are reliant on the
appropriate and effective use of technology. In a target effort to
improve student achievement through the use of technology, an new
educational technology program, namely, Enhancing Education Through
Technology is outlined in Title II D of NCLB.
Besides EETT Ed Tech Program, technology has been recognized in the NCLB
Legislature as a powerful tool to connect the dots and enhance teaching
and learning capacities in various ways in different program areas:
Focus on Student Academic Achievement:
NCLB has placed an unmistaken
focus student academic achievement and translated that priority
throughout various education programs and initiatives. The Ed Tech
Program (EETT) is designed to improve student academic achievement
through expanded learning opportunities, innovative teaching and
learning environment, effective teaching and learning process as a
result of integrative use of technology by teachers and students.
Integrative Approach to Education Programs: Besides
targeted funding for technology, many of the education programs, such as
Reading First, Teacher Quality Assurance, etc., allow recipients to
acquire and integrate technology resources to accomplish various
program’s goals and objectives.
Emphasis on
Professional development:
A range of programs offer funds for
professional development to ensure teachers understand how to integrate
appropriate technology tools effectively with their curriculum and into
their classroom teaching and learning. Encouragement of partnership
between K-12 and higher education communities will bridge the gap in
teacher preparation between in-service and pre-service boundaries.
Additional resources are made available for teacher preparation
initiatives.
Evidenced Based
Education: Throughout
the No Child Left Behind Act is a commitment to funding
strategies that have been proven to work based on research-based models
and promising practices. A commitment to researching what works along
with measuring the impact technology has on instruction and learning is
evidenced by the focus placed on state evaluations along with a national
multi-year study intending to explore the conditions needed for
effective use of technology.
New York State Education
Department
Office of Curriculum and Instructional
Support:
Education Technology Programs
89 Washington Ave 315 EB
Albany, NY 12234 | 
