An Educator's Guide to Funding Issues
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Introduction
As major education and technology initiatives are introduced and instituted only to be replaced with other initiatives, so technology funding faces its yearly battle for existence. By examining the U.S. technology access statistics, the gap between those with access and those without has narrowed. Unfortunately, many local, state, and federal leaders see those statistics and decide that technology no longer needs the same funding. However, schools and libraries continue to require funds for software, maintenance, and professional development.
Funding Available
E-rate
E-rate, the program which provides discounted Internet and telecommunications access to schools and libraries, is still in existence since its inception in 1997 despite Congressional measures to eliminate the program (FCC & NETC 2002). The discounts for schools are calculated based on the number of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. Click here for the discount matrix.
Federal Grants
Some examples of federal technology grants include:
These programs, among others, are currently under debate in Congress. In his 2003 budget proposal, President Bush eliminated these programs in favor of technology block grants to states, as proposed in his education initiative No Child Left Behind. On July 16, 2002, a Senate subcommittee approved keeping these programs in the 2003 budget (Battle 2002). The subcommittee also approved maintaining the $700.5 million funding for the existing block grant program, Enhancing Education through Technology. In contrast, the House is expected to vote against maintaining TOP, CTC, PT3, and other similar technology programs (Battle 2002).
President Bush is supporting block grants in which the states will decide how the technology money will be dispersed. Some education technology organizations, such as the Benton Foundation, oppose the block grants and wish to see the current programs maintained or their funding increased (Battle 2002). Which plan is better for schools? The answer probably depends on the state. However, entrusting the money to the states may help some while simply widening the technology gap in others with no consistent program throughout all fifty states.
State & Local Funding
State and local funding of education technology depends largely on the technology vision and dedication of the particular state or local school board. Parents, teachers, and education organizations must continue to push the state and local leaders to establish consistent funding for technology. The initial expenditure for hardware is not sufficient. Schools need funds for software, teacher training, and ongoing maintenance in order to best use the technology available.
Private Grants
The competition and requirements for private grant acquisition may be daunting, but there are numerous foundations, businesses, and organizations willing to grant money to worthwhile education technology projects. The following list developed by the Benton Foundation is only a starting point for finding grant funders.
Recommended Sites:
An Educator's Guide to Access Issues (1999)
The Buck Stops Here: Debunking Five Common Ed-tech Budget Myths
Federal Communications Commission: E-rate
George Lucas Educational Foundation
References:
Battle begins over federal ed-tech funding (July 22, 2002). Retrieved July 22, 2002 from http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/showStory.cfm?ArticleID=3864
Benton Foundation (2002). Funders supportive of communications technology. Retrieved July 25, 2002 from http://www.benton.org/Practice/Toolkit/techmoney.html
Federal Communications Commission (2002). E-rate. Retrieved July 23, 2002 from http://www.fcc.gov/learnnet/
No Child Left Behind Website (2002). The facts about 21st century technology. Retrieved July 22, 2002 from http://www.nochildleftbehind.gov/start/facts/21centtech.html
Northwest Educational Technology Consortium (2002). E-rate primer overview. Retrieved July 22, 2002 from http://www.netc.org/fcc/overview/overview.html
This page was completed as a course project for:
EPS 304