[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 7, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1984-S1985]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CRAPO:
  S. 473. A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 to improve training for teachers in the use of technology; to the 
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Training 
Teachers for Technology Act of 2001, a bill to allow states to provide 
assistance to local educational agencies to develop innovative 
professional development programs that train teachers to use technology 
in the classroom.
  As your know, education technology can significantly improve student 
achievement. Congress has recognized this fact by continually voting to 
dramatically increase funding for education technology. In fact, in 
just the programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, 
ESEA. Federal support has grown from $52.6 million in Fiscal Year 1995, 
to over $700 million just five years later. As we debate the upcoming 
reauthorization of ESEA, I will be working to support legislation that 
builds on the strong educational technology infrastructure already in 
place in school districts in nearly every state.
  But we need to do more than simply place computers in classrooms. We 
need to provide our educators with the skills they need to incorporate 
evolving educational technology in the classroom. My bill does exactly 
that. It will encourage states to develop and implement professional 
development programs that train teachers in the use of technology in 
the classroom. Effective teaching strategies must incorporate 
educational technology if we are to ensure that all children have the 
skills they need to compete in a high-tech workplace. An investment in 
professional development for our teachers is an investment in our 
children and our future.
  Specifically, the legislation I am introducing today would allow 
local education agencies to apply once for all teacher training 
technology programs within the National Challenge Grants for Technology 
in Education, the Technology Literacy Challenge Fund, and

[[Page S1985]]

Star Schools. The U.S. General Accounting Office reported that there 
are more than thirty federal programs, administered by five different 
federal agencies, which provide funding for education technology to K-
12 schools. My measure would reduce the financial and paperwork burden 
to primarily small, poor, rural districts that don't have the resources 
to hire full time staff to handle grant writing for all of these 
different programs. Instead, schools would be able to apply once for 
federal technology assistance, and then combine their funds to develop 
a comprehensive program that integrates technology directly into the 
curriculum and provides professional development for teachers. My bill 
adopts the principles of simplicity and flexibility. This is what 
schools are asking for, so this is what we should give them.
  My legislation helps those smaller schools that might ordinarily be 
unfairly disadvantaged through traditional grant programs. Idaho's 
public schools are excelling rapidly in their understanding of how 
technology can enhance the teaching and learning environments in 
Idaho's classrooms. I would like to extend this same empowerment to 
public schools throughout the nation. Investing in technology training 
for teachers will make a significant difference in the lives of our 
children.
  An opportunity has arisen where we, Members of the United States 
Senate, are able to help many students who face unique challenges and 
uncertain futures. I hope you agree that a strong technology component 
for all students is necessary and essential in facilitating student 
achievement, and that through proper professional development our 
children will be provided an unparalleled opportunity for a better 
education.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and work for its 
inclusion in the reauthorization of the ESEA.
                                 ______