Legislators have come to that conclusion despite the lack of hard data indicating that technology does, in fact, improve academic achievement. Many states have little information on how much technology is in their schools, much less whether it is being used effectively. So far, that hasn't hindered policymakers' support. And voters are convinced that computers are an absolute necessity for schools. But Nebraska Lt. Gov. Kim Robak, a Democrat, says support for technology would increase, and the money would be better spent, if states had better data.
States are also at various stages of the process.
Some have been talking about technology for years, while others are just starting to address it. There are 51 different domains. But she and others say there are clearly some vanguards, and experts especially laud states that have tied technology to broad education reform efforts, rather than implementing technology simply for the sake of computer literacy. Experts also praise states that make teacher training a top priority in state and local technology planning. Teacher training, they say is essential to ensure that the millions of dollars invested in hardware and software are put to good use.