Over the past two years, federal leadership in educational technology has grown considerably and now includes challenge grants, other new programs, and on-line services and resources. This effort is seriously threatened by proposed budget cuts, however. Whatever the outcome, the Department is pursuing new ways to encourage and coordinate state, local, and private sector technology efforts. Access and Equity Conference presentations confirmed that most schools do not have access to newer technologies. For example, only three percent of schools provide Internet access at the classroom level, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Technology can take a school in the poorest of communities and . . .
But urban and rural schools often face such special challenges as very limited resources for technology, higher costs of installation, and citizens who lack first-hand knowledge about technology's benefits. The conference also demonstrated how technology can enhance learning for children with disabilities, limited English proficiency, and other special needs. Furthermore, technology can strengthen connections between parents and schools and provide lifelong learning opportunities for the entire community. The conference yielded several strategies for improving access to and equity in technology. The conference showed how technologies can improve teacher professional development and preservice education.