Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT; NCLB II-D)

Texas Educator Comments

May, 2006

Technology drives the instruction and practice in my classroom. I have found students become more engaged in their learning when they are able to implement the components used in their everyday life. I use a variety of technology resources from classroom computers, interactive starboard, remote control units, as well as many hardware and software programs conducive to learning and producing a product. Students in my classroom work collaboratively in groups in order to practice a variety of basic skills. Communication and composition skills are practiced through the use of e-mail and instant chat. Behavior has decreased allowing for more instruction time. The students are eager to learn and excited about coming to class each day. Not only does the technology help improve their educational skills, but also prepares them to be productive employees in a 21st century world where technology is the foundation of business.

Amber Kent, Teacher, Brill Elementary, Klein ISD, Houston

It is imperative that funding be restored to its formal level to maintain the level of technological advance we've achieved. 3 of the 5 computers in my room were purchased prior to May of 1999 & are currently technologically obsolete! This is the direction future employment is going. We should take the lead!

Gary L. Brown, High School Art & Photography Teacher, Abiline ISD

Technology is the key to our students’ success. How can they expect to compete in the job market if they do not have skills in technology?  I teach in a low income neighborhood. Most of my students’ families do not own a computer. The only exposure to technology they receive is at school.

June TenEyck, Teacher, Dallas ISD

The education of our nation’s students has been enhanced tremendously since the introduction of technology into our schools.  . . .  As a former classroom teacher and current administrator, I have seen technology in action on many occasions. For example, when I was a 2nd grade regular classroom teacher, I had a student that failed every spelling test when it had to be written. One day I allowed Cody to take the test and type the words as a change and to try to help his frustration level. He passed the test and took his tests on the computer from there on out. What a difference technology made in his life. I had the opportunity to teach technology in a lab setting to K-5th grade students for 2 years. I don't know how to put into words the advancements and changes that I saw in those students during that time period. I was able to take them on virtual field trips to study and see The Mayflower, the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra (see and hear instruments, create our own symphony) and many other places that were too far away to visit. Without technology the adventures that our students take are so limited.  . . .  It has become integral to how and what we teach. America is the land of the free and the home of the brave . . . our students need the freedom to explore the world from home to give them the strength to brave in this ever changing world.

Kelli Erwin, Training and Support Specialist, Galveston ISD

Technology has changed the lives of everyone at Clarksville ISD and in our community!  We received the only district-wide Technology Immersion Pilot (TIP) Grant in Texas!  Integrating technology to enhance student achievement is a reality!  We must have continued funding to continue and to enhance our present and future successes!  TIP has allowed every student K-12 to have a wireless handheld or laptop in our district.  TIP has also allowed all of our staff to receive professional development in integrating technology.  Also, we have benefited from using eChalk so that all classes have webpages and our campuses and district have websites with vital links.  Our community is involved in using the technology.  One parent stated tearfully, 'Thank you so much for this opportunity for my child.  I could never have afforded to buy him a laptop to use.'  How can we stop our movement upward into technology?  Simply said, WE CAN'T!!!  Please help us to continue our tech and learning successes with continued funding for technology.  Our students deserve the opportunity to be able to compete in the world market on an even keel with all other countries.  Please enhance student achievement by keeping technology integration alive and growing with more and continued federal funding for education!

Pam Bryant, TIP Project Director, Clarksville ISD

Technology is the future for all academics and careers. Why short change our students by not providing funding which is so desperately needed. Reinstate the funding so we can prepare our students for the future.  Technology is being used in every classroom on our campus as well as two computer labs. The labs focus on reading and math remediation to bring students up to the needed grade level. Classroom computers are used to provide students with acceleration or remediation but it is extremely hard to provide help or acceleration to 20 students when you have 2-4 computers available.

Barbara Duke, Curriculum Director and Teacher, Mount Pleasant ISD

My students are Special Needs students. They are 2nd through 5th grade. They are finally able to use technology. They are learning to type, to use Word, Power Point, Publisher, the camera and the Internet.  They are learning to discover and then communicate what they have seen or found. If these students can continue to use technology they will be able to make real progress. Only if we have funding for technology will they continue.

Ben E. Goertz, Harlandale ISD, San Antonio

I teach at a charter school. 90% of students are at risk. We are able to teach and graduate most all of our students due the increase in technology. Technology keeps the students engaged, and they are constantly learning something new. We are preparing our students for the future, and without technology we would not be able teach our at risk students. Please do no take away federal funding for technology in the classroom.

Erica, Teacher, Houston Heights High School, Houston

Technology has greatly impacted our student population with lower socio economic status. It has given them a diversity of learning styles when traditional classroom delivery has been non effective.  The use of technology lets us offer many different programs to affect the diverse population in our district and the different needs they have. From credit recovery to night schools to advanced placement courses, technology plays a vital role for both input and output of knowledge.

Lee Ray Haynes, District Education Technology Specialist, Spring Branch ISD, Houston

Students are highly motivated with technology. Unfortunately, the classrooms are still lacking with the updated technology tools needed so they may succeed. Every job uses technology and our students need to be prepared. Schools cannot provide the needed materials without more support

Ada Levins, Instructional Technology Trainer, Ysleta ISD, El Paso

Technology is crucial to the success of today's students. It prepares for them for the real world. It engages students in the learning process and allows instruction to be individualized. Without EETT funding many schools will not be able to provide the required technology for teaching and learning.

Angela Allen, Taylor

Computers and online information are an increasing part of life and work these days. To prepare our students properly for this, schools need adequate funding for technology.

Betsy Ruffin, Librarian/Technologis, Cleburne ISD

Technology is a critical component in the continued success of our students. Appropriate funding of technology is vital in preparing our students for the extremely demanding and competitive world they will soon face.

Brent Harris, Director of Technology Services, Belton ISD

Our children today do not know a world without technology.  . . .  They need to be able to use the technology in the most efficient way to be able to compete in a global world. Funding for school districts is vitally important to support the education of our youth.  This is my first year to teach computers. I am astounded at what our students are capable of doing. They love to work on the computers and it is a great avenue for our struggling learners. Being in a rural district that has limited funds, we depend on state and national funding to help us get the tools we need.

Carol Gunnels, Technology Teacher, Caddo Mills ISD

If America is to remain a world leader, it is imperative that our youth learn and have access to computer technology. Technology presents a cyberspace of information and knowledge at the tips of students' fingertips. Technology surpasses the culture barriers. We are leaving our country at an extreme disadvantage to competing nations with cutbacks in education technology.

Carol Keton, Teacher, Berry Elementary, Houston ISD

In order to reach children, we must present information to them in a format with which they are comfortable.  Technology is that format.  We can modify our strategy, or we can continue to outsource jobs to other countries.

Charlie Brown, Distance Learning Facilitator, Magnolia ISD

I have personally seen the powerful and positive impact technology has made on the learning of elementary students. From students with reading and writing difficulties to the high achieving student...all have made outstanding progress that would have never been achieved without technology tools in their school and classroom. Please do not take their tools away!

Christine Jacobsen, Instructional Specialist, Lewisville ISD

Today's students must have access to technology as a way of ensuring that they will be ready for success in the 21st century workforce.  Increasingly, leaders in the economic and political world are expressing alarm that the United States is failing to ensure its prominence in the world in this century, by neglecting the need to provide its children with a 21st century education. 

Daryl Ann Borel, Executive Director, Beaumont Foundation, Beaumont

We are a 100% Title 1 school district. We are just now beginning to see the impact of EETT on the integration of technology into the classroom and the improvement of student achievement because of it. This is a critical juncture for us as I'm sure it would be for similar districts. If funding for EETT is cut the training support that has been established would be damaged and quality initiatives that have begun under the program would be lost entirely.

David Mitchell, Technology Lead Teacher, Brownsville ISD

Technology is the true key to education in this century!!!

Deborah Cloy, Master Teacher of Technology, Houston ISD

Technology literacy of our citizenry is the only way the US can compete in the 21st century world. Jobs go overseas when our citizens don't have the skills. We are in serious danger of losing our global status to countries like Japan, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, India who are focussing their education systems on Technology and the future instead of our focus on the skills of the last century. US students must have technical skills and knowledge to compete in the coming decades. EETT funding helps provide the materials and the training in technical skill areas. EETT is essential.

Debra Tate, Teacher, Pearce Middle School, Austin ISD

We are an isolated community in the middle of the Chihuahuan desert. It is 300 miles to the nearest city of any size. Our technology, made possible by federal and state funding, has made it possible to bring our schools students into the 21st century on a competitive basis. Without the funding, this poor community doesn't have a chance. Period.

Dennis McEntire, Director of Technology, Presidio ISD

Post ISD has learned that immersing a campus with technology provides many benefits to students.  Post Middle School is a part of the Technology Immersion Pilot project in Texas. Each student and teacher has a laptop and a wealth of online resources.  The school building is no longer the boundary to their learning. Please make every effort to extend this opportunity to other students across the nation.

James Easterling, Technology Coordinator, Post ISD

If you were here to see the passion with which students open up their hearts to learn when the learning tool includes technology, you would know we cannot ever go back to education without technology funding.  These kids are being prepared for the global economy, and without technology, they will not only be left behind, but will be left out altogether.

Jeanette Bueno, Teacher Technologist, Lewisville ISD

As an educator, I have yet to see anything enter my classroom that motivates students quite as much as technology. I currently have kindergartners (not an advanced class) doing independent study via United Streaming. I have had 5th graders participate in novel studies using a chat room format. Kids will do amazing things when given the motivation and excellent resources technology combines.

Jennifer Moore, Teacher, Leander ISD

DAILY I see students working at a high level thinking using technology to integrate the core curriculum into their learning.  When they get their first job the public expects the students to use databases and have basic computer skills.  The college environment demands that they know technology and are able to work in a web based environment.  If the US / Texas plans to compete we need to look at the long-term impact of the daily lessons which we teach!

Jody Rentfro, Instructional Technologist, Lewisville ISD

Education is evolving to meet the ways our students are learning today - visually and interactively, but to continue that process it needs to be funded. The call for improvements in science and math cannot be made without the technology. Students need to be able to learn using the tools they will encounter in the real world, working on problems from the real world.

Linda Martinez, Department Chair, Henry Metzger Middle School, San Antonio