EDC 668 - Week 5 Blog

How do NCLB and the Spellings Commission affect change in the use of educational technology?

Addressing NCLB's stance of education and my thoughts about how it may affect educational technology, I see schools underperforming and therefore receiving less government stipend funding for technology programs. Those schools that fail to meet the numerical achievement standards will face "punishment" in areas that could likely provide the funding for education programs.

I know that NCLB has been in hot debate since it's arrival about 7 or so years ago, but I am not blogging about my opinion-- moreso of how I see technology education changing because of its arrival. With NCLB, standards are expected to be met and optimal test scores are expected to be achieved. With a fear that they may not hit the marks and lose their funding, schools put aside programs that are good for student achievement, growth, etc. to teach the standards and as some say, 'teach to the test.' Certainly not jumping to any major conclusions, I do see a concern for putting programs like art, music, technology, and physical education on the backburner as teachers struggle to fulfill every tiny category of the standards to be ready for May testing.

As for higher education and the Spellings Commission's accreditation (debate), I feel that educational technology could actually benefit them. There are strict regulations in place for higher education sources to keep high standards... and that's a great thing. The wonderful thing I find about higher education is their ability to make their own rules when it comes to specific standards... so long as those standards are high enough for the DOE. With this freedom... for lack of a better term, schools are pushed to become better than yesterday so they can maintain their funding and status as an "accredited program or university."

This section was pulled from the article that I learned most about:
The process is used largely to help institutions improve themselves, but it also serves as the closest thing higher education has to an externally applied stamp of approval. Although it rarely happens, the agencies have the authority to pull an institution’s accreditation, and with it the ability of its students to receive federal financial aid.

Yes, as I see the article... they have highlighted the best (and worst) the process has to offer. But... what I valued most from reading that was that it requires institutions to improve themselves... which is where I think educational technology may place its footprint. With their need to constantly improve themselves, incorporating technology may be just the extra addition they can add to improve their programs and be "good enough" for the DOE.