Ed Tech Action Network

1. Ed Tech Action Network Michael R Porter Eastern Upper Peninsula I.S.D.

2. The Problems • Declining Funding • Targeted Funding • USF • Legislated restrictions

3. Declining Funding – FY06 Budget Request Title I $13.3 billion, $603 million increase Title II, A $2.9 billion, no change Title II, D $0, $496 million decrease PT3 $0 Star Schools $0, $20.8 million decrease CTC $0, $4.96 million decrease State Data $24.8 million, no change

4. Declining Funding Appropriations • Discretionary funds shrinking, due to increasing budget deficit and other national focuses • Education programs competing against each other • Michigan’s FY05 allocation $15.8 million

5. Michigan's Share • Michigan FY06 Allocation $8.6 m 1.6 million for projects

6. Targeted Funding • Increasingly funds are flowing from the Federal Government with tighter controls. • State Legislators are imposing further controls on funds before releasing them to MDE

7. E-Rate: Clouds on the Horizon • One-year exemption from the Anti Deficiency Act, need for new exemption or legislative fix • Waste, Fraud and Abuse cases still under scrutiny • E-Rate up for reauthorization in the Telecommunications Act

8. Legislated restrictions • Deleting Online Predators Act (DOPA) (H.R. 5319) • The proposal would force any school or library that receives government funding to block access to any web site that "allows users to create web pages or profiles that provide information about themselves and are available to other users, and offers a mechanism for communication with other users, such as a forum, chat room, eMail, or instant messenger."

9. I’m just a bill

10. The Network • ISTE and CoSN together form the Ed Tech Action Network. • The network includes an interactive website, advocacy training, draft advocacy letters, legislative updates and policy backgrounders. • www.edtechactionnetwork.org

11. Why is the Network Needed? • Federal funds for ed tech are decreasing. • Policy makers are questioning the value of the investment. • E-Rate program is under greater scrutiny. • Reduction of state funds for Ed Tech. • Homeland security and war effort decrease available amount of Ed Tech funding.

12. Lobbying or Advocacy? All individuals can lobby – on their own time, using own funds, and representing themselves State government representatives must follow individual state rules Everyone can advocate Basic Concepts

13. What is Lobbying? • Direct lobbying: when an organization attempts to influence specific legislation by stating its position or urging a legislator to support, oppose or otherwise take action on a bill or proposed legislation. • Grassroots lobbying: when an organization urges the public to take action on specific legislation.

14. What is not considered lobbying? • Responding to written requests from legislative body for technical advice on pending legislation, even if you take a position, e.g. hearing testimony. • Discussing broad social, economic and similar policy issues whose regulations would require legislation.

15. What is not considered lobbying? • Making available the results of nonpartisan analysis, study or research on a legislative issue that you have developed, even if you take a position on the legislation. But the analysis: • must be generally public • contain facts needed to enable readers to form independent opinions • not include a call to contact legislators

16. What to do if you just want to advocate? • YOU CAN: • Communicate directly with legislators and staff • Tell them how Ed Tech improves teaching and learning • Explain how federal funds and programs are making a difference • Discuss the implementation of existing laws • Provide analysis or research BUT do not support or oppose specific legislation or legislative proposals

17. Grassroots Advocacy • Community-based advocacy to impact policy makers. Helps set legislative agenda for members. • Leverages voting power • Disseminates information on local impact of federal programs and policies • Provides expertise and hands-on experience • Personalizes the issue

18. Building and Bringing People Together to Create a Coalition • Whole > sum of parts • Formation of coalition = better visibility for policy makers • Bring different strengths/perspectives • Recruit parents, teachers, educators, industry leaders, and local businesses

19. Advocacy 101 Ways to Participate: • Meet with policy makers • Write policy makers • Call policy makers • Invite policy makers to events, e.g. back to school • Schedule photo-ops

20. Advocacy 101 Tip 1: Make an Appointment • Schedule an appointment with a member of Congress or his/her staff at least a couple of weeks in advance. • Be flexible, members and staff are very busy. • Please be patient and arrive on time!

21. Advocacy 101 Tip 2: Prepare for your meeting • Prepare any material that you will need for your meeting, including background information, facts, and statistics. • Research your member’s position on your issue. • Use your member’s website or the Library of Congress website at http://thomas.loc.gov/

22. Advocacy 101 Tip 3: Stay on Message • Be polite and brief. • Provide a direct link between your issue and the welfare of your region. • Include a personal story highlighting the importance of the issue. • Present yourself as a resource and be sure to answer any questions. • Thank the member for his/her past support on various issues.

23. Advocacy 101 Tip 4: Continue the Relationship • Write or email your member thanking them for the opportunity to discuss the issue. • Provide regular updates on what is happening in the district and/or state. • Involve the member by inviting them to visit, especially for events and launches of new projects.

24. The Network - Sign Up Today • ISTE and CoSN together form the Ed Tech Action Network. • mporter@eup.k12.mi.us • www.edtechactionnetwork.org