Technology Challenge Programs in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act

Publication Date: January 2001

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Education

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Abstract:

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, federal policymakers have been interested in the use of technology in education. This interest comes partly out of concern over poor student performance, and the idea that educational technology can improve that performance. Many policymakers feel U.S. students should receive training in school that will enable them to work in an increasingly technological environment. The federal government provides support to technology in education through several different programs. Among these initiatives are the Technology Literacy Challenge Fund, and the Technology Innovation Challenge Grant, each of which was first authorized by the Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994 (P.L. 103-382) as components of Title III of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Both programs have become part of President Clinton’s educational technology initiative, and are intended to support the development and expansion of technology in elementary and secondary schools.

The Technology Literacy Challenge Fund provides formula allocations to states for the purpose of improving technology access, education, professional development, and instruction in elementary and secondary schools. Funds are awarded to local educational agencies on a competitive basis within each state. The Challenge Fund received its first appropriation of $200 million in FY1997, with a $425 million appropriation for each of fiscal years 1998 through 2000. The FY2001 appropriation is $450 million. Program evaluations are being conducted, but have not yet been completed. The Technology Innovation Challenge Grant program provides 5-year grants to technology consortia (which must include at least one participating local school district that serves a significant percentage of low income children) demonstrating intensive use of technology in elementary and secondary education. There are currently 99 active Challenge Grant projects, 48 of which have gone to just nine states, since the program’s first competition in FY1995. Overall 36 states have received Challenge Grant funding.

Similar to the Challenge Fund, the Technology Innovation Challenge Grant program has yet to be fully evaluated. While a guide for evaluating Challenge Grant projects has been released, individual project and overall program evaluation has not been completed.

Like the rest of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Technology Literacy Challenge Fund and the Technology Innovation Challenge Grant program are expected to be considered for reauthorization in the 107th Congress. Issues that may be considered include: the effectiveness of technology in education and of these particular programs; the degree to which the programs support, complement, and expand state and local technology efforts; whether the programs complement, duplicate, or conflict with other federal efforts to support educational technology; and whether they are the best way to distribute federal support for educational technology.