SETDA Says

NOVEMBER 16, 2020

Facebook’s COO Sheryl Sandberg has said, “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.” Candice Dodson was that leader. Sadly, we lost Candice’s bright light in July but we are here to affirm that her impact and her influence continues to be […].

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SETDA Says

OCTOBER 2, 2020

SETDA and CoSN commend the FCC for acting this week to help rural telecommunications providers offer affordable broadband to qualified students. The agency’s decision to revise tariffs for rural providers is a helpful action at this historic moment when far too many rural students lack access to online learning. More steps must be taken, however, […].

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Broadband Online Learning Accessibility Equity of Access 56

SETDA Says

SEPTEMBER 16, 2020

SETDA and CoSN commend the Wireline Bureau for opening an emergency E-rate filing window to help schools address their higher than expected on campus bandwidth demands. The Bureau’s decision will help schools support their students during a very challenging period and we appreciate the agency’s swift recognition of this on campus digital learning need. […].

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E-rate Digital Learning Equity of Access Learning 53

SETDA Says

JUNE 29, 2020

It is difficult to believe that it has been 13 years since SETDA’s 2008 journey in developing and publishing the Class of 2020: Action Plan for Education. This project included a Student Bill of Rights and a series of white papers (below). At that time, the critical topics that bubbled to the top were broadband access, […].

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Broadband Education Accessibility Instructional Materials 69

SETDA Says

JUNE 25, 2020

This guest blog post was written by SETDA partner, Monica Cougan, Product Marketing Manager, ENA Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic looks like it will continue disrupting education this fall. Schools nationwide must therefore prepare by developing remote and blended learning strategies that meet the diverse needs of the communities they serve. But here’s the good news: schools […].

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Digital Learning Blended Learning Data Learning 28

SETDA Says

MAY 27, 2020

“The most damaging phrase in the language is ‘It’s always been done that way’ ” – Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper Why do we do what we do? Is it the best way to achieve our desired outcomes? How do we know? Innovation drives improvement. It begins with good fundamentals that are […].

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SETDA Says

MAY 26, 2020

In support of state leadership, SETDA recently published the State Education Agency Considerations for CARES Act Funding as Related to Digital Learning. As state education agencies (SEAs) plan for the 2020-21 school year and work to ensure that high quality learning opportunities are available to all students, each has the opportunity to demonstrate leadership.

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Digital Learning Learning Education Equity of Access 50

SETDA Says

MAY 1, 2020

This guest blog post was written by SETDA partner, Brendan Desetti, Director of Government & Stakeholder Relations for D2L. As the school year comes to an end in many places around the country, the uncertainty of COVID-19 looms in the future. What is certain, is that while we once hoped for summer respite, the needs […].

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Equity of Access Policies Accessibility Digital Learning 64

SETDA Says

MARCH 2, 2020

This guest blog post was written by Doug Casey, Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology Introduction Imagine a breakthrough therapy that promised to improve the condition of millions of children across the country. Access to the treatment would come through scientific, research-based trials in partnership with flagship research institutes.

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Accessibility Technology Instructional Materials Education 96

SETDA Says

FEBRUARY 9, 2020

This guest blog post was written by Mineola Middle School students Luke Martinez, Emma Powers, Joseph Parrino, Catherine Dinh, & Jordan Chaver. Mineola Middle School was awarded the chance of a lifetime when we got to present at this year’s SETDA Leadership Summit in Washington D.C., where we were honored to receive the 2019 SETDA Student Voice […].

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Professional Learning Digital Learning Learning 63

SETDA Says

JANUARY 30, 2020

This guest blog post was written by East Grand’s Middle School Teacher, Jill Plummer in collaboration with students and staff. It would be an understatement to say that when our school, East Grand was recognized by SETDA as one of the five finalists for the 2019 Student Voices Award, our community was proud and excited. […].

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SETDA Says

DECEMBER 19, 2019

2019 was an action packed year for SETDA. Always working to engage state leaders, affiliates members, private sector partners, and partner organizations-SETDA developed tools and resources to support national, state, district and school leaders in the implementation of the digital teaching and learning. Collaborating with experts across the nation, SETDA’s new and updated resources are […].

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Policies Resources Education Tools 52

SETDA Says

DECEMBER 6, 2019

This is a guest post written by Cynthia Curry, Director of the AEM Center at CAST. SETDA continues an on-going partnership with CAST to support access to instructional materials and tools for all learners. The National AEM Center at CAST has enjoyed collaborating with SETDA on improving access digital materials and technologies for learners with […].

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AEM Accessibility Instructional Materials Tools 36

SETDA Says

DECEMBER 3, 2019

This is a guest post written by Dr. Kari Stubbs, Vice President, Learning and Innovation at BrainPOP. BrainPOP is a SETDA annual Gold Partner. BrainPOP was honored to partner with SETDA last month for a membership webinar on the value of efficacy research from multiple perspectives. Joining us for the conversation was Missy Greene (SETDA), DeLilah […].

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Learning Digital Learning 41

SETDA Says

AUGUST 20, 2019

In July, SETDA released the K12 Instructional Materials Dashboard. The dashboard currently includes state reviewed, full course, secondary level instructional materials for English/Language Arts and math from 13 states. Resources can be sorted by state, content area, subject area, grade level, format, publisher, adoption date and copyright date. The materials included were reviewed via independent state […].

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Instructional Materials Secondary Course Resources 37

SETDA Says

JUNE 19, 2019

SETDA strongly opposes Chairman Pai’s draft Educational Broadband Service Report & Order, which proposes to further marginalize rural students that lack access to high capacity broadband. SETDA Executive Director, Candice Dodson said, “the Chairman’s proposal cites dated uses of EBS licenses and the FCC’s two-decade failure to grant new licenses as the basis for handing […].

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Report Broadband Accessibility Equity of Access 28

SETDA Says

JUNE 13, 2019

Often when coordinating a focus group or presenting a new SETDA resources via a webinar, I mention the Why. Why do we spend the time to research and report on policies and practices? Why do leaders gather to collaborate on topics of interest? The Why always relays back to the students. State department of education […].

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Policies Report Groups Resources 52

SETDA Says

JUNE 12, 2019

SETDA opposes the FCC’s proposal to sweep the E-rate and other Universal Service Fund programs under a single budgetary cap and “prioritize” them. The USF is a vital tool for state leaders working to connect students to high capacity broadband at school and at home and this proposal threatens the system’s success. SETDA’s Executive Director, […].

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E-rate Broadband System Tools 28

SETDA Says

APRIL 17, 2019

This is a guest post written by Grace Borst, Innovation Specialist at St. Albans City School, Vermont. St. Albans City School was the 2018 Student Voices Award winner. November 4th was the first day of a unique and memorable experience for six students, two teachers, and one principal from St. Albans City School in Vermont. […].

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SETDA Says

DECEMBER 13, 2018

In preparation for the SETDA 2018 Leadership Summit, we asked attendees to identify their state’s top priorities when it comes to digital teaching and learning. There were over 30 priorities identified as a focus across the country with six priorities garnering the most energy from state leaders.

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Digital Learning Learning Personalized Learning 55

SETDA Says

AUGUST 6, 2018

SETDA encourages state agencies, school districts, and other education stakeholders to provide public comments for the FCC, Notice of Proposed Rule Making: Transforming the 2.5 GHz Band by the deadline Wednesday (August 8) or to reply to comments posted by September 7. Specifically, education leaders can express support for maintaining EBS’s educational nature, especially as a wireless broadband […].

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Broadband Equity of Access E-rate Education 31

SETDA Says

JUNE 11, 2018

Each year, I am more impressed with the quality of nominations brought forward for the SETDA Student Voices Award. Congratulations to all of the 2018 nominees! The Student Voices award honors an outstanding K-12 school or district that has leveraged technology to dramatically improve the educational experiences and achievement of their students. Winners receive the Elsie Brumback Scholarship, which […].

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Technology Personalized Learning Education Professional Learning 57

SETDA Says

MAY 16, 2018

The Senate voted (52-47) today to reject the Federal Communications Commission’s decision to eliminate the agency’s Net Neutrality protections. All Senate Democrats and three Republicans – Senator Collins (ME), Sen. Murkowski (AK), and Sen. Kennedy (LA) – supported S.J.Res.52, which was introduced by Sen. Markey (MA) earlier this year.

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Equity of Access Policies Accessibility 28

SETDA Says

MAY 14, 2018

It is time for the 2018 SETDA’s Student Voice Award Nominations. SETDA Members have the opportunity to nominate a school or district for the change to win a trip to Washington, DC and participate in SETDA’s annual Leadership Summit. If you know of a fantastic school or district that is well deserving of this award for […].

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OER Digital Learning Learning 28

SETDA Says

MAY 9, 2018

SETDA applauds Senator Markey for introducing S.J.Res.52 to restore the Federal Communications Commission’s Open Internet Regulations (OIR). State Educational Technology Leaders greatly appreciate his desire to restore the OIR and ensure Net Neutrality for the nation’s schools and other broadband users.

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SETDA Says

MAY 7, 2018

SETDA sent the following letter today to Senator Blunt, Senator Murray, Representative Cole and Representative DeLauro urging Congress to continue investing in ESSA, Title II and IV: The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) represents state education agency technology leaders from across the United States. SETDA helps state leaders promote equity by sharing evidence-based ideas and […].

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SETDA Says

MARCH 28, 2018

SETDA exists to lead, inspire, and empower the education community to leverage technology for learning. Our association serves as a forum for inter-state collaboration and cooperation, the furthering of public-private partnerships in support of public education goals, state-federal relations and advocacy, and professional learning for education leaders across the nation.

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Advocacy Professional Learning Technology Education 31

SETDA Says

MARCH 22, 2018

State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) Executive Director Tracy Weeks today issued the following statement praising Congress for increasing funding for ESSA-Title IV, the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant (SSAEG) program, in the fiscal year 2018 omnibus spending bill: “SETDA applauds Congress’s recognition that SSAEG funding needs to increase to help States and districts serve their […]

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SETDA Says

FEBRUARY 13, 2018

President Trump released his proposed FY19 Budget yesterday. Sadly, this proposal eliminates several important Federal education programs.

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SETDA Says

DECEMBER 21, 2017

2017 was a great year for state leadership for educational technology. SETDA engaged members, affiliates, private sector partners, and partner organizations around federal and state advocacy efforts and provided national leadership for broadband, digital instructional materials, and data interoperability. Below are highlights from the work of 2017. Advocacy With a new federal administration in 2017, […].

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Advocacy Broadband Instructional Materials Data 49

SETDA Says

NOVEMBER 29, 2017

On December 14, the Federal Communications Commission will vote, on a Declaratory Report and Order, and a second Order that together will eliminate the agency’s Net Neutrality regulations.

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SETDA Says

SEPTEMBER 7, 2017

SETDA Executive Director Dr. Tracy Weeks issued the following statement regarding the Senate Appropriations Committee’s approval of the fiscal year 2018 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies spending bill: “SETDA welcomes the Senate Appropriations Committee’s decision to increase funding for the Student Support and Academic Enrichment grant program, but we remain frustrated […].

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SETDA Says

SEPTEMBER 6, 2017

Guest Post from Cynthia Curry is Co-Director of the National Center on Accessible Educational Materials for Learning (AEM Center) What do you get when you combine a state educational technology director with a state accessibility expert? A partnership that results in students having digital materials and technologies that are usable for learning across the widest range of […].

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AEM Accessibility Technology Instructional Materials 47

SETDA Says

AUGUST 4, 2017

Last night, the U.S. Senate confirmed theFederal Communications Commission (“FCC”) nominations of Jessica Rosenworcel (D) and Brendan Carr (R) to serve as FCC Commissioners. This brings the FCC to its full complement of 5 Commissioners. The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) endorsed President Trump’s nomination of Jessica Rosenworcel to serve on the FCC.

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E-rate Technology Education 28

SETDA Says

JULY 12, 2017

Today, online communities are alight with a Day of Advocacy in support of keeping the current Net Neutrality rules in place. These rules were. read more.

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Accessibility Advocacy Equity of Access Instructional Materials 37

SETDA Says

MAY 23, 2017

President Trump released his proposed FY18 Budget. Sadly, this proposal eliminates several important Federal education programs. Of particular interest to state digital learning leaders. read more.

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SETDA Says

MARCH 16, 2017

During the 016 SETDA Leadership Summit, we had the priveldge of presenting during the Student Voices Luncheon. We were so thankful to have such a. read more.

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Personalized Learning Professional Learning Digital Learning Learning 28