eChalk Selected to Take Part in "The Future of Learning: How Technology is Transforming Public Schools" Hearing and Showcase on Capitol Hill

Strengthening the School/Home Connection and Connecting School Stakeholders Seen As Critical in Building Technology-Rich Classrooms of the Future That Increase Student Achievement and Teacher Effectiveness

WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 16, 2009 – eChalk was honored to showcase its solutions and services to members of Congress and education reformers who were among the hundreds gathered on Capitol Hill today to experience firsthand cutting-edge education technology as it is being used in some schools across the country. The showcase, "Bringing the Future of Learning to Schools Today," hosted by the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) and the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), followed a congressional hearing before the House Education and Labor Committee, "The Future of Learning: How Technology is Transforming Public Schools," presenting a unique opportunity for policymakers and education leaders to examine how technology is transforming our education system and the vital role it plays in keeping America globally competitive.You can read witness testimony, check out pictures and view the archived webcast here.

U.S. Representative George Miller (D-CA), Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, opened the hearing by saying, “...But school today, for far too many kids, does not look like the rest of their world, and does not capitalize on technology’s potential to engage students and improve learning. One critical element of learning in the future must be to provide technology-rich classrooms to all students. Research shows that when technology is systemically integrated into classrooms and used by digitally-savvy staff, it can improve teacher effectiveness and student achievement, and reduce the dropout rate. And, as my grandkids tell me, it makes school a lot more fun.” Chairman Miller also noted that this is the first of a series of hearings on this critical topic.

One of the hearing witnesses was Abel A. Real, a graduate of Greene County Schools in North Carolina, who is now a college sophomore. Real testified, "I had a laptop and I used technology in every classroom and through technology, I had acess to my teachers and classmatees 24 hours a day, 7 days a a week...the integration of technology opened the world to me." He went on to speak about the impact technology had in his schools, not only on college readiness, dropout reduction and teacher quality, but also on overall community perception and pride. eChalk works with Greene County Schools to help their students, teachers, parents and school leaders safely and easily use the web to connect to information and each other so that they can communicate more effectively and address 21st century teaching and learning goals.


Attendees at the Capitol Hill showcase explored the latest education technologies, including interactive white boards, virtual frog dissection, online teacher training and courses, video streaming clips, and math and reading software and simulations. The showcase’s learning environments and hands-on kiosks emphasized how technology can help better address education’s timeliest issues, such as data-driven decision making through online assessment, personalized learning and differentiated instruction through instructional software and distance learning, and teacher quality through online training and ongoing virtual professional communities.

“The showcase reflected an increased understanding that classroom technology and innovation are essential to the future of learning and American competitiveness,” said Mark Schneiderman, Senior Director of Education Policy for SIIA. “Without the types of technology we saw today, America simply won’t be able to guarantee that our students – and our nation – can continue to lead in the global economy. SIIA calls on policymakers to provide the investment and leadership necessary to ensure our schools and educators have the innovative tools demonstrated today – tools that promise a world-leading education for all students.”

“As we gather more and more solid data on the results of the federal Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) program on student learning, it becomes increasingly essential that companies, policymakers, and educators work together to further integrate technology into schools,” said Mary Ann Wolf, Executive Director of SETDA. “States are embracing technology as a way to positively impact student achievement. For example, in South Carolina, sustained professional development has encouraged the effective integration of technology to facilitate student achievement across the state.”

Members of Congress, including the Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, George Miller (CA), experienced firsthand the education technologies featured as part of the showcase. The technologies exhibited were from Apple Inc., Carnegie Learning, CAST, CTB McGraw-Hill, Discovery Education, eChalk, Educate Online, ESRI, ExploreLearning, Florida Virtual School, Froguts, Intel, Oracle Education Foundation, PBS Teacherline, Pearson, PolyVision, Promethean, SAS, Scholastic Inc., School Improvement Network, SchoolNet, SMART Technologies, Thinkfinity - Verizon Foundation, Thinkronize, Tutor.com, and Wireless Generation. Participants were selected to represent the full depth and breadth of technology's role in improving teaching and learning.

About eChalk

Founded 10 years ago and headquartered in New York City, eChalk is the leading online education network designed specifically for K-12 learning communities. Built with teacher and student success in mind, eChalk helps districts streamline instruction, communication and professional development through a secure online environment that connects administrators, teachers, students and parents in a school, district, ESA or state. eChalk’s easy-to-use and customizable tools—including websites, email systems, intranets and Web 2.0 technologies—help districts address individual learning needs, cultivate 21st century learning skills and engage students in an “online classroom,” a safe space that extends the classroom experience. eChalk solutions can be customized to meet district needs and include comprehensive service and support. For more information, visit eChalk’s website at www.echalk.com.

About SETDA

The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) is the principal association representing the state directors for education technology. SETDA works in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education, education associations, and the corporate community in an effort to promote national leadership in education technology; provide professional development in educational leadership for members; and build partnerships and provide leadership to advance learning opportunities. SETDA’s membership includes educational technology directors and staff from the state departments of education of all fifty states, the District of Columbia and American Samoa. More information on technology’s role in 21st century education and workforce development policy can be found at SETDA’s Class of 2020: Action Plan for Education project. This project includes the development of publications on broadband access for kids; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; technology-based assessments; teacher professional development; and virtual learning opportunities.

About SIIA

The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) is the principal trade association for the software and digital content industry. SIIA provides global services in government relations, business development, corporate education and intellectual property protection to 500 leading software and information companies. For further information, visit www.siia.net.

Contact

Paul Kuhne, Director of Marketing, eChalk, 800.809.3349 ext. 3538, pkuhne@echalk.com