Key Facts
- A number of start-up technology companies were interested in seeing language added to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) in support of increased use of technology in schools
- A coalition of eight groups worked with us on advocacy strategy and a Congressional strategy
- We were able to garner the support of the Senate Committee of Jurisdiction and language was added to ESEA promoting technology over paper transfer of information as well as funding to develop taking the concepts to scale
The Situation
During the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), a number of start-up technology companies were interested in seeing language added to the law in support of increased technology use in schools. The issue involved both the addition of substantive language and shifting of schools to move to technology-based learning as well as funding.
The Approach
Our approach was to garner the support of both established and start-up technology companies to join a coalition that we facilitated to work on the issue. The coalition consisted of eight groups who worked with us on advocacy strategy as well as a Congressional strategy.
The Outcome
We were able to garner the support of the Senate Committee of Jurisdiction and language was added to ESEA promoting technology over paper transfer of information as well as funding to develop taking the concepts to scale. An ongoing challenge remains in the lack of accommodation for students with disabilities, which we will work on in special education reauthorization.