computerdisc-l: FW: [MECA-Members] IMPORTANT! - Fwd: TAKE THE NEXT STEP TODAY TOPROTECT ED TECH FUNDING

["Robin Parker" <rab3@ra.msstate.edu>]

FYI...

Robin Parker
Research and Curriculum Unit
Instructional Design Specialist
Email:  rab3@ra.msstate.edu
Web Address:  http://rcu.msstate.edu 
Phone:  662.325.2510
Fax:  662.325.3296

-----Original Message-----
From: meca-members-bounces@lists.ms-meca.org
[mailto:meca-members-bounces@lists.ms-meca.org] On Behalf Of Dr. Douglas
Belk
Sent: Monday, April 03, 2006 10:02 AM
To: abc@psdmail.k12.ms.us
Subject: [MECA-Members] IMPORTANT! - Fwd: TAKE THE NEXT STEP TODAY TOPROTECT
ED TECH FUNDING
Importance: High

** High Priority **

Dear Members:

We continue to have a funding issue at it relates to E2T2 (Enhancing
Education Through Technology).  As I've mentioned before, this is a
critical fund for technology training in the Pascagoula School District
and is the ONLY source of technology funding in many states.  

Please read the info below from the presidents of two prominent and
reputable national technology organizations and respond accordingly.

Five minutes of your time can go a long way in helping preserve
critical funding for technology in our districts and schools.  As
always, the Ed Tech Action group makes it easy as a few keystrokes to
send a powerful letter to our congressional representatives via email or
to print out and send via fax.

Thanks.

db_.


= = = = = = = = = =


>>> "Juliana Jones" <jjones@jbernsteinstrategy.com> 4/3/2006 8:53 am
>>>
Dear Ed Tech Action Network Member,

ACTION:

Call or email your Member of Congress to vote "NO" on the House FY' 07
Budget Resolution unless it includes Representative Michael Castle's
amendment that would add $7 billion to Labor, Health and Human
Services
and Education program funds. It is likely that the House will vote on
the Budget Resolution this week, so please contact your
Representatives
as soon as possible.

Go to the www.EdTechActionNetwork.org 
<http://www.edtechactionnetwork.org/>  to personalize a draft letter
that you can e-mail or fax to your Representative. You can also click
here
<http://www.congressweb.com/cweb4/index.cfm?orgcode=edtec&entry=search>
<http://www.congressweb.com/cweb4/index.cfm?orgcode=edtec&entry=search>
to find your Representative's phone number in his/her Washington, D.C.
office.

BACKGROUND:

A few weeks ago, we contacted you about how the President's Fiscal
Year
'07 Budget would eliminate the Enhancing Education Through Technology
(EETT) program entirely. You responded with a slew of emails to your
Congressional members, helping to convince many House members to sign
letters of support for EETT and to persuade the Senate to add more
funding for education programs generally in its FY '07 Budget
Resolution.

The FY '07 Budget and Appropriations process is just starting and we
will need your steadfast support at several critical junctures if we
are
to be successful convincing Congress to provide adequate education
technology funding, including:

1. When the House takes up its version of the FY '07 Budget Resolution
(next week),
2. When the House and Senate Appropriations Committees begin work in
earnest on FY '07 appropriations for education programs (during the
spring and early summer), and
3. During final negotiations on education appropriations (likely in
early September).

Being involved in the federal Budget and Appropriations processes
every
step of the way is critical to ensuring that EETT is preserved -
especially this year, when the fiscal conditions are extremely tight.
Your actions since our previous alert have made a big difference.

Now, its time to take the next step to protect EETT -- calling on the
House of Representatives to approve additional education funding in
its
FY '07 Budget Resolution. Two weeks ago, the Senate passed its version
of the Budget Resolution, which included a favorable amendment
introduced by Senators Harkin (D-IA) and Specter (R-PA), that added $7
billion in funding for education, health, and labor programs. We
understand that Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE) is planning on asking the
House
to approve an identical amendment when the House's FY '07 Budget
Resolution goes to the floor next week. But it is not even certain
that
the House will permit Mr. Castle offer the amendment, let alone
approve
it!

If the House fails to approve this amendment, or even to debate it on
the floor, we have a much smaller chance of restoring EETT funding to
its FY '05 level ($496 million) during the upcoming FY '07
Appropriations process.  

Please contact your member of Congress and urge him/her to oppose the
FY07 Budget Resolution unless it contains an additional $7 billion in
funding for labor, health and human services and education programs.

Please visit www.EdTechActionNetwork.org 
<http://www.edtechactionnetwork.org/>  to personalize and send a
letter
to your Representative or click here
<http://www.congressweb.com/cweb4/index.cfm?orgcode=edtec&entry=search>
to find your Representative's phone number in his/her Washington, D.C.
office. Your action is needed TODAY!

Thank you for all of your hard work.

Keith Krueger

CEO, Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)

Don Knezek

CEO, International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
 
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