CoSN Advocacy & Policy

CoSN maintains a strong and effective voice in policy formation and implementation at the federal level to ensure that legislation supports and promotes the power of technology to transform learning. Our advocacy efforts include an annual policy summit and ongoing mechanisms to provide educators with the tools and training necessary to be powerful advocates for the value of education technology.

This year efforts to rewrite the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and to reinvigorate its education technology component -- EETT will continue. We will also see renewed efforts to expand broadband, with the E-Rate expected to play a major role. In addition, national plans for education technology and broadband will be released in 2010, which will lead to major legislative and administrative initiatives. Finally, the Obama Administration continues to tout technology as the key to innovating in and transforming our schools. We expect a myriad of initiatives involving ed tech – at the White House, at the Departments of Education and Commerce, at the Federal Communications Commission, and in Congress – throughout 2010. CoSN will be at the table and deeply involved in all of these undertakings. 

Join the EdTech Action Network (ETAN) and join a growing number of educators across the nation who are making their voices heard in support of education technology. ETAN provides a forum for educators and others to engage in the political process and project a unified voice in support of a common cause – improving teaching and learning through the systemic use of technology. If you are not a member of the ETAN, join now.

Recent Activities for 2010

CoSN, along with almost 400 other state and national organizations, signed a letter to the House and Senate requesting at least a $21 billion increase over last year’s budget for critically important issues.

Over 70 organizations, representing educators, state and local education leaders and public officials, and the high-tech industry, sent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee urging funding for EETT at a minimum of $500 million for FY 2011. Read a copy of the letter sent on April 30, 2010.

On April 15, twenty-one senators, including six from the HELP Committee, signed a letter to the appropriations chairmen and ranking member asking for $500 million for EEIT. Read the letter here.

CoSN joined with leading education associations and ed tech companies supporting education technology issues in the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). A joint letter was sent to House Education Committee Chairman Miller and Ranking Member Kline on March 26, 2010.

Washington Update 

CoSN publishes a monthly e-newsletter for members-only called the Washington Update. Written by the Bernstein Strategy Group, under the direction of Jon Bernstein CoSN’s legislative consultative, this timely and informative update is one of the many benefits afford to CoSN members. CoSN is a leading voice on Capitol Hill, with the Administration, and USED for ed tech issues. 

Log onto MyCoSN to read back issues or to update your membership record so you receive this online newsletter each month.   

2009 Accomplishments

CoSN accomplished a great deal through its advocacy efforts this past year:

• Recruited more than 16,000 educators to be part of our ETAN advocacy network – educators who contact their Members of Congress in support of ed tech.
• Generated more than 50,000 messages to Congress in 2009
• This online activism, combined with in-person advocacy on Capitol Hill, has preserved the E-Rate program, led to $650 million in additional ed tech funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and maintained funding for the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) program. 

Join the Friends of Advocacy

The major benefit of being a Friend of Advocacy—either as a Corporate or Individual member -- is the knowledge that you are making a difference in improving the educational experiences of students.

FOA Corporate Donors

Learn more about the levels, benefits, and recognition at the corporate donor level. Become a Friend of Advocacy by filling out the donor form.  Join the selected list of donors.

FOA Individual Donors

Learn more about the levels, benefits, and recognition at the individual donor level. Become a Friend of Advocacy by filling out the donor form. Join the selected list of donors.

Charlie Garten Ed Tech Advocate Memorial Fund

CoSN has established the Charlie Garten Ed Tech Advocate Memorial Fund to honor the legacy of Charlie Garten, an education technology leader and former CoSN Board Member. The Charlie Garten Ed Tech Memorial Fund will honor his lifetime commitment and continue his vision. 

Funds raised will support scholarships and related expenses to bring education technology leaders to Washington, DC. Charlie was a strong proponent and active participant in CoSN’s advocacy efforts, helping to share information with policymakers around the value of investing in education technology. This fund will make it possible for others to take part in advocacy efforts and continue the critical advocacy work that was so important to Charlie and to the future of our country. For more information.