The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) expresses deep concern over the recent vote by the House Appropriations Committee to eliminate funding for Title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. This decision, if implemented, would cut off crucial resources for professional development programs aimed at teachers and school leaders across the nation.
Title II funding has been instrumental in equipping our educators with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of education, particularly in the realm of technology integration. The elimination of this funding threatens to undermine the progress we’ve made in preparing our educators for the challenges of digital teaching and learning.
Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN, emphasized the critical nature of this funding:
“Professional development is not just beneficial; it’s essential for promoting the effective, safe, and ethical use of technologies in our classrooms. Now more than ever, teachers and school leaders need support to harness the potential of technology, especially given the rise of AI in learning, the constant threat of costly cyberattacks, and other pressing issues in education technology. Eliminating Title II funding would be a significant step backward at a time when we need to be moving forward.”
CoSN urges the full Congress to provide robust funding for Title II for fiscal year 2025. The future of our education system depends on well-prepared educators who can leverage technology to enhance learning outcomes. We call on policymakers to continue the tradition of supporting professional development and ensuring our educators have the resources they need to serve their students.
