WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - November 12, 2007) - During the State Educational Technology
Directors Association (SETDA)'s Education Forum: What It Takes to Compete
event, SETDA honored three individuals with outstanding leadership in
educational technology.
SETDA State Policy Maker Award: Mike Flanagan, Michigan's State
Superintendent of Public Instruction, was presented with SETDA's State
Policy Maker Award for his leadership in education policy and for
re-inventing Michigan's schools through effective uses of technology.
"It is no secret that the glory days of the auto industry are in the rear
view mirror. For decades, Michigan students could achieve a cozy
middle-class existence, despite the lack of a thorough education," said
Bruce Umpstead, SETDA's Michigan representative. "Recognizing that Michigan
cannot compete in our new global economy with this outdated philosophy,
Superintendent Flanagan, Governor Jennifer Granholm, the Michigan State
Board of Education, and the Michigan Legislature crafted a rigorous new
curriculum that would give students the knowledge and skills they need to
succeed in college and in the 21st century workplace."
"Mike Flanagan understands that rigorous instruction is critical to
developing a strong and competitive workforce," said Mary Ann Wolf, PhD,
SETDA's Executive Director. "Mr. Flanagan has made education technology a
priority that supports increased interest in Math & Science, training and
retention of high quality teachers, and the engagement of Michigan's
students in life-long learning that will serve them well in the global
marketplace."
SETDA Leader of the Year Award (SLY): During the State Educational
Technology Directors Association (SETDA)'s Education Forum: What It Takes
to Compete event, Lan Neugent, Assistant Superintendent for Technology at
the Virginia Department of Education, was presented with the SETDA Leader
of the Year Award -- a peer recognition award presented to an outstanding
leader in education.
"Neugent is well respected both in Virginia and around the nation as a
technology expert and he provides an exemplary model of effective
leadership," said Melinda Maddox (AL), the 2006 SLY Award winner who
presented the 2007 award. "Neugent's leadership has catapulted Virginia to
a model state in many areas, including the use of data and its impact on
student achievement and online testing."
"As a former Chair and a current member of the SETDA Board of Directors,
Neugent is an active and involved champion for the work of the organization
through strong, effective mentoring of board members, new SETDA members and
SETDA's corporate partners," said Mary Ann Wolf, PhD, SETDA's Executive
Director. "SETDA made great strides during his leadership term. Because of
his work in Virginia, he has made a difference nationally through his work
on eRate, internet safety, and educational technology advocacy, and
internet safety."
SETDA Federal Policy Maker Award: Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) was honored
for his leadership in supporting innovative and systemic approaches to
learning in NCLB with students, teachers and administrators from NC
present. Senator Burr partnered with Senators Bingaman (D-NM), and Murray
(D-WA) to co-sponsor the ATTAIN Act, which was included as Title II, Part D
of the Senate's ESEA/NCLB discussion draft. Building upon data from
several research studies, the bill focuses on the integral role of
educational technology in systemic school redesign and professional
development for core curricular areas. Senator Burr and his staff
understand the issues and collaborated with both Democrats and Republicans
to build upon past federal technology programs and expand them to provide
systemic educational change that assures our nation's global
competitiveness.
"SETDA was thrilled to award the Federal Policy Maker Award to Senator
Burr," said Wolf. "His comments during SETDA's Ed Forum Luncheon
demonstrated his understanding of the role technology has played in North
Carolina schools and the potential for the ATTAIN act to improve education
by support for innovative models with proven results that act as a catalyst
for states to leverage local resources to address local needs."
The ATTAIN ACT
1. To ensure that through technology every student has access to
individualized, rigorous, and relevant learning to meet the goals
of NCLB and to prepare all students and America for the 21st
Century.
2. To increase on-going, meaningful professional development around
technology that leads to changes in teaching and curriculum, and
which improves student achievement, including but not limited to
core academic subjects, and student technology literacy.
3. To evaluate, build upon and increase the use of research-based
and innovative systemic school reforms that center on the use of
technology and lead to school improvement and increase student
achievement.
About SETDA
The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) is the
principal association for state directors of technology and their staff
members providing professional development and leadership around the
effective use to technology in education to enhance competitiveness in the
global workforce.
Contact Information: CONTACT
Mary Ann Wolf, Ph.D
SETDA
Executive Director
410-647-6965