About Us

To help facilitate the involvement of organizations and individuals in developing the National Education Technology Plan, the Department of Education awarded a contract to a team consisting of the American Institutes for Research, the International Society for Technology in Education, and the State Educational Technology Directors Association. Each worked closely with the Department to coordinate input from the public and disseminate information about the Plan development process.

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology

www.ed.gov/technology

The Office of Educational Technology (OET) is leading the development of the National Education Technology Plan under Secretary Paige. OET provides leadership to the nation in using technology to promote student achievement and to increase opportunities for all students to achieve the goals of No Child Left Behind by supporting the overall national technology policy. OET recommends policies to promote increased use of technology and technology planning throughout all programs and training functions administered by the Department of Education. OET reviews all relevant programs supported by the Department to ensure that such programs are coordinated with and support the long-range National Education Technology Plan.

American Institutes for Research

www.air.org

The American Institutes for Research (AIR), a leader in the behavioral and social sciences, has been at the forefront of national efforts to ensure sound investments in technology in education. Through research, policy analysis, and communication support, AIR staff has played significant roles in the development, implementation, and evaluation of educational technology policy and initiatives for the greater part of a decade—including playing key roles in the development of the prior two National Education Technology Plans of the U.S. Department of Education. AIR staff brings to this effort nationally recognized expertise in studying and supporting the use of technology in education, a deep understanding of the social and organizational context of technology use in schools, and strong relationships with leading education organizations.

International Society for Technology in Education

www.iste.org

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is well known as a national and international leader for effective use of technology in schools. A professional association of current and future leaders in educational technology, ISTE is a trusted source with an outstanding track record with large national projects including development of the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) for students, teachers and administrators. ISTE sets the standard for garnering broad stakeholder input and ensuring dissemination and impact nationally of important policy and support resources. With deep reach into the fabric of education through the National Educational Technology Conference (NECC) and the Center for Applied Research on Educational Technology (CARET), ISTE adds important dimensions to this outreach team and to the development effort.

State Educational Technology Directors Association

www.setda.org

Representing all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) is the principal association representing the state directors for educational technology. SETDA promotes national leadership in educational technology to support achievement in lifelong learning, provides professional development for state educational technology directors and builds partnerships to advance learning opportunities and improve student achievement through technology. SETDA brings to the Plan development the input and insights of the front line stakeholders at the state level with direct responsibility for implementing this new National Plan. SETDA also has strong relationships across state departments of education and throughout the education community and is committed to leveraging these relationships to ensure broad-based input and participation in the development of the Plan.