Dianne Feinstein: “Today Representative Lois Capps and I are introducing legislation to help teachers use technology in their teaching, the…”

“Today Representative Lois Capps and I are introducing legislation to help teachers use technology in their teaching, the Teacher Technology Training Act of 2001. This bill has three major provisions: It authorizes $100 million for state education departments to award grants to local public school districts on the basis of need to train teachers in how to use technology in the classroom. It specifies that grants may be used to strengthen instruction and learning, provide professional development, and pay the costs of teacher training in using technology in the classroom. It requires the Secretary of Education to evaluate the technology training programs for teachers developed by school districts within three years. This bill is needed because teachers say they need to learn how to use computers and other technology in their teaching. A 1999 Education Week poll found that 27 percent of teachers have had no training in computers, 31 percent have had one to five hours, and 17 percent have had six to ten hours. This means that 75 percent of teachers have had less than ten hours of training in how to use computers. In a 1999 survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Education, only 23 percent of teachers said they felt 'well prepared' to integrate educational technology into instruction. 'Most teachers want to learn, but they say it takes time and they need help,' says Linda Roberts, Director of Educational Technology, U.S. Department of Education.”