“The award of $7.6 million in federal funds made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act—Broadband Technology Opportunities Program is an innovative example of using technology to help local students succeed in school,” Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard said. “Parents are the most influential teachers we can ever have.  By increasing family involvement in their children’s education while providing the necessary tools, this program takes a holistic approach to leveling the playing field for our students in and out of the classroom.”

Click the following link to read the full grant announcement from the Department of Commerce: https://gns.ocs.doc.gov/public/ViewMessage.cfm?MsgID=cs43jdv4ql

Congresswoman Roybal-Allard is a longtime proponent of technology to facilitate learning.

She is the author of legislation, titled the Achievement Through Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) Act (HR 558), which amends the current “Enhancing Education Through Technology” program in the No Child Left Behind Act.  ATTAIN would better target federal education technology resources toward technology professional development and systemic reform initiatives in struggling schools.  

ATTAIN does this by providing federal funding to help schools that serve disadvantaged and low-income students purchase computers, software and other technology.  The measure ensures teachers are properly trained to effectively teach the newest technology and puts in place standards to ensure all students are technologically literate by the 8th grade.  The bill also requires that states provide guidance to districts on how to ensure that schools have access to the most up-to-date computers and software.  Finally, the ATTAIN Act calls for research initiatives to determine the effectiveness of the new technology program at the state and national levels.