The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) today announced that U.S. Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) has been awarded the association’s 2010 Award for Excellence in Public Service.  The award recognizes Congresswoman Roybal-Allard for her efforts to champion education technology legislation, including the Achievement Through Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) Act.

“Rep. Roybal-Allard has been a leader in the effort to integrate the use of technology into the classroom.  She has tirelessly advocated for the transformation of teaching and learning in the 21st century.  We are thankful to have a staunch support of educational technology in Southern California and know that her leadership in educational technology legislation is a benefit to students throughout the nation,” said Themy Sparangis, Chief Technology Director for the Los Angeles Unified School District and a member of CoSN’s Policy Committee.

CoSN selected Rep. Roybal-Allard as this year’s public service award honoree because of her unwavering leadership on education technology issues. Recently, the congresswoman sponsored the ATTAIN Act. This legislation provides federal funding for computers, software, and various other technology tools in schools serving low-income students. The Act also includes provisions to make certain that teachers are adequately trained to effectively use educational technologies to enrich the learning experience.

“Our students are the future leaders of America and making investments in technology is essential. We must provide our children with a 21st century education to ensure that they are career and college-ready,” said Rep. Roybal-Allard. “Educational technology helps to drive innovation, creativity and intellectual curiosity. If we can effectively harness its power, we will secure our nation’s technological leadership for years to come.”

Rep. Roybal-Allard serves on the House Appropriations Committee and the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education. As a member of this subcommittee, the Congresswoman helps oversee funding of the U.S. Department of Education, among other agencies.

“Time and time again, Rep. Roybal-Allard has proven her commitment to education technology. Her leadership on the issue has brought key pieces of legislation to the forefront, and she has consistently advocated policy initiatives aimed at providing U.S. students with the tools and technologies they need for success,” said CoSN CEO Keith Krueger. “We appreciate her commitment to the education technology community and our nation’s students. We look forward to continuing to work with her to infuse technology into our classrooms.”

About the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)
CoSN is the premier professional association for district technology leaders. The mission of CoSN is to empower K-12 district technology leaders to use technology strategically for the improvement of teaching and learning. CoSN provides leadership, community and advocacy essential for the success of these leaders. 

CoSN leadership initiatives include:
Cyber Security for the Digital District (www.securedistrict.org)    
Data-Driven Decision-Making (www.3d2know.org) 
Empowering the 21st Century Superintendent (www.superintendentempower.org) 
Framework of Essential Skills for the K-12 CTO (www.cosn.org/framework) 
Green Computing (www.cosn.org/greencomputing) 
IT Crisis Preparedness (www.cosn.org/ITCrisisPrep) 
K-12 Open Technologies (www.k12opentech.org) 
Small District Technology Leadership (www.cosn.org/smalldistrict)   
Taking Total Cost of Ownership to the Classroom (www.classroomtco.org) 
Value of Investment (www.edtechvoi.org) 
Web2.0 Policy and Leadership (http://www.cosn.org/web20/)

CoSN’s membership is a unique blend of education and technology leaders, and decision makers from the public and private sectors. Visit www.cosn.org or phone 866/267-8747 to find out more about CoSN’s programs, events and resources supporting and promoting leadership development, advocacy and connections to ensure that technology is used strategically for the improvement of teaching and learning in elementary and secondary schools.