Hello NHSTE Membership,

We need your help advocating for urgent federal funding necessary to support educator capacity in effective use of technology, both during COVID-19 and beyond.

Please take a moment to support the dedicated Professional Development Funds in the next Federal Stimulus Package by contacting  your representative and senator by going to this ISTE link to complete the pre-written letter in support of this funding.

Thank you,
Kathleen McClaskey

NHSTE Advocacy Chair

More Information From ISTE's Advocacy Update:

The COVID-19 public health crisis continues to impact schools across the country. With closures likely to extend into the 2020-21 school year, states and districts are continuing to leverage online learning. However, notable gaps exist between the quality of learning accessible to students from advantaged and disadvantaged communities. Therefore, significant and equitable funding is critical to ensure that all students are able to receive effective instruction. 

 
We need your help advocating for urgent federal funding necessary to support educator capacity in effective use of technology, both during COVID-19 and beyond. On this page, you will find a number of materials, including a customizable email template, that you can use to quickly send a message to your members of Congress. The platform allows the user to send the message with a few simple clicks. 
 
While federal legislators provided some relief to address schools’ immediate needs through the CARES Act, there remains an urgent need to prepare educators for the long-term with skills to design and deliver effective online learning opportunities to all students. Specifically, we need dedicated funding for professional development to ensure that all educators are prepared for technology-empowered pedagogy during COVID-19 and beyond. 
 
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the HEROES Act, which permits the use of stabilization funds for “ongoing professional development to staff in how to effectively provide quality online academic instruction.” However, the HEROES Act only funds a fraction of the $200 billion that national experts have recommended to stabilize schools. And like the CARES Act, HEROES fails to provide specific, dedicated support to professional development for online learning.
 
This is why we need your help. Please show your support for increased federal relief dollars for education and funding dedicated towards professional development for online learning.
 
Act Now to Call for Dedicated Professional Development Funds in the Next Federal Education Stimulus Package

Thank you for your help and please let us know if you have any questions by reaching out at advocacy@iste.org.