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Tech Education Chief Outlines Priorities
by Bara Vaida
Now that the sweeping education reform act, "No Child Left Behind," has been signed into law, John Bailey, director of the Education Department's Office of Educational Technology, will spend the next year helping state education technology directors get the money they need to fund their technology programs.
In an interview with National Journal's Technology Daily, Bailey said: "My priority is...assisting states with securing block funds and successful implementation of [technology] programs." Bailey acknowledged education technology officials' concern that the way the technology block grant program is funded could make it difficult for some schools to get necessary money, but he vowed to work with state education officials on the concern. "The worry about the block grants and how to manage that is of concern...but it isn't insurmountable and I think there is a way to work with states to make sure that they have equity" in funding, he said.
Bailey also will focus on developing an updated national education technology plan to determine the federal government's role in education technology. The plan will build on studies such as the Web-based Education Commission report, Bailey said. Bailey also said his focus is aligning technology with the school curriculum and away from the number of computers in classrooms. "We will see [tech] funding be based on applications rather than devices...boxes or Internet connections," he said. Bailey also plans to look at the process of e-learning and what rules and regulations exist as hurdles to online learning.
Visiting The Valley
Congressional Hispanic Caucus chair Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, and California Democratic caucus members Xavier Becerra and Grace Napolitano toured Silicon Valley Jan. 21-23 as part of a trip organized by the Information Technology Industry Council. The lawmakers visited companies including IBM, Apple Computer, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Microsoft and Siebel Systems. At IBM, the members were treated to a demonstration of the company's nanotechnology R&D efforts, while at Siebel Systems they listened to ideas on using technology to boost homeland security. The members also visited an Intel Computer Clubhouse facility, which gives underprivileged students a chance to gain computer-technology skills. At Hewlett-Packard, company CEO Carly Fiorina met with the members. No fundraising occurred during the trip, according to an ITI spokesman.
Sen. George Allen, R-Va., chairman of the Senate Republican High-Tech Task Force, this month tested out the latest Netscape browser and Napster music service and listened to policy suggestions from high-tech companies on the West Coast. Allen started his trip visiting the campus of Microsoft in Redmond, Wash., where he met with about two-dozen employees who wanted to see an end to the Justice Department's antitrust lawsuit against the company. Allen then flew to Los Angeles to meet with Disney CEO Michael Eisner, who argued his case for the need for legislation to require high-tech equipment makers to include digital rights management technology in their products. Later, Allen met with Warner Brothers studio executives who argued strenuously against such digital rights legislation. Allen then flew to Silicon Valley and met with officials at Apple, Cisco Systems, Netscape Communications, Siebel Systems, Sun Microsystems and Tumbleweed. Allen did no fundraising during the trip, according to a spokesman.
On The Move
In other news, Allen has made some changes to his staff. Allen counsel Paul Unger is taking on the additional job of legislative director, Communication Director Matt Raymond is taking on the added job of senior policy adviser, and Carrie Cantrell has been promoted to press secretary from assistant communications director.
Bill Skane is jumping the journalism ship to direct the News and Public Information Office of the National Academies, the four private research organizations created by the federal government to study science and technology, National Journal magazine reported. Skane has more than two decades of broadcasting experience. He served most recently as a producer on "CBS Evening News" with Dan Rather. Skane started his broadcast career as a science reporter and producer for KQED-TV, a public television station in San Francisco.
The National Science Foundation has hired Peter Freeman as the new assistant director for Computer and Information Science and Engineering. Freeman is currently the Dean of Computing at Georgia Institute of Technology and will take his new post in May. Freeman chaired the 1998 San Nunn NationalsBank Policy Forum in 1998 that led to the creation of the Georgia Tech Information Security Center, which was one of the first comprehensive centers in the U.S. to focus on information security. Freeman has served at Georgia Tech as a professor and founding dean since 1990.
Maureen McLaughlin has been named senior counsel in the FCC's Office of Legal Counsel. She previously was counsel and later senior counsel to the Senate Commerce Committee's Communications Subcommittee, where she worked on communications issues, e-commerce issues, and FCC oversight. Before that, she worked at the FCC's International and Wireless Telecommunications Bureaus. Previously, she worked for law firm Sheppard Mullin.
Checking the Pulse of Technology
Commerce Undersecretary for Technology Administration Phil Bond and Assistant Secretary of Technology Policy Bruce Mehlman met with members of electronics association AeA last Tuesday, according to association sources. Much of the discussion evolved around broadband policy, which the high-tech industry has been actively promoting during the past month. The Bush administration officials urged AeA members to do more to convince consumers and small businesses about the benefits of getting broadband services. Mehlman and Bond also encouraged the high-tech sector to take a leadership role in communicating the industry's efforts to improve education, especially as next year the level of H-1B visas is scheduled to be reduced. These visas temporarily enable foreign-born highly skilled workers to be employed in the United States and are used by many high-tech companies. Neither Mehlman nor Bond indicated whether broadband would be included in the president's State of Union address Tuesday evening.
On the Web Stump
Rep. Phil English, R-Pa., used the Internet Monday to announce his reelection campaign for a fifth term in Congress. English conducted a live webcast from the Manufacturers Association in Erie, Pa., making him among the first incumbent lawmakers to use the Internet for a re-election announcement, according to English's staff. According to his Web site, English supports making the research and development tax credit permanent and doubling federal funding of basic science, medical and engineering research.
Searching for a Party Town
BellSouth Vice President of Congressional Relations Pepper English has been named to the Democratic National Committee's 2004 site selection advisory committee. In that position, English will be part of a team reviewing city proposals as well as conducting on-site visits. It then will make recommendations to the DNC. The DNC plans to make a formal request for proposals to cities at the end of February and announce a host city for the presidential nominating convention by fall 2002. The convention was in Los Angeles in 2002.
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