Several efforts aimed at increasing access to digital educational resources were highlighted in a roundup issued Friday from the Foundation for Excellence in Education that also praised recent policy actions in 12 states.
Michigan, Georgia, and Tennessee’s governors were all complimented for recent legislative action on the digital learning front, while Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, a Republican, was criticized for vetoing an online learning accountability measure. (Jason Tomassini wrote more in-depth about the Michigan and Arizona measures on the Marketplace K-12 blog.)
While advocates for education technology have repeatedly insisted their cause is not political, including foundation founder and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, a Republican, its mention alongside choice-related reforms noted in Arizona, Ohio, and South Carolina—all signed by Republican governors—is an odd juxtaposition and could further suspicions. In most states, school choice is considered a conservative cause.
The Digital Learning Now initiative is co-headed by the Alliance for Excellent Education and its founder, former West Virginia Gov. Bob Wise, a Democrat.
Wise, who spearheaded the first annual Digital Learning Day, has been visible alongside Obama administration education officials several times as it lent support to Digital Learning Now’s educational vision.