Toward a New Golden Age in American Education: How the Internet, the Law and Today’s Students are Revolutionizing Expectations is a crucial step in outlining a vision for transforming education.

NetDay is particularly pleased that the new National Education Technology Plan reflects the views and recommendations of today’s students. During NetDay’s Speak Up Day for Students in 2003 and 2004, almost 400,000 students from all 50 states completed online surveys, sharing their ideas about using technology and the Internet for learning. The addition of many of those ideas into the National Education Technology Plan lays a solid foundation for further inclusion of students’ thoughts and aspirations into education planning at all levels.

The Speak Up Day for Students surveys indicated that today’s students are technology savvy, feel strongly about the positive value of technology and rely upon technology as an essential and preferred component of every aspect of their lives. Students are telling us that they want to help us understand the great new world of technology and its vast possibilities – and they want us to listen to them. Toward a New Golden Age in American Education reflects the powerful message of these student voices.

The report’s recommendation to strengthen leadership and empower student participation in the technology planning process will be a significant step forward to realizing the vision articulated in the plan. NetDay looks forward to working with the U.S. Department of Education and state and local education leaders around the country implementing this vision.

About NetDay
NetDay's mission is to connect every child to a brighter future by helping educators meet educational goals through the effective use of technology. NetDay (www.NetDay.org), the national 501.c.3 non-profit organization known for its successful school wiring programs, today manages community and web-based programs that promote enhanced student achievement through the effective use of technology. Speak Up Day is NetDay’s latest initiative and focuses awareness on the importance of student and teacher voices in the national dialogue on education and technology.

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