Technology in Our Schools

The Crisis Created by Technology

Technology has many benefits giving us access to infinite knowledge with just a few keystrokes. It has also enabled us to gain and share information and to connect in ways we could never have imagined even 30 years ago.

With the vast increase of technology in our lives, and in our children's schools, we are beginning to see the true impact on our children to include; Cyberbullying, Tech Addiction, Electronic Screen Syndrome and the many health issues caused by microwave radio frequency radiation (RFR) emitted by wireless devices and infrastructure at home and in our schools. Since classrooms have particularly high levels of RFR due to commercial routers and the use of wireless devices for each student, there are exponential RFR emissions within the classroom.

Children are particularly vulnerable to RFR. Some of the most immediate symptoms related to RFR emitted from wireless devices are headache, nosebleeds, memory problems, sleep problems, depression, dizziness and more. These symptoms are known as Electro Hypersensitivity Syndrome or EHS, also known as Microwave Sickness, and could already be effecting your child.

Most schools have implemented the Federal 21sth Century Education Reform program which includes mandates to prioritize technology in the classroom using a program called E-Rate. Since the inception of the E-Rate program, which was originally created to address technology needs in "poverty based" schools, but is now inclusive to all schools, it has been plagued with chronic waste, fraud and abuse. As well, the agencies that administer funds for these programs are run by 'Big Tech' industry insiders who demand that schools use wireless over wired in the classroom.

Wired classrooms are an important first step to ensure safe technology for our children. But parents also need to understand that with every benefit that this technology provides for our children, there are also disadvantages, i.e. cyberbullying, tech addiction and electronic screen syndrome as well as the impacts of a wireless classroom on our children's health.

As parents we have many legitimate concerns regarding technology and the impact on our children's health. But, these concerns are not being addressed by our public agencies or school administrations and it will take great effort by parents, teachers and administrators to push back and gain control of how this technology is implemented. Without public pushback, 'Big Tech' will determine the educational technology "needs" of our children thereby taking this decision away from parents and educators and undermining our children's health.

You can look at this issue in more detail by clicking on the links below.

21st Century Classroom

What is the the 21st Century Education Reform

According to proponents, ubiquitous wireless infrastructure in schools is considered essential to meeting the goals of 21st century education reform. This has creating a worldwide shift in thinking about the safety of the widespread adoption of Wi-Fi systems for internet access in schools as well as excessive digital screen time. The push for digital technology in schools was prompted by 21st Century Learning Initiative , to give students a more authentic learning experience. Initially all school systems were using wired technology in computer lab stations but this was transformed in the last 10 years to all wireless networks. These systems are convenient, however they use similar radio frequency electromagnetic radiation (RF EMR) frequencies as cell phones, cordless phones and microwave ovens. Although at lower power, these microwaves pass through the body and can affect fragile biological processes during development, especially the brain. Children absorb more brain radiation due to thinner skulls and higher water content. Exposure to radiofrequency (RF) radiation is classified as a Group 2B Possible Human Carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer at the WHO as of 2011.

There is a growing concern among parents, teachers and researchers, that children are being exposed to increasing levels of wireless radiation continuously without consideration of adverse consequences. These include long term health effects, effects on learning and concentration as well as related psychosocial issues with privacy, security, commercialism, social media and internet addiction. Many community and parent groups have organized to oppose Wi-Fi in local schools, arguing that wiring schools is safer, more secure and cheaper. Expert physicians and scientists have called for precaution advising cell towers and Wi-Fi should not be used in schools and written enlightening and sobering letters.

E-Rate Program

What is the E-Rate Program?

NACST's ( National Association for Children and Safe Technology) report entitled, The Anatomy of 21st Century Education Reform, Part I, examines the history of the E-rate Program and the National Education Technology Funding Corporation (NETFC). It sets the stage for readers to better understand what the modernization of E-rate and 21st century education reform represent in a broader sense.

E-rate is known as a “poverty based” program. Schools with the greatest need qualify for discounts up to 90%. Companies receive full business rates for their products and services purchased by schools and libraries through the E-rate Program.
The Schools and Libraries Program, also known as E-rate, has been plagued with chronic waste, fraud and abuse since the inception of the program. The findings from numerous government investigations over 2 decades have been largely ignored. Oversight of the E-rate Program has not been adequately funded.
Customers pay for the E-rate Program through an ever increasing hidden tax on their monthly phone bills, which they are required to pay.
21st century education reform, according to government officials and corporate leaders, is essential in order to prepare our children for the emerging global economy.
Public-private-partnerships are the cornerstone of 21st century education reform. Authorized through the Telecommunications Act of 1996, public-private-partnerships compromise the integrity of our federal, state and local governments. They divert tax dollars and other resources to support corporations instead of public education for which they were intended.
The National Association for Children and Safe Technology offers a document to explain how the FCC has implemented technology in our schools and the corruption that has come with it: http://www.nacst.org/education-reform.html
This presentation by Mikko Ahonen, Ph.D., Sweden/Finland, and Ph.D. candidate Tarmo Koppel, discusses issues and solutions to protect children in schools in the face of government programs promoting wireless technology: http://www.slideshare.net/MAhonen/radiofrequency-radiation-and-cchildrens-health-sustainability-challenges-for-e-ggovernment-sweg-201NACST's report entitled, The Anatomy of 21st Century Education Reform, Part I, examines the history of the E-rate Program and the National Education Technology Funding Corporation (NETFC). It sets the stage for readers to better understand what the modernization of E-rate and 21st century education reform represent in a broader sense.