From now until the 43rd SIPA Annual Conference June 3-5, Wednesday's SIPAlert Daily becomes THE ROAD TO 43. I'll offer takeaways from the speakers and sessions, take a glimpse or two back—it's a good time to dust off the old Hotlines—point out some special events, and have a little fun.

A recent article in Politico claims that the federal E-Rate program produced no gains in student SAT results in North Carolina public high schools. With this assertion, the author concludes that federal programs supporting school connectivity nationwide should be eliminated, or at least halted until investments can demonstrate a stronger relationship with student outcomes. But the article’s underlying study doesn’t support such a sweeping conclusion, and the author fails to recognize the key role played by professional development for teachers in improving classroom learning through technology. more