Can Technology Rescue School Budgets?

This was the title of a recent post on Flypaper.  They ask the question with regards to e-schools and hybrid schools (specifically New York City's School of One program).  I really like the School of One program in NYC, although it can require more effort on the part of the teachers. E-schools are expanded home-schooling options.  Both of these programs have important places in our society, but I don't feel they should be used as budget reducing options.

The extra effort required by the School of One means that the teachers should be earning more money for doing the work.  It may require fewer teachers, as mentioned by John Chubb, but those teachers deserve the extra rewards.  As for e-schools, I don't feel that home schooling is the best option for most students.  Children need the social interactions and leadership skills that brick-and-mortar schools provide.  Some students find these through other groups and organizations, but I don't think a wide-spread home schooling system is the way to go.

 Can technology rescue school budgets?  Absolutely.  Technology makes text books cheaper.  Paperless classrooms save money on resources.  It may be possible to use fewer teachers (although I do not think this is the best solution).  But these are all ways that technology allows us to do things differently.  The real purpose of technology, as all of my classmates will attest, is to do different things.