Archived: SURVEY REVEALS MOST SCHOOLS NOT READY FOR Y2K

A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

FOR RELEASE
August 27, 1999

Contact:
Jane Glickman (202) 401-1307
Jim Bradshaw (202) 401-2310

SURVEY REVEALS MOST SCHOOLS NOT READY FOR Y2K

Nearly three-fourths of school districts report that they are not now fully prepared for the Year 2000's effect on computers and other technology devices. Only 28 percent said all their mission critical systems are Y2K compliant at this time, according to a national survey of schools sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education and the National School Boards Association.

However, 98 percent of the districts reported that their key systems will be completely Y2K ready by Jan. 1, 2000.

"Schools have made progress in their Y2K efforts, but I'm concerned that many don't expect to become fully Y2K compliant until the final couple of months of 1999, leaving little room for testing or for any slippage in their schedules." said U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley. "Clearly, our schools need to be giving very serious attention to Y2K contingency planning."

The department is holding a live, interactive teleconference Sept. 30, focusing on system testing, contingency planning and the role of state and local governments in ensuring Y2K compliance. The event, specifically aimed at K-12 school officials, will be webcast live from noon to 1:30 p.m. EDT and will be archived at www.connectlive.com/events/deptedu/

All the nation's local education agencies were invited to participate in the survey through letters mailed March 26. More than 3,500 school districts, representing about 29 percent of the nation's elementary and secondary schools, responded to the web-based project, which closed May 28.

Other survey highlights:

42 percent of local school districts had written plans for achieving Y2K compliance;
24 percent had completed contingency planning, although 63 percent said contingency plans would be ready by Oct. 1, and 97 percent declared they would have them in place by Jan. 1;
Among the principal barriers to achieving Y2K readiness, personnel was cited by 58 percent of the districts; time by 57 percent; funding 44 percent; and trading partner/vendor cooperation 29 percent.

The department has made addressing the Y2K problem a priority and by March, all of the department's systems had been renovated and validated as Y2K compliant.

In addition, in response to a request by the President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion, the department has launched a national effort to promote Y2K awareness and action in the education community.

The department held nine regional "Y2K Workshops" with elementary and secondary school personnel.

Last December, the department presented a national Y2K TV town meeting. Hundreds of the videotapes from the event have been provided to schools and school districts.

In addition, the department produced and distributed a "Year 2000 Guide for Elementary and Secondary Schools and School Districts." More than 25,000 copies have been distributed to schools, school districts and states. The guide is available on the department's web site under "How To?" at http://www.ed.gov/y2k/.

Riley said the department is providing the results of this survey to education associations and will continue to highlight the Y2K issue throughout the education community, as well as to offer Y2K information and technical assistance.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: The complete Y2K elementary/secondary survey report is available at the following Education Department web-site, under 'Reports': http://www.ed.gov/y2k/ .