Virtual Town Hall brings together educators to help identify challenges, find solutions.
Paige also awarded a $35 million grant to help rural areas attract teachers.
| FOR RELEASE: September 25, 2003 |
Contact: Elaine Quesinberry, Jane Glickman, Stephanie Babyak (202) 401-1576 |
U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige today hosted educators from across the country for a virtual town hall meeting on how rural communities are using technology to meet the goals of No Child Left Behind. Four communities in Iowa, Montana, New Mexico and West Virginia were showcased during the discussion using videoconferencing technology. The event was also broadcast live over the Internet.
Joining Secretary Paige for the event were Acting Deputy Secretary Eugene Hickok, U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns, of Montana, and U.S. Rep. Steve King, of Iowa.
"The Internet is the eighth wonder of the world," Paige said. "It brings unlimited information, entire libraries, courses, and instruction to anywhere you have a modem and a server. Now, technology even removes the distance of time and space and allows us to share valuable information. Rural schools are no longer isolated."
Information about the programs highlighted follows at the end of this release.
This event was organized by the Secretary's Rural Education Task Force, which Secretary Paige established in April 2003 to help identify challenges faced by rural states and school districts and to work on finding solutions.
The event was also Web cast live to allow school officials from across the country to learn more about how their colleagues are using technology to achieve the goals and requirements of No Child Left Behind.
Paige also announced a five-year, $35 million grant to the American Board for the Certification of Teacher Excellence (American Board), which offers the first national alternative route to full certification for teachers. The grant will enable the American Board to broaden the academic subject areas offered and develop new measures for assessing competency through its programs. "The American Board's program offers practical solutions to challenges school districts face in filling classrooms with highly qualified teachers," Paige said. "Teachers in small rural communities without access to local college campuses can realize their career goals through this exciting program." More information about the Rural Education Task Force can be found online at www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ods/ruraled/index.html.# # #
Today's rural education virtual town hall meeting highlighted the following programs:
Iowa:
Through technology, Manning High School provides highly qualified teachers in the areas of upper level mathematics and foreign language to other rural schools in Iowa, increasing educational opportunities for students both in Manning and the receiving districts. Classes are offered using videoconferencing via the Iowa Communications Network.
Manning High School
209 10th St
Manning
Contact: Brian Wall, principal, (712) 655-3781
Montana:
The JASON Foundation for Education uses the Internet, videoconferencing and cable to provide science and math curriculum to benefit students in grades 4-9 in rural Montana and each of the seven Native American Reservations in the state.
Burns Telecommunications Center
Montana State University
EPS Building, Room 126
Bozeman
Contact, Susan Byorth, program manager for Montana JASON project, (406) 994-6550
New Mexico:
The New Mexico Department of Education will highlight New Mexico's use of handheld personal digital assistants (PDAs) for reading instruction.
Wagon Mound Elementary School
100 Park Avenue
Wagon Mound
Contact: Steven Sanchez, Education Technology Director, New Mexico Dept. of Education, (505) 666-2206
West Virginia:
The West Virginia Virtual School provides Internet-based courses in reading and language arts, math, sciences and social studies as well as fine arts, foreign languages, health, Advanced Placement and gifted classes to students in rural areas.
Wayne Middle School
200 Pioneer Road
Wayne
Contact: Donna Miller, coordinator, West Virginia Virtual School, (304) 272-3227
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