
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, December 14, 1994                   TAG: 9412140131
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

E-CLASSES

"HAVING CONNECTIONS" in Virginia's public schools is likely to mean having access to teachers and classes on another end of the state. Virginia is one of at least six states represented on the 15-member Southern Regional Education Board with plans for using technology to reduce educational inequities among its school districts.

It has more than plans, in fact. The Electronic Classroom Project allows districts in less populated and less affluent regions, like Southwest Virginia, to offer their students special or low-enrollment courses via satellite that they otherwise would not be able to take. The V-Quest Project, with funding from the National Science Foundation, will be trying to improve math and science education for every Virginia child using technology in the classroom and for teacher training and preparation.

And a network provides a communication link among public school teachers, administrators and staff.

Such programs expand opportunities not only by increasing course offerings and improving course quality, but by giving students hands-on experience working with the tools of today's - and tomorrow's - workplace, computers.

Technology has become an essential component in public education in Virginia. With all its advantages, though, it alone will not resolve the problems of funding inequities among school districts in the state.

by CNB