Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 7, 1995 TAG: 9506070058
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: DUBLIN LENGTH: Medium
The Challenge Grant for Technology in Education would provide high-speed lines and computer equipment to schools in the New River Valley and farther west. The money, which would be distributed over five years, would also cover training and follow-up during that time for teachers whose students would be on-line.
Governor's School Executive Director Margaret "Pat" Duncan told the school's board Tuesday that she was optimistic about the grant being approved. It has the backing of the Virginia Space Grant Consortium and Virginia Tech, among others.
The Pulaski County school system is the fiscal agent for the application. "There's nothing like this on this side of the state," said Pulaski County Superintendent Bill Asbury.
Access to the Internet could be a factor in easing disparities between school systems in Southwest Virginia and the more affluent parts of the state, he said. "That adds another ingredient to this grant that others may not be able to put in there."
More than 38,000 students from kindergarten through high school would benefit from the project, if the grant is funded. It would link schools throughout the region through a consortium of Southern colleges and universities called SURENET.
It took the Governor's School staff four 14-hour days to prepare the grant, not counting the time Duncan spent on it after hours at her home.
The project would meet regional needs for restructuring and reform in science, mathematics, engineering and technology through the curriculums that would be developed under the proposal, linking both schools and communities in Southwest Virginia to the Internet.
The idea behind the proposal is to build a strong technology foundation, which includes support and education, in the Appalachian region that is self-sustaining, expandable and affordable, Duncan explained. It would use the Challenge Grant as the start-up mechanism.
The Governor's School would be both a support center and education center for it. Members of surrounding communities would also be able to use it to develop curriculums to keep pace with developments.
Citizens and business people, as well as educators, would have Internet access under this proposal.
It would provide expanded research resources; contacts for expertise in specific disciplines; more frequent teleconferencing with colleagues, educators and professionals; and a link between consortium members and local businesses which could help generate support for continuing the connection.
by CNB