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

  November 4, 1994                      Contact:  Melinda Kitchell                                                     (202) 401-1008

TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION GRANTS SUPPORT TEACHER NETWORKING

Curricula, classroom teaching, and teacher professional development will be enhanced through on-line use of electronic teacher networks and shared knowledge in programs supported by more than $1.8 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Education. The teacher networks link teachers with curriculum and instruction specialists who can help teachers improve their teaching skills and knowledge of subject matter.

"The days of teachers sharing lesson plans and classroom tips in tattered folders may soon be history, as more and more teachers are able to reach out and benefit from others' knowledge through the use of electronic teacher networks," said Sharon P. Robinson, assistant secretary for educational research and improvement. "As these networks grow, more and more teachers are able to log on, and in doing so, will benefit from a huge knowledge and experience base -- created by teachers -- to improve learning."

Fifteen grants will go to projects in ten states including California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, New York, Oregon, and Texas under the department's Teacher Networking Project. Grantees include an American Indian nation, a state university research foundation, two regional educational laboratories, a private agency, and both rural and urban schools and school districts. Projects include activities such as teacher mentoring and development of curriculum materials for electronic networking. Special attention will be paid to Chapter 1 teachers, those serving disadvantaged urban and rural students, and students on Indian reservations.

For example, the New York City School District #1, through the CONNECT (Creating Opportunities via Networking and New Electronic Communication Training) project, will train 198 regular education, bilingual/ESL, and special education teachers to work with a diverse immigrant community in five of the district's Title I elementary schools. Teachers will receive staff development assistance, including on-line training in network telecommunications, and will attend after-school seminars on computer-related networking problems and successful practices.

The Teacher Networking Project is funded under Part F of Title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

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