Calendar
Secretary Richard W. Riley invited chief state school officers in each state and territory to assemble a statewide team of five or six. Teams included two classroom teachers experienced with networking, with the rest from principals, superintendents, teacher educators, state education officials, policymakers, and private sector partners. Each team was to develop its own strategies to increase electronic networking opportunities for teachers and enhance the professional development components of existing networks.
Participants listened and responded as Secretary Riley and Deputy Secretary Madeleine M. Kunin set forth ED's commitment to technology and explained the linkage to Goals 2000. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Reed Hundt described how new legislation might affect technology in schools. Participants also experienced the various networks as experts demonstrated the basics and benefits of each; discussed critical issues in networking; and shared ideas with other state team members, federal staff, and private sector representatives.
You can become involved with the ongoing work of the state teams by contacting the office of your chief state school officer. They will put you in touch with the person in the state department of education heading the team.
You can also access a variety of materials about the conference through the ED/OERI Gopher on the Internet. Look under Department-Wide Initiatives (Goals 2000...)--> Technology to find the Secretary's speech, conference agenda, presenter and participant lists, and brief descriptions of the electronic networks demonstrated at the conference.
Contact: Thelma K. Leenhouts at Mayconference@inet.ed.gov or 202-219-1558.