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

A biweekly look at progress on the Secretary's priorities

Table of Contents Helping All Children Read Well... Helping All Children Master Math... All Classrooms Connected to the Internet... Information Technology Workers in Demand Family Involvement in Children's Learning Year 2000 Webpage New Online Credits

HELPING ALL CHILDREN READ WELL BY THE END OF 3rd GRADE More than 100 chapters of the Brandeis University National Women's Committee are participating in the America Reads Challenge by volunteering in various mentoring programs, including... The Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County, where members read year-round as partners with children living in a migrant workers' community that was a READ*WRITE*NOW! summer pilot site. Stars for Children, a Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) for children who need assistance in reading. Rocking Readers, a program designed to encourage students to read, obtain a library cards, and build their own home libraries.

HELPING ALL CHILDREN MASTER THE FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS BY THE END OF 8th GRADE Secretary Riley called on mathematics professors, teachers, & other mathematics professionals to "make the importance of mathematics for our nation clear, so that all teachers teach better mathematics and teach mathematics better" in his January 8 State of Mathematics Education address. He also called for a cease-fire in the current "math wars" about how & what math should be taught. The full text of his speech is available at: http://www.ed.gov/inits.html#2

ALL CLASSROOMS CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET; ALL STUDENTS TECHNOLOGICALLY LITERATE The Schools & Libraries Corporation (SLC) announced last week that its E- rate application website is now being tested with librarians & educators. When operational, the website (http://www.sl.universalservice.org/) will provide updates & allow schools & libraries to file their Universal Service Program forms electronically (for telecommunications discounts). Applicants' descriptions of required services will be posted at the site so that providers can competitively bid for them. The opening of the site will trigger a 75-day window during which all applications received will be treated as if they had arrived on the same day. Applications are currently accepted via regular mail at: Schools & Libraries Corporation, P.O. Box 4217, Iowa City, IA 52244-4217. Application forms, frequently asked questions, & other program information are available at: http://www.neca.org/ A document designed to help schools & libraries develop technology plans (in order to apply for E-rate discounts), "Technology Policies & Procedures," is available by calling the National Exchange Carrier Association at 888-203-8100. Schools & libraries that already have an approved technology plan -- including clear goals & realistic strategies for integrating technology, professional development & evaluation -- (such as plans developed for Goals 2000 or state technology initiatives) need not create new plans.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY WORKERS IN DEMAND Last week Vice President Gore announced a plan to help meet the growing demand for computer scientists, engineers, system analysts & technicians, which, according to Department of Labor projections, will double over the next 10 years. Currently, many employers report difficulty in finding workers with the skills to fill these jobs. The plan includes... up to $6 million in grants from the Departments of Education & Labor to expand employer involvement in school-to-work programs (see http://www.stw.ed.gov/). $3 million in Department of Labor demonstration projects, in partnership with employers & training providers that train dislocated workers for high-tech jobs. 4 town hall meetings sponsored by the Department of Commerce to showcase best practices & successful models. For more information, please see: http://www.ed.gov/PressReleases/01-1998/wh-112.html

FAMILY INVOLVEMENT IN CHILDREN'S LEARNING Strategies used by 20 local Title I programs to overcome barriers to parent involvement are featured in an idea book recently added to our website, "Family Involvement in Children's Education: Successful Local Approaches." Among the many approaches... Ferguson Elementary, a schoolwide program in Philadelphia (PA), uses Title I funds to compensate teachers who conduct evening & weekend parent workshops. Title I funds also support a parent involvement coordinator & a school-community coordinator who together operate a Parent Network that helps teachers tell students & parents about upcoming events. An open house drew 350 parents, compared with 30 parents 6 years earlier. In addition, about 50 parents volunteer as classroom aides each week. At Buhrer Elementary, a schoolwide program in Cleveland (OH), teachers hold parent conferences off-campus in places that are closer to the homes of parents & students. The school also sponsors Block Parent Meetings for families who cannot attend school events because they live on the outskirts of the community & lack transportation. Block meetings are scheduled every 2-3 months in a parent's home or a nearby library, and they address parent concerns & offer an opportunity to share school-related information. A typical meeting attracts 18-20 parents, & the principal reports a continuing increase in the number of block parents attending school functions since the program began. The full text of this 150-page idea book is at: http://www.ed.gov/pubs/FamInvolve/ Note: A schoolwide program school may use Title I funds combined with other federal education funds to upgrade the school's entire educational program rather than to deliver federally supported services only to identified children. Under the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994, Title I requires that schools & districts adopt specific strategies for developing school-family partnerships.

YEAR 2000 WEBPAGE The Department has created a webpage on the "Year 2000 problem" for use by Department customers & the entire education community, all of whom can expect to be affected. Information about what the Department is doing to become Year 2000 compliant & what Department customers & partners can do is provided at the site: http://www.ed.gov/y2k/ Background: The Year 2000 problem is caused by the fact that many computer applications & systems were programmed with a 2-digit year (instead of a 4- digit year). These applications & systems may stop working or produce inaccurate data at the turn of the century. This problem also affects personal computers, local area networks, telecommunications systems, and other devices with embedded technology (chips) such as heating & cooling systems, safety alarms, building security systems, elevators, and telephone switching equipment.

NEW ONLINE The "Digest of Education Statistics 1997" (December 1997) is a compilation of statistical information covering American education from kindergarten through graduate school. It includes statistical information on the numbers of schools & colleges, teachers, enrollments, and graduates, in addition to educational attainment, finances, federal funds for education, employment and income of graduates, libraries, international education, population trends, attitudes on education, education characteristics of the labor force, government finances, economic trends & more. The Digest is produced by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Have a comment or suggestion on ED Initiatives? Please send it to Kirk Winters in the Office of the Under Secretary at kirk.winters@ed.gov.

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