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School Board Journal
May / June, 1996

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Stateside -- Technology must be a priority
By JOSEPH A. SPAGNOLO

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With the $15 million allocated for technology this fiscal year, the State Board of Education:

• launched six Educational Technology Hubs to get technology services to schools across the state,
  
• deployed a statewide computer network,
  
• established Internet "points of presence" on the network,
  
• awarded grants to schools for on-line curriculum projects,
  
• provided technology resources for 36 economically challenged schools, and
  
• wrote the Illinois K-12 Plan for Information and Technology.

In addition, the increased funding would also support the following activities:

• staff development in learning technologies for 20,000 teachers and administrators;
  
• new training models that directly impact student learning in Illinois classrooms;
  
• expanded assistance and services to public schools by the Learning Technology Hubs;
  
• increased sharing and exchanges of "lessons learned" in the use of technology and telecommunications;
  
• resources to help an additional 36 economically challenged school districts;
  
• additional schools and museums to the "Museum in the Classroom" initiative;
  
• design and implementation of student-centered, technology-enriched learning models in 100 plus school buildings;
  
• electronic data transfer for select K-12 programs; and
  
• affordable access to the Internet for certified teachers, K-12 students and public school employees.

Joseph A. Spagnolo is Illinois State Superintendent of Education.