$35 million for state grants to local school districts to continue improving their technology infrastructure, lowering their student to computer ratio, updating their equipment, and training teachers to use technology effectively for learning, as specified by their state-approved technology plans. (Requires three to one match.)
$10 million continuation funding for the Massachusetts Community Network which will make high speed Internet service available to every municipality, school, library, and National Guard Armory in the state at much less than the cost of comparable commercial service. (Initial funding of $5M came during the last legislative session)
$5 million for grants to fund computer learning centers in state family public housing or other community centers that serve low-income students.
MASSACHUSETTS IS STILL FAR BEHIND OTHER STATES
Although the Ed Tech Bond Bill, Net Days, and local technology plans moved us up from 48th in the nation, the latest (FY'98) national data from QED, shows Massachusetts is not done:
CATEGORY DATA RANK
Student per computer 7.2 30th in the nation
Student per multimedia computer 14.2 40th.
Schools with online access 83.6% 25th.
MATCHING GRANTS ENCOURAGE LOCAL INVESTMENT
Three years ago the $30M in state-funded matching grants to schools was the
catalyst for a $150M local investment in technology infrastructure.
Schools must be able to prepare all students in the use of the information technologies
that they will need to participate in our high tech economy.
Up-to-date tools will facilitate reform, improve learning and attendance, and
enable data-gathering and accountability.
Technology spending is not now part of the foundation budget.
MANY STUDENTS HAVE NO COMPUTER ACCESS OUTSIDE SCHOOL
By the year 2000, over 60% of jobs will require using technology
Access in public housing and other community centers helps to equalize opportunity.
MASSACHUSETTS COMMUNITY NETWORK WILL SERVE EVERY COMMUNITY.
The schools alone will save $127M over 5 years; sharing costs mean low cost
for all.
High speed access to vast Internet resources will enable advanced learning services,
increase economic competitiveness, reduce government travel, and improve efficiency.