From the Office of Senator Kerry

Wednesday, June 28, 2000

Washington, D.C. – Senator John F. Kerry (D-MA) introduced today an amendment that would increase the investment in the Technology Literacy Challenge Fund by $25 million to meet the Administration's request of $450 million. The Technology Literacy Challenge Fund provides funding to states to improve technology access, education, professional development, and instruction in elementary and secondary schools. To qualify for funding, states must submit a statewide technology plan, which includes strategies on how the states will include private, state, local, and other entities in the continued financing and support of technology in schools. Funds are awarded to local educational agencies on a competitive basis within each state.

"Technology, when it can be accessed and effectively used, provides young people with astonishing opportunities for learning," said Senator Kerry. "The Department of Commerce has projected that by 2006 nearly half of all U.S. workers will be employed in industries that produce or intensively use information technology, products, and services. The reality of our workplace is that most workers will need basic computer skills just to enter their chosen occupations and additional in order to advance their careers. I believe this grant program, and other efforts like this that seek to close the digital divide, must be funded at sufficient levels in order to provide our young people with the opportunities to succeed in the new economy."

In just a few years most of schools have been wired to the Internet. In 1994 only 35 percent of public schools were connected to the Internet. By 1999, 95 percent of public schools were connected to the Internet. The focus has changed from getting schools connected to the Internet to one of training teachers to effectively use the technology, to integrate technology into the classroom, and to improve parental involvement through technology.

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