DREXEL HILL – Gov. Edward G. Rendell today urged Pennsylvania schools to join his innovative “Classrooms for the Future” initiative while seeing first-hand the technology program’s positive impact at Upper Darby High School in Drexel Hill, Delaware County.
A $200 million, three-year initiative, Classrooms for the Future is designed to make every high school English, math, science and social studies classroom in Pennsylvania a “smart” classroom, providing laptop computers, high-speed internet access and state-of-the-art software for every teacher and student. One hundred three schools from 79 school districts are participating in the first year of the program.
“We cannot continue to teach our children with the tools of the past and expect them to be adequately prepared for the jobs of the future,” Rendell said. “Our innovative and successful Classrooms for the Future program will help Pennsylvania students to be better prepared to compete and succeed in the new global economy.
“Study after study shows how valuable it is to invest in laptop technology for our students,” Rendell added. “Laptops and multi-media equipment, combined with effective teacher training to truly harness the technology, produce higher student participation and performance. These new investments are essential if we are to ensure Pennsylvania’s children are prepared for careers in science and technology.”
Rendell was joined by Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, Chair of the National Governors Association. Napolitano said the visionary CFF program is exactly the type of forward-thinking technology program the NGA is highlighting through its Innovation America initiative.
Rendell encouraged schools to apply for the second year of Classrooms for the Future, for which he has included in his proposed 2007-08 budget $90 million for equipment and $11 million for teacher training. The Department of Education expects an additional 254 schools to join during the second year, bringing to 357 the total number of schools involved – more than half of Pennsylvania’s 611 high schools.
In addition, Rendell announced that the Governor’s Institute for Innovation and Education will be held July 23-25 in State College, Centre County. The conference will bring together educators, administrators and other stakeholders to discuss how best to design 21st century schools.
For more information about Classrooms for the Future and the Governor’s Institute for Innovation and Education, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education Web site at www.pde.state.pa.us.