US/ND-2: Re: Thoughts from New York

Re: Thoughts from New York

Currie Morrison (currie@hale.ssd.k12.wa.us)
Thu, 5 Sep 1996 21:09:19 -0700 (PDT) 

On Thu, 5 Sep 1996, Preuss, Paul wrote:
>       We must focus on access.

Certainly access is a primary concern but of equal concern should be what
we do with this access, hence training becomes an equal and primary
concern as well.

>
>    2) The federal funding for access should be almost invisible to the
>       school/organization much in the same way as "state contract"
>       prices are negotiated for other commodities.

I have seen our state and school districts use federal money in ways
clearly not intended under the original legislation. I don't like a bunch
of strings attached any more than the next guy but I can see why they are
needed.

>       If the connections are made for the schools, libraries, etc - it
>       will not be long before the same connections are made available
>       to the community at large.

As an educator myself I tend to lean in the same direction although there
are many legitimate community organinzations who would be equally
deserving in my estimation.

>
>  Bottom line - let's keep it simple and focused upon the intent
>                realizing that there are many "related issues" with

Of course we can all agree the KISS method has a strong attraction. IMHO
however, I draw the line at just dropping the raw product at the doorstep
of the little red school house. I've seen the mess it creates when PEOPLE
scramble for power, new hierachies, job protection, lies, deceit,
incompetence, glory, backstabbing. Believe it or not technology scares the
bejeebers out of those in power who know nothing about it. VERY strange
things can happen because of this one reason.

I would minimally push for a training componet that requires a significant
percentage of what ever monies are spent on tech.

Of sourse we only need to do this if we intend to keep the promise of
making this all happen by the year 2000 ....as in goals 2000.... other
wise we can wait till the next generation of underpaid and underppreciated
teachers. :-)

Cheers!

Currie



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        ||      Currie Morrison       * currie@hale.ssd.k12.wa.us  ||
        ||  Nathan Hale High School   * Technology Coordinator     ||
        ||  HTTP://hale.ssd.k12.wa.us * Seattle Public Schools     ||
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