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COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Office for Information Technology
Commonwealth News Bureau
Room 308, Main Capitol
Harrisburg, Pa. 17120
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Scott Elliott
Phone: (717) 772-4237
E-Mail: selliott@state.pa.us
GOV. RIDGE ANNOUNCES PIONEERING ON-LINE SEMINAR
FOR EDUCATORS AND LIBRARIANS
Discussion Group Will Focus on FCC's Universal Service Fund
HARRISBURG (September 11) -- Gov. Tom Ridge announced today the creation of an innovative, on-line discussion group to provide Pennsylvania educators and librarians an opportunity to comment on the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) ongoing Universal Service Fund program.
The FCC's Universal Service Fund will aid schools and libraries across the country in their efforts to use educational technologies by providing discounts on voice, video and data telecommunications service totaling $2.25 billion. The fund is expected to provide over 110,000 libraries and schools nationwide with discounts of 20 to 90 percent on telecommunications services, including Internet access. As guidelines for the program are formulated, the FCC has invited states to comment.
Known as "Universal Service: Pennsylvania," the on-line discussion group is available to teachers and librarians in Pennsylvania who have a computer and an Internet e-mail address.
The project will offer optimum convenience and flexibility, since participants will be able to access information about the FCC's Universal Service Fund at any time of day using computers at either their home or work. Participants will be encouraged to submit their comments to Pennsylvania policy makers, who will be coordinating the state's response to the program.
"The FCC's Universal Service Fund will supplement Project Link-to-Learn, Pennsylvania's already substantial investment in educational technology," said Ridge, noting his three-year, $127 million educational technology initiative. "The significant savings generated by the Universal Service Fund will enable our schools and libraries to reinvest those funds to further enhance their technological capabilities."
The three-week, Internet-based discussion group begins on September 15 and concludes October 3. Ridge noted that the on-line discussions will enable local school district and library officials to provide valuable input that will help shape Pennsylvania's response to the FCC.
"By helping inform educators and librarians on this topic and providing them with an opportunity to shape Pennsylvania's response, this on-line seminar will help the Commonwealth gain the greatest benefits from the program. In today's technological world, that's a real plus for our children," Ridge said.
"Universal Service: Pennsylvania" is the Ridge administration's pilot project to explore the potential of modern computer networks for supporting public comment on state policy issues. The project is being sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Governor's Office of Administration, Office for Information Technology.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is also supporting the project by providing information on the Universal Service Fund to be shared through the discussion group. The PUC will summarize the results of the on-line project once it is completed.
The administrative details of the project are being overseen by Information Renaissance, a Pittsburgh-based, non-profit corporation that promotes regional computer networking in support of education, community development and economic revitalization.
The on-line discussion group is open to all educators, administrators, technology coordinators and librarians in K-12 schools, vocational-technical schools, intermediate units, community libraries and community colleges. Parents are also invited to join in the computer-based discussions.
The Universal Service Fund will be created with money provided by all telecommunications companies that offer interstate telecommunications services. The highest discounts are slated for the least wealthy schools and schools located in rural areas, where it is more expensive to provide telecommunications service. For more information on the "Universal Service: Pennsylvania" project, visit the Information Renaissance web site.
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Information Renaissance, the Governor's Office of Administration, Office for Information Technology, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education are hosting an online seminar on the Federal Communication Commission's Universal Service discount program. The Universal Service program is anticipated to provide annual discounts totaling $2.25 billion for telecommunication services for schools and libraries. Services eligible for discounts include voice, video and data. The seminar will be conducted with the assistance of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PaPUC) and is a pilot project for using the Internet to obtain public comment on regulatory issues.
Who is invited to participate? All K-12 educators, administrators, school and community librarians, technology coordinators, area vocational technical schools and community college teachers and administrators, parents and others interested in the educational needs of students, teachers and librarians. Participation is open only to Pennsylvania residents.
When and where: September 15 - October 3, 1997. Online, from your home or office, day or night, and at your convenience.
Why join the online discussion?
How will the online seminar work?
How do you register?
info@info-ren.organd request an electronic form. Complete and return the form.
For more information contact Bess Adams, seminar coordinator, by telephone 412.471.4636 or send e-mail to info@info-ren.org .
Information Renaissance is a nonprofit corporation which promotes regional networking in support of education, community development and economic revitalization.
- "Rapid deployment of advanced technology holds enormous promise for this Commonwealth. While it is true that we will all benefit from such initiatives, Pennsylvania's schools and libraries are among those which can realize the greatest potential."
- John M. Quain,
- Chairman, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
- "We need to find ways to stretch our investments. The Universal Service Fund helps to extend Link-to-Learn's investments and the efforts schools and libraries are making in technology."
- Eugene W. Hickok
- Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Education
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