Generation Why, a program that allows students to work with teachers to create multimedia teaching tools, is expanding under the new name Teens and Teachers Teaming for Technology. Project consultants who ensure conformity with Alabama educational standards analyze the lesson plans created by the student/teacher partnerships. Final presentations may become permanent parts of the teachers lesson plans.
Alaska
Alaska has been working on phase one of the Land Mobile Radio project. The project uses narrow-band technology to build a common backbone to allow interoperable radio communication between military, federal, state and local agencies.
Craig Stender is the new deputy director of the Government Information Technology Agency for Arizona. Stenders primary responsibilities are the Arizona @ Your Service Web portal; the Policies, Standards and Procedures program; the Shared Resources project; mainframe consolidation; and cross agency applications.
Arkansas
The Arkansas Administrative Statewide Information System went live last month. The projects goals are to standardize, integrate and streamline the financial and administrative functions of Arkansas state government.
California
Gov. Gray Davis said in May that Californias Education Technology Grant Program will use $19.6 million to purchase 110,000 computers for California high schools by fall 2002, lowering the student-to-computer ratio to 5-to-1. In addition to computers, $4 million will go toward Internet wiring and other hardware for students to access online advanced-placement courses.
In May, Gov. Bill Owens appointed 13 new members to the states Multi-Use Network Taskforce. The group was created to implement a statewide telecommunications infrastructure among state agencies, departments and institutions.
Connecticut
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) program office and the Department of Information Technology launched a new Web site to serve as a resource for agencies and members of the HIPAA working group. The HIPAA program office is organizing statewide efforts to ensure full compliance in affected agencies.
Delaware
Gov. Ruth Ann Minner announced in May that the state would overhaul its IT infrastructure. Changes include redefining the role of CIO, replacing the Office of Information Services with a Department of Technology and Information and establishing a Technology Investment Council.
Florida
The state Technology Office and the Agency for Workforce Innovation launched a new IT Job Bank. The bank will connect high-tech workers, employers and training providers throughout Florida to address workforce needs.
Georgia
In May, the Georgia Technology Authority requested bids from vendors for its Converged Communications Outsourcing Project. The project will allow the state to purchase telecommunications services through a single vendor. Services include local and long-distance phone service, Internet access, data transfer, video services, mobile messaging, paging and other telecom services.
Hawaii
Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris announced in May that the city would provide public access to computers in four Oahu district parks. The parks will each inherit four previously used computers from city offices that upgraded to newer models.
Idaho
The Department of Administrations Division of Purchasing implemented its Internet-based electronic purchasing system in July. This comes in the wake of purchasing modernization legislation signed into law in March.
Illinois
Gov. George Ryan announced in May that distance-learning courses have become more popular among college students. Enrollments rose more than 44 percent compared to Spring 2000 statistics, according to the Illinois Virtual Campus (IVC). The IVC offers 2,615 online courses throughout Illinois and beyond.
Indiana
The Indiana Association of Educational Service Centers entered into a public/private partnership in May to allow member districts to purchase supplies at nationally negotiated prices. The electronic process mirrors the schools own workflow with built-in controls based on their approval process.
Iowa
The Iowa state Senate approved Richard Varn as chief information officer in May. Gov. Tom Vilsak appointed Varn CIO in 1999 but the position was recently made a cabinet-level post, making it subject to Senate approval.
Kansas
The Electronic Offender Management Information System (EOMIS) was implemented last month as a joint project between the Department of Community Punishment and the Department of Corrections. EOMIS is a shared case-management and tracking system that will provide parole and probation data. Future upgrades include an inmate-tracking system.
Kentucky
Kentuckys Cabinet for Families and Children and the Office of Technology Services began a data-mining pilot project last month. The system will allow staff to utilize existing infrastructure and IT investment, creating a single point of access to analyze, visualize and report information about families served by the cabinet.
Louisiana
The Louisiana E-Mall opened in June. The mall acts as an e-commerce storefront for citizens to purchase government goods and services such as publications, maps, licenses, permits and facility reservations. Five state agencies are currently participating: the Department of Economic Development, the Department of Insurance, the Department of Transportation and Development, the Louisiana Real Estate Commission and the Office of the State Registrar.
Maine
Enhanced 911 services are scheduled to go statewide this month. As Enhanced 911 becomes available, it will replace the seven- and 10-digit telephone numbers currently used to report emergencies in many Maine communities.
Maryland
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Massachusetts
The Criminal Justice Training Council completed the IT Training Lab in May in the town of Agawam. This is the third operational lab in the state, with two more expected next year.
Michigan
Steve Klein, former CEO of a major technical-material developing company, became president of the Ann Arbor IT Zone in June. The IT Zone brings together entrepreneurs, businesses, universities and community resources in order to bolster Southeast Michigans IT community.
Minnesota
Gov. Jesse Venturas Web site went live in May. The site is titled Virtual Ventura and utilizes graphic representations of the governor guiding visitors through the site. Also included on the main pages are audio clips and print-and-fax forms for citizens to book the governor for special events.
Mississippi
The Nurturing Homes Initiative, a program for low-income child-care providers, is offering participating caregivers Internet access and e-mail accounts. Equipment and service will be provided at no charge to participants for the duration of the program. -- Starkville Daily News
Missouri
The Missouri Association for Adult Continuing and Community Education held its annual conference in June. One topic discussed was the statewide implementation of a Web-based instructional program for adults.
Montana
The states new Web site went live in May. One new offering on the site is a State Parks Passport, which allows residents and tourists unlimited access to Montana state parks for a full season.
Nebraska
A statewide traveler-information telephone number was proposed in May. The 511 number would offer updated information on topics such as road conditions, hotel accommodations and restaurants. The program is scheduled to be rolled out Oct 1. -- The Independent
Nevada
The Nevada Legislative Council Bureau is making plans to provide Web support for wireless devices such as cellular phones and PDAs. The new support
New Hampshire
John ODonnell will take over the role of commissioner of the New Hampshire Community Technical College System. ODonnell has served as president of the New Hampshire Community Technical College at Manchester and Stratham since 1999.
New Jersey
The Hackensack Meadowlands Development Commission has a new approval-tracking system. The new system will streamline processes for zoning, land use and construction permits by aligning data, review and approval procedures.
New Mexico
The state has been working on the Multi-Agency Network (MAGnet), which will provide high-speed, broadband infrastructure to support federal, state and local governments as well as the academic community. The infrastructure will also serve as the anchor tenant for private industry.
New York
In May, Gov. George Pataki announced awards totaling $102.5 million to create eight Strategically Targeted Academic Research Centers and five Advanced Research Centers throughout the state. The new centers will target high-tech research and economic development in New York.
North Carolina
Residents of the states Triangle area can now obtain air-quality information through a Web site. The site shows current levels of ozone and particulate matter measured by the states Division of Air Qualitys Millbrook monitoring station in North Raleigh. The sites color-coded forecasts tell people whether levels of ozone are likely to be good (green), moderate (yellow), unhealthy for sensitive groups (orange) or unhealthy (red).
North Dakota
The Office of State Tax Commissioner has updated its Web site to include a worksheet and flowchart based on the recently passed H.B. 1399. Taxpayers can now figure their income taxes based on varying income tax brackets and tax rates.
Ohio
The states Supreme Court announced in May that it has established minimum standards for Ohio courts wishing to accept court filings and signatures electronically. The rules became effective July 1.
Oklahoma
The Oklahoma State Treasurers Office has installed remote check-printing systems at ten universities and six other agencies across the state. They will allow users to print check disbursements from general fund accounts at the agencys location.
Oregon
Twenty research scientists from Oregon State University, Portland State University and the University of Oregon have been named Intel Faculty Fellows for 2001. Their selection is accompanied by grants totaling $290,000 to be used to develop new curricula or enhance student laboratory facilities.
Pennsylvania
The Department of State will begin pilot programs in three Cumberland County precincts to provide secure, online voting. The new system is expected to increase speed, security and accuracy of election results.
Rhode Island
In May, the Rhode Island Department of Health created its Bathing Beaches Web site. The department will post beach closures, openings, advisories and current water-quality conditions daily throughout the summer.
South Carolina
Hilton Head Island integrated a new computer-aided dispatch system in May for its public-safety efforts. The new system includes automatic vehicle-location software, which will facilitate the response to 911 calls by dispatching the closest-available unit.
South Dakota
The Bureau of Information and Telecommunications has completed phase one of its enterprise output management project, which will allow electronic report distribution. Phase one included setting requirements for software and hardware as well as establishing pilot conversion programs for existing reports.
Tennessee
The Knox County Sheriffs Department received a new mobile information system that will allow officers to share information with the Knoxville Police Department and neighboring Blount County
Texas
Texans can now renew their drivers licenses online at the states Web site. The new program went live in May. Citizens may change their addresses online, as well.
Utah
The state has entered the federal Watch Your Car motor-vehicle theft-prevention program. The program will help identify potential stolen vehicles and enable law enforcement officers to access information from the states DMV registration database.
Vermont
The Department of Finance and Management installed a new financial software system last month. The new system is completely Web-enabled for easier use by employees.
Virginia
Virginia businesses will now have access to certain NASA-developed technologies thanks to an agreement between NASAs Technology Commercialization Center and Virginias Center for Innovative Technology. Some of the options include broadband noise absorbers, flux focusing, macro-fiber composite actuators and thermal-bond inspection systems.
Washington
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West Virginia
Gov. Bob Wise launched a new initiative in May to develop a statewide telecommunications system that will incorporate voice, video, data and Internet. The network will connect rural and urban areas of the state.
Wisconsin
The Department of Commerce held a seminar in May to help Wisconsin businesses find, win and follow through with federal contracting opportunities. The free seminar focused on e-commerce and U.S. Small Business Administration initiatives.
Wyoming
Project WYO.BEST (Better Education through Standards and Technology) was launched to provide teachers hands-on opportunities to learn standards-based teaching and technology-integration practices. In June, approximately 900 Wyoming teachers enrolled in the program and will become peer trainers within their own districts.
