"We want to keep Pennsylvania's kids competitive, we want to keep jobs coming to Pennsylvania, and the 'Classrooms for the Future' initiative does just that," Jane Hershberger, an assistant principal at Avon Grove High School, told about 90 educators who gathered in the Capitol Rotunda to call on the General Assembly to continue funding the initiative in the budget year that begins July 1.
"Classrooms for the Future" is a three-year investment to provide laptop computers, high-speed internet access and state-of-the-art software to high school classrooms across the state.
Governor Rendell's 2007-08 budget proposes an additional $90 million to provide 254 more high schools with 83,000 laptop computers and related equipment. An $11 million investment will provide high-quality professional development to 12,100 teachers in new Classrooms for the Future high schools. Under Governor Rendell's plan, every high school would be part of Classrooms for the Future by 2009.
Educators who have witnessed Classrooms for the Future during its first year say it has helped students to become more actively engaged in their studies.
"Students come to school motivated and ready to learn," said Nancy Hlavaty of the Scranton School District. "This initiative is vital for our students, for our parents; for our state."
Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak said the enthusiasm "Classrooms for the Future" has generated among teachers and students is one of the keys to its success.
"We've heard stories of students showing up early at school and staying late because they have become so absorbed in technology-related learning," Zahorchak said. "Some teachers have told us absenteeism has dropped and participation in classroom discussions has increased -- all because this technology has fueled students' appetite for learning."
Dr. Zahorchak credited the success of Classrooms for the Future in part to the support being voiced publicly by teachers and administrators like those who gathered at the Capitol.
