Congressional Commission Endorses Classroom Internet Use
Washington
Abipartisan commission established by Congress last month endorsed the
growing use of the Internet in the nation's K-12 and post-secondary classrooms. The commission also called on the federal government to promote online learning from preschool to the workplace. In its final report, the Web-based Education Commission signaled that the federal focus on classroom computer use — a Clinton administration priority — will remain on the agenda as President-elect George Bush and a new Congress take office.
The panel, chaired by retiring U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey, D-Neb., issued seven recommendations to push states, colleges and businesses as well as the federal government to capture the "extraordinary promise" of Web-based learning. The federal government should help by upgrading school Internet access to broadband connections for greater speed and capacity, according to the commission.
The panel also urged increased federal and state funding to support the expansion of educational technology. The panel called for changes in federal regulations that limit financial aid for students who take college courses over the Web.
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