For further information, contact:
Karen Sanborn, (313) 223-7194, karen.sanborn@ameritech.com
Patty Fahey, Sony Electronics (TSI), 212 320-2243
David Byer, National Coalition for Technology in Education and Training, (202) 452-1600, ext. 325.

Students In Five Midwest States Go To Capitol Hill Without Leaving Their Classrooms

WASHINGTON DC -- Classrooms throughout the Midwest were linked with Capitol Hill recently for a special education and technology event. Using live, two-way audio and video distance learning links provided by Ameritech, Sony Electronics and Video Images, students and congressmen debated everything from the economics of professional sports and environmental protection, to healthcare reform and a minimum wage increase.

(EDITORS NOTE : Attached is a list of the participating schools and the times and topics for their debates. To speak to a teacher or student involved in the debates, please contact Karen Sanborn at the number shown above.)

Representatives of leading technology companies and national education and trade organizations came together to honor the work of the U. S. Senate in advancing the use of technology in education. The event was well attended by the U.S. Senate and their staffs as well as others on Capitol Hill with an interest in education and technology. It provided them a hands-on experience with the technology currently being used in K-12 classrooms across the country.

"Substantial investment in education technology has enabled schools to access hardware, software and Internet connectivity, and provide for better trained teachers," said Barbara J. Yentzer, 1998-1999 President of the National Coalition for Technology in Education and Training (NCTET). "What has resulted is a transformation of thousands of classrooms to the digital age. Students in inner-city districts and remote rural schools, can now communicate with each other and share vast educational resources."

Yentzer thanked the U.S. Senate and their staffs for their continuing support, and welcomed their participation in future opportunities to recognize successful uses of technology in education.

Now in its second year, the event was endorsed by the National Coalition for Technology in Education and Training (NCTET), a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded in 1992 dedicated to promoting the most positive uses of technology to improve education and training. The event involves more than two dozen education groups and leading technology companies demonstrating cutting-edge technology applications and program materials geared toward improving learning and teaching in U.S. K-12 schools.

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Debate Topics and Participating Schools

International Trade: Free Trade vs. Protectionism

Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School, Broadview Hts., OH
Walled Lake Central High School, Walled Lake, MI

Economics of Professional Sports - Who are the winners and losers?

Warren Central High School, Indianapolis, IN
Washington High School, Milwaukee, WI

Environmental Protection

Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, Aurora, IL
North Royalton High School, North Royalton, OH

Minimum Wage Increase

Penn High School, Mishawaka, IN
Walled Lake Central High School, Walled Lake, MI

Healthcare Reform

Peoria Public School District 150, Peoria, IL
Madison University High School, Milwaukee, WI