Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 20, 2003
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gary Locke Announces Creation of Digital Learning Commons; Education Tool Hailed as First of Its Kind in the Nation

Gov. Gary Locke today announced the creation of the Washington Digital Learning Commons to help students, teachers and parents better use technology as an effective education tool.

The Digital Learning Commons is a web-based portal that will improve education in Washington by delivering high quality digital resources, learning tools and online courses to all students, teachers and parents in the state – regardless of location, background or school district resources. It is said to be the first high-tech learning tool of its kind in the nation.

“Times are changing, and we must change with them,” Locke said. “Our students deserve the best education possible to prepare them for the high-tech, global economy that awaits them after graduation. The Digital Learning Commons will help them do that.”

Locke formed the Digital Education Task Force last year. The group recommended that the Digital Learning Commons be built through a phased approach.

To that end, starting in September 2003, approximately 15 schools across the state will participate in a “proof of concept” phase, to field test and evaluate the implementation, outcomes and policies of the Digital Learning Commons. Even in the initial phase, however, many of the tools and resources should be available to all parents, teachers and students in the state.

Locke, Terry Bergeson, state superintendent of public instruction, and Stuart McKee, director of the state Department of Information Services, demonstrated the Digital Learning Commons today at Foster High School in Tukwila. Locke and McKee also demonstrated the project at Toppenish High School in Toppenish near Yakima. Both schools are part of the “proof of concept” phase.

“This innovative pilot project provides an opportunity for students to participate in high quality, meaningful courses that they might not otherwise be able to access,” Bergeson said. “I look forward to working with the partners to ensure the Washington Digital Learning Commons offers the highest quality content based on Washington's academic standards.”

Private foundations will partner with the state over the next two fiscal years to create a new non-profit organization to build, run and evaluate the Digital Learning Commons. With anticipated foundation grants of $3 million, the state share of the $5 million budget will be approximately 40 percent of the total. Locke included $2 million for the Digital Learning Commons in his 2003-05 budget.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation have committed funds to the Digital Learning Commons project. The Gates and Hewlett Foundations also provided funding for the work of the task force. The Technology Alliance and the University of Washington have provided staff and administrative support for both the task force and the Digital Learning Commons project.

“Every state should pursue a rich array of online learning options and resources,” said Tom Vander Ark, executive director of education for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “For students in small or isolated schools, Washington’s Digital Learning Commons will have a particular impact.”

The Digital Learning Commons builds on the success of the K-20 Network, run by the state Department of Information Services. The K-20 Network is a high-speed telecommunications network providing Internet access and live videoconferencing capabilities to the state’s public school districts, higher education institutions and public libraries. Because of this network, students throughout the state in all geographic regions have access to the Internet.

“The Digital Learning Commons is using this robust network to offer communications capabilities and learning opportunities to help prepare our students for the 21st century workforce,” said Stuart McKee, director of the Department of Information Services. “The Digital Learning Commons takes the K-20 Network to the next level.”

For a copy of the task force’s report, log on to www.governor.wa.gov.

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