Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 28, 1998
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke launches statewide educational tools for the digital age

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke today launched the learning tools of the future for all Washington schools. Demonstrating one of education's new technologies, Locke and Dr. Kenneth J. Minnaert, South Puget Sound Community College president, used videoconference technology in Olympia to speak with Dr. Sam Smith, president of Washington State University, in Spokane.

"These new learning tools - like the one we are using today - will help prepare children and adults for a lifetime of successful learning," said Locke. "By adding the tools of telecommunications to our education system, we will bring our schools into the age of technology."

The K-20 Educational Telecommunications Network connects all levels of education, kindergarten through graduate school, offering Internet, intranet, satellite-delivered "distance learning" programs and videoconferencing capabilities.

The first phase of the $54.5 million network became operational in November 1997 after being completed on time and $700,000 under budget. The network connected the state's main university and college campuses, community and technical colleges, and nine regional educational service districts serving kindergarten through high school.

Over the next two years, the network will be connected to the state's 296 public K-12 school districts, higher education branch campuses and private four-year institutions. Subsequent phases will link public libraries and other sites.

The Washington State Legislature approved the network in 1996. The result is a high-speed, large capacity network that spans the state, connecting every population center to the learning tools of the 21st century. It is one of the largest public telecommunications networks in the nation, and the only educational network known to connect all segments of education by using widespread videoconferencing technologies in the curriculum.

Locke commended legislators for helping ensure the K-20 Network serves all students. "Whether you live in Greater Spokane or Seattle, or the many rural areas throughout the state, all students will have equal access to high quality learning opportunities through technology," he said.

The network is a collaborative effort of the public and private sectors, while the Washington State Department of Information Services is responsible for network design and coordination. Overseeing the project are the Information Services Board and the 16-member Telecommunications Oversight and Policy Committee (TOPC) comprised of legislators, state agency executives and educators. TOPC members participating in the videoconference included Rep. Tom Huff of Gig Harbor, Sen. Jeanette Wood of Snohomish County, Sen. Al Bauer of Clark County, Rep. Helen Sommers of Seattle, Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson and Marc Gaspard, executive director of the Higher Education Coordinating Board.

The cost-effective design avoids many expenses of a stand-alone network. It builds upon the backbone of Washington's unique Intergovernmental Network - a state-run telecommunications infrastructure - and uses portions of existing public and private telecommunications networks.

Steve Kolodney, director of the Department of Information Services and convenor of TOPC, said the state's leverage as a volume buyer of telecommunications goods and services helps keep costs down. "The network demonstrates how government resources can be leveraged to serve the people of Washington," said Kolodney.

Locke and TOPC members will formally recognize the completion of the network's first phase at 5:30 p.m. today at an event in the Capitol Rotunda.

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