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Classrooms for the Future Press Release

DATE: August 31, 2007BLAIRSVILLE-SALTSBURG SCHOOL DISTRICT TO ENHANCE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH USE OF COMPUTERS AND ENHANCED TECHNOLOGY BLAIRSVILLE AND SALTSBURG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO BENEFIT THIS YEAR THROUGH LANDMARK 'CLASSROOMS FOR THE FUTURE' PROGRAMBlairsville-Saltsburg, Pennsylvania - Students at both the Blairsville and Saltsburg High Schools in the Blairsville-Saltsburg School District will soon benefit under a new program that will transform their education from the traditional textbook, chalk and blackboard experience to one that utilizes computers, the Internet and enhanced technology.Both Blairsville and Saltsburg High Schools were selected with other high schools across Pennsylvania that will embark on the second year of Classrooms for the Future in order to increase student achievement and success by providing state-of-the-art equipment and enhanced teacher development."We are constantly seeking ways to better prepare our students for success, certainly in the classroom, but for life beyond their days in our two high schools," Blairsville-Saltsburg School District Superintendent Arnie Nadonley said. "That's why we are extremely excited to bring Classrooms for the Future to both the Blairsville and Saltsburg High Schools. Our students will have the types of tools necessary to enable them to increase their current rate of achievement and provide them a solid foundation to build upon while pursuing a college degree or a well-paying high-tech job."Classrooms for the Future is Governor Edward G. Rendell's initiative to put a laptop computer on every high school English, math, science and social studies desk and to provide teachers with a multimedia workstation and intensive training to enhance education. Governor Rendell's 2007-08 Budget provided $90 million for the second year of Classrooms for the Future, which the Governor intends to expand statewide.The Blairsville-Saltsburg School District has been awarded a $291, 643 grant in order to transform its classrooms through this project. In the 2007-08 school year, students in both the Blairsville and Saltsburg High Schools will benefit through this initiative."We cannot prepare the Technology Generation to be the innovators, leaders and entrepreneurs of the 21st century just using chalk and blackboards," Governor Rendell said. "Classrooms for the Future will not only help to boost achievement while our students are still in high school, but they will be primed for success in college and beyond, especially in fields that require advanced skills with computers and technology."If we are to adequately prepare our students to effectively compete in the global marketplace, we must transform how they learn and how teachers teach," the Governor added. "The schools selected for the first year of Classrooms for the Future will serve as a model to the hundreds of schools we intend to fund through this program over the coming years."An additional $11 million in state and federal resources will be used to train teachers and administrators on how to best harness the power of technology to enhance classroom discussions, lessons and projects.In addition to the laptops, each classroom will be equipped with a Smartboard and projector, Web cams and other video cameras. Teachers and students will also have access to imaging software."The world has changed so much since Superintendent Nadonley and I were in high school," Secretary of Education Gerald L. Zahorchak said. "Back then, chalkboards and textbooks were sufficient for teachers to provide a quality education, but if today's students are to be provided with a high-quality education that will ensure success in the high-tech global marketplace, we need to invest in programs that give them a leg up on the competition. Classrooms for the Future is that type of program."###

The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at www.governor.state.pa.us.