The Need for Measurable Results

Linking the nation's schools to the Internet is a widely held goal. If we provide every student with access to online resources; opportunities to engage with experts, mentors, and peers; and supports to master real-world information and communication skills, we will go a long way toward helping our children succeed in today's society.

This endeavor requires an enormous investment. It is not just a matter of hardware and wires, it requires a new way of teaching and learning. It requires the support of the whole educational community, from the government to superintendents, principals, teachers, and parents.

To succeed in the workplace, children need to become independent, critical thinkers. They must know where and how to find information, organize it, evaluate it, and then effectively express their new knowledge and ideas. They must work cooperatively in teams. Online communications plays a vital role in preparing children for their adult lives. As we fund and implement these new communications technologies, it is important to know whether they actually improve student performance. It is also critically important to know what steps need to be taken in the school, the district, and the community to support their effective use in the classroom.