GOVERNOR RILEY ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF ACCESS DISTANCE LEARNING FOR SCHOOLS
The following information was released by the office of the Alabama Governor Bob Riley:
Governor Bob Riley on Wednesday announced 20 additional schools in Alabama are being provided the technology necessary to offer distance learning courses to their students as part of the state's ACCESS initiative. Governor Riley made the announcement at the annual Alabama Educational Technology Conference in Birmingham.
"One thing that has held our education system back is that many schools have not been able to provide advanced courses and languages to students. This is especially true in our rural schools and smaller schools. With ACCESS, we're helping to solve that problem by putting cutting edge technology in the classroom. This is a 21st century approach to learning and it will give our children more educational opportunities than ever before," Governor Riley said.
"When the school year resumes this fall, 4,500 students from all across Alabama will be taking courses through ACCESS," Governor Riley said. "By spring, that number will increase to 10,000."
Governor Riley first proposed ACCESS during his 2005 State of the State Address. The initiative was launched in January 2006 with the selection of the first 24 schools to serve as ACCESS pilot sites. ACCESS is delivered to schools through two components - web-based courses and interactive videoconferencing courses (IVC).
The 20 new expansion sites located across the state were determined through a competitive/needs-based application process. The schools will be provided the necessary technology, equipment and support to deliver and receive interactive distance learning. Multipoint videoconferencing equipment will connect school-based students with Alabama certified "e-teachers" in synchronization during the school day. Each student will also have use of a tablet computer for connection with interactive video of online content. Modules developed and/or approved by the Alabama Department of Education and aligned with state content standards will help maximize and expand student learning opportunities.
For teacher support, professional development and training will be provided through an ACCESS Distance Learning Support Center.
Although 44 high schools have received or will soon receive funds for the necessary technology, any high school that currently has an internet connection can register for ACCESS courses offered over the internet and any high school that has videoconferencing capabilities can register for the ACCESS courses offered by IVC.
"This fall we're really making ACCESS distance learning available statewide," Governor Riley said. "The expansion of this phase of ACCESS will help overcome obstacles faced by many small and/or rural schools and provide more comprehensive, challenging, and diverse curriculum and educational experiences to afford all students opportunities to succeed in a 21st century workforce," said State Superintendent of Education Joe Morton. "ACCESS is a fantastic program that all schools benefit from regardless of size, location, or per pupil expenditures."
Funding for the ACCESS pilot schools and expansion sites has come from both state and federal funds, including the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Delta Regional Authority.
Below is a list of the 20 expansion schools.
High school name: School system:
Athens High School Athens City
Jess Lanier High School Bessemer
West Blocton Bibb County
Georgiana Butler County
Sand Rock Cherokee County
Maplesville Chilton County
Choctaw County Choctaw County
Coffeeville Clarke County
Lineville Clay County
Ranburne Cleburne County
Guntersville Guntersville City
Hale County Hale County
Booker T. Washington Macon County
Booker T. Washington Montgomery County
Carroll Ozark City
Francis Marion Perry County
Pickens County Pickens County
Randolph County Randolph County
Scottsboro Scottsboro City
Charles Henderson Troy City
For a list of the 24 pilot sites, please visit:
http://www.governorpress.alabama.gov/ pr/pr-2005-11-18-02-accessdistancelearn.asp