2001 Texas Capitol Schoolhouse Brings the Classroom to the Texas Capitol; Teachers, Students Showcase How Technology is Changing Education.

Business Editors

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 15, 2001

Students from across the state are meeting at the Texas Capitol in Austin on Feb. 15 and 16 to offer high-tech industry leaders and legislators a firsthand glance at how technology is improving education.

The focus of the event is to promote lifelong learning by emphasizing the importance of keeping technology in the classrooms and an ongoing funding commitment for educational technologies. Fourteen school districts will be represented with up to four students from each district. Students will be involved in a variety of activities, including demonstrating technology programs, attending capitol and legislative events, and highlighting research made possible by technology.

The fourth-annual 2001 Texas Capitol Schoolhouse is being attended by State Senators Teel Bivins, Gonzalo Barrientos, Rodney Ellis and State Representative Paul Sadler and will give students and teachers an opportunity to illustrate how technology has improved education in the public school system.

"Technology has become a part of everyone's life," said Steve Kester, AeA Texas Council Director of Legislative and Public Affairs. "Technology will continue to grow at a rapid pace, and that means that teaching students how to use technology and teaching teachers how to integrate technology into the classroom is more important than every before."

The first Capitol School House event in 1993 started a Texas tradition among legislators, educators, high-tech leaders and students. For the first time, links in the learning chain were able to come together and see their hard work come to fruition.

"I sponsored the first Capitol Schoolhouse eight years ago to help educate the legislature on the importance of teaching students how to become familiar and comfortable with technology," said Senator Barrientos. "The advances students and teachers have made since then are amazing -- these kids can run circles around many adults when it comes to using technology."

"We've come a long way since the days of a No. 2 pencil and a Big Chief tablet. When I drop by the Texas Capitol Schoolhouse and watch the student at work, it's a good reminder for me and my colleagues that, by investing in technology, the Legislature is investing in the future of young Texans," said Senator Bivins, Chairman of the Senate Education Committee.

"We need to give our teachers the support and tools necessary to ensure that our children learn the skills to not only succeed in our high-tech future, but to thrive," said Senator David Cain. "Technology is a powerful tool that links our children to a much broader world."

Other sponsors include: AeA, Apple, Texas Education Agency, Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund, AMD, Motorola, M/C/C, Texas Instruments, Intel, National Semiconductor, Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, Advantage Graphics, Fullbright & Jaworski, Barrett Kendall Publishing, Internet Schoolhouse, Lightspan and Scientific Learning.

About AeA

Advancing the Business of Technology, AeA is the nation's largest high-tech trade association. Founded in 1943, AeA has more than 3,700 member companies that span the high-technology spectrum, from software, semiconductors and computers to Internet technology, advanced electronics and telecommunications systems and services. With 17 regional U.S. councils and offices in Brussels and Beijing, AeA offers a unique global policy grassroots capability and a wide portfolio of valuable business services and products for the high-tech industry. For 58 years, AeA has been the accepted voice of the U.S. technology community. The AeA Texas Council has offices in both Austin and Dallas. For more information about AeA's public policy efforts, contact Steve Kester at 512/474-4403 or e-mail: [e-mail]. For more information about AeA visit their intranet at www.aeanet.org or call Melissa Hendrick 972/416-1956 x223 or email: [e-mail].