Brian Fitzgerald's Radio Weblog

Monday, March 24, 2003

A vision beyond cuts
According to a NY Times article the students of Maine are winners even if former Governor Angus King wasn't in a bid to retain his gubernatorial position. The NY Times article (requires a free membership to view) suggests that laptop computers in the hands of students does improve learning. In a time where state funded education is under attack by those with limited vision such a story provides a glimmer of hope that there are those that not only talk about education but are willing to fall on a political sword for it. Good ideas are not always popular ideas, but the dividends they pay are far more tangible than what is derived from cuts that ultimately leave us wondering what might have been if those cuts hadn't stifled innovation in education. [klanger News]

While it might be a very successful program, I don't think that anybody in these times can be exempted from budget cuts. I certainly would hate to see the maintenance of a program providing so many computers to students prevent school districts from having the funds to properly staff schools or provide the basics. Brazil has long been proud of some of its technology initiatives, being one of the first to have computerized voting systems, while such a large proportion of their population struggles to find food and clean water. First, let's take care of the core needs before we start hitting the "wants" list. Second, let's be willing to take our cuts like the rest of the state's budgets. At the same time that comments like "How do they expect us to educate..." are flying around, there are similar comments at the Department of Roads, the State Patrol and other critical offices and departments around the state. Technology has had its heyday, now it's time for us in technology to sit back and take our place next to all of the other curricular areas that take what they can get and push on.
8:29:35 AM