Michigan Department of Education and Michigan Virtual University Launch $9.5 Million Grant Program for Wireless Learning Technology

Today, Rick Johnson (R), Michigan Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tom Watkins, Michigan Superintendent of Public Instruction, and David Spencer, President of Michigan Virtual University, announced the availability of five demonstration grants of up to $2 million each that will be awarded to Michigan school districts this fall under the Learning Without Limits education initiative. Learning Without Limits (LWL) is Johnson's project to help all Michigan students have one-to- one portable computing technology and Internet access by 2004.




The announcement of the $9.5 million program was made at a 10 a.m. news conference today at Michigan Virtual University's headquarters in Lansing, Michigan.

The LWL grants will be awarded through a competitive grant application process to be administered jointly by Michigan Virtual University and the Michigan Department of Education. A letter announcing the program to Michigan local and intermediate school districts this week will direct them to online application instructions at http://wireless.mivu.org and www.LearningWithoutLimitsMI.org . Grant applications are due by 5 p.m. October 8, 2002; winners will be announced in late October.

All local and intermediate school districts are eligible. Grant applications do not have to be for the whole school district. For example, when applying for one of the grants, a school district may decide to concentrate on one school or one grade level within the district. School districts receiving the grants will demonstrate how wireless computing technologies and applications can improve education in their schools.

Speaker Rick Johnson, a former school board member, spearheaded the Learning Without Limits initiative through state government and secured $3.5 million in state funding and about $6 million in federal funding for the program.

"Learning Without Limits is about giving every student from Marquette to Monroe a seat in the front row," said Johnson. "Technology makes that possible -- it makes learning go beyond the traditional walls of the classroom. All students have equal access to information, and parents are empowered to get more involved in their child's education. We are providing the tools to help all students succeed in the 21st century."

"This is an exciting day for Michigan education," said Tom Watkins, Michigan Superintendent of Public Instruction. "A wireless education can change the way our young people learn -- for the better. Studies have shown that access to technology increases a student's ability and desire to learn, and that is something we all can support. I believe in the Learning Without Limits program, and I hope to see schools all across the state involved in the years to come."

Chuck Anderson, Executive Director of the 157,000-member Michigan Education Association, was also enthusiastic about the program. "Learning Without Limits represents another commitment to excellence in public education for Michigan's students and educators. It provides an outstanding opportunity for teachers and students to collaborate on creative ways to enhance the teaching and learning process. And, we hope that the successful results from the demonstration sites will be replicated within many districts throughout the state."

Michigan Virtual University President David Spencer cited LWL as yet another example of the State of Michigan's ongoing commitment to improving education in the state through the use of technology. "This complements the State's $110 million teacher laptop program, which delivered more than 88,000 computers to Michigan teachers last year, and the $6 million LEADing the Future technology leadership program for school principals and superintendents now in process," he said. "MVU was selected to assist in this project because of our leadership position in education technology and experience in coordinating these other statewide learning initiatives."

Michigan Virtual University is a private, nonprofit corporation established in 1998 by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to expand online learning opportunities to Michigan citizens. MVU is the parent organization of the Michigan Virtual High School and operates the Michigan Occupational Information System. In addition, MVU manages the Information Technology Training Initiative, which provides more than 700 free computer- related learning modules to students, teachers and staff.

Learning Without Limits also has a 32-member statewide advisory group representing state government, local and intermediate school districts, business and industry and higher education.

CONTACT: Deborah White of Michigan Virtual University, +1-517-324-5357, dwhite@mivu.org ; or Nikki Grandberry of PR Partners, +1-248-269-4356, ngrandberry@smz.com , for Michigan Virtual University

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