[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 113 (Wednesday, August 4, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S10262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNITION OF THE FEDERAL WAY SCHOOL DISTRICT'S INTERNET ACADEMY

 Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, when I began my Innovation in 
Education Award Program earlier this year, I endeavored to find and 
recognize programs, schools, and individuals whose work in improving 
education deserves recognition. The Federal Way School District's 
Internet Academy is just such a program and one which I am proud to 
present with my Innovation in Education Award.
  The Internet Academy is the brain child of recently departed 
Superintendent Tom Vander Ark, who is widely credited with injecting 
new life into the Federal Way District. The Academy has a standards-
based curriculum that provides a comprehensive course of study designed 
to meet state guidelines and instructional objectives. What is 
innovative, however, is the way in which the Academy engages students 
under the continuous guidance of state accredited teachers. The Academy 
offers a full range of courses for school credit, via the Internet, for 
grades K-12. The program was created only 3 years ago as a pilot K-8 
program and has expanded significantly since then. In June of 1998 it 
had 65 enrollees--by June of 1999 it had expanded to over 800.
  As our society's use of technology has increased, it is important 
that our public education system keep abreast of such transformation 
and provide opportunities using technology to encourage student 
learning. By offering an interactive curriculum that is accessible 24 
hours a day, 365 days a year, the district's Academy is ensuring that 
students are given maximum opportunity to access a good education.
  Today's best instructional technologies can enhance the learning 
environment by eliminating the time and space boundaries present with 
the traditional classroom. This alternative learning environment also 
allows for an increasingly active role for families in the education of 
our children. It is a common-sense proposition that increased parental 
involvement promotes a richer educational process. This aspect of 
learning is especially critical for home-schoolers in search of 
instruction for specific topics or seeking to tap into the resources of 
the public education system.
  The parent of one home-schooled child noted: ``Home-school can be 
really challenging sometimes. It is great to have a resource like the 
Internet Academy for my son.''
  Meanwhile, a 10th grade student said: ``I like the Internet Academy 
because I can work at my own pace. The on-line curriculum gives me a 
better understanding than what I can get in a classroom with 30 other 
students. The approach allows me to explore areas that interest me 
while completing the course work.''
  I have heard from many educators that they sometimes struggle to 
maintain the interest and energy of their students. The Federal Way 
School District, through its Internet Academy, has shown that creative 
means to keep students engaged in today's multi-media environment are 
not only possible but, can be highly successful.
  Our economy, powered in large part by a strong hi-tech sector, has 
achieved an impressive record of growth in recent months and it stands 
to reason that creatively injecting hi-tech tools into our education 
system can have equally rewarding results. I applaud the Federal Way 
School District's vision in establishing the Internet Academy, I 
endorse their efforts to ensure that students are given every possible 
opportunity to access and learn from our public education system. I 
hope my colleagues will join in my recognizing the Internet Academy's 
innovative work.

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