[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 51 (Monday, May 1, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3184-S3185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNITION OF DAVID FORRESTER OF THE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES CENTER

 Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, I would like to share with you an 
example of how local educators are using the innovations in the high 
tech field to improve our children's education. David Forrester, 
founder and director of the Learning Opportunities Center in Tumwater, 
Washington, has created a program that gives students with unique needs 
the opportunity to work at their own pace in an environment that 
teaches them new skills and encourages them to excel. I would like to 
take this opportunity to acknowledge Mr. Forrester's outstanding work 
and give him my next Innovation in Education Award.
  David Forrester is the mastermind behind the Learning Opportunities 
Center which has grown over the last six years and now supports 150 
students ages 9 to 21 from high schools in nearly ten separate school 
districts. The Center supports students from extremely rural areas or 
who have struggled in the traditional education system. Through this 
center, students succeed and take courses in English, Math, and Science 
through a computer system specifically created for their needs.
  With the help of grant money, Mr. Forrester has designed software 
which he has named Pathware. Pathware allows him to manage a large 
scope of curriculum and organize it to fit each student's needs. In 
essence, each student has their own personalized program that can help 
them work at their own level and pace in multiple subject areas, 
allowing him to maintain one-on-one relationships with his students.
  Pat Cusack, the Coordinator of the School to Work program at the New 
Market Vocational Skills Center considers David Forrester to have, 
``He's a man with a big heart who puts kids first with tireless energy 
and tremendous vision.''
  Shaun Rohr, a student of Mr. Forrester, has told me that because of 
the Learning Opportunities Center and Mr. Forrester's motivation, he 
has been offered a job in web-page design. Shaun says, ``Mr. Forrester 
is always there to help, and shows you different ways to approach a 
problem. At first I was not ready to learn web-page design, but Mr. 
Forrester kept asking me and showed me how. Without his belief in me 
and his patience with me, I probably would not have learned.''

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  I applaud the dedication and hard work of Mr. Forrester who has found 
new and creative ways to serve the needs of his students and I am proud 
to recognize his contributions and his persistence in carrying out his 
vision. By creating so many new options for children, Mr. Forrester is 
giving back to local schools and setting a wonderful example for those 
around him.

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