    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [March 1, 1999]
    [Page 285]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Internet Accessibility in Classrooms
    March 1, 1999

        Vice President Gore and I have set a goal of connecting every
    classroom in America to the Internet by the year 2000. Today I am
    pleased to announce that new Department of Education data show that more
    than half of all classrooms are connected--nearly twice as many
    connections as last year. And thanks to new E-rate discounts that help
    schools and libraries connect to the Internet, we will reach our goal by
    the year 2000.
        Computers, the Internet, and educational software can make a real
    difference in the way teachers teach and students learn. Because of our
    efforts, children in the most isolated inner city or rural town will
    have access to the same universe of knowledge as a child in the most
    affluent suburb. Parents will be able to communicate more frequently
    with teachers and keep up with the progress of their child in school.
    Our children will be ``technologically literate'' and better prepared
    for the high-tech, high-wage jobs of the future. But we must also make
    sure that teachers are as comfortable with a computer as they are with
    the chalkboard. That is why Congress should support my $800 million
    educational technology initiative, including more than $100 million to
    train teachers in the latest technology.
        By giving our children the skills they need to succeed in the jobs
    of the future, we will build a stronger nation for the 21st century. I
    particularly want to thank Vice President Gore, who has done so much to put the future at the fingertips
    of our children.