MAYOR GIULIANI ANNOUNCES $1 MILLION DONATION TO "PROJECT SMART SCHOOLS"
Commends the New York Stock Exchange Foundation's Commitment to Bringing Computer Technology to Public Schools
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, Board of Education President William C. Thompson, Jr., and Board of Education Deputy Chancellor Harry Spence today announced that the New York Stock Exchange Foundation has donated one million dollars to Project Smart Schools, a public-private partnership which will bring computer technology to every public school class- room in New York City by the Year 2000. Richard A. Grasso, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the New York Stock Exchange and James Jacoby, Chairman of the New York Stock Exchange Foundation presented the donation to the New York City Public/Private Initiatives, Inc., a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) entity established to raise money to assist the City in a variety of special projects.
Also present during the announcement were Deputy Mayor and Board of Education member Ninfa Segarra and Board of Education member Dr. Irene Impellizzeri. Chairman Grasso and Stephen Robert, Vice Chair of CIBC Oppenheimer Corp., are co-chairing the private sector effort to supplement the one hundred million dollars the City has thus far allocated to implement the initiative.
"I want to thank Richard Grasso, James Jacoby and the New York Stock Exchange on behalf of the children of the City's public school system for their enormous generosity in helping to bring New York City classrooms into the 21st century," said Mayor Giuliani. "These efforts will help provide students with today's dynamic technology which will enhance the learning process and our children's ability to read, write, research and think creatively. This generous gift will equip more than one hundred classrooms in grades 6-8 with state-of-the-art technology reaching thousands of school children."
Chairman Grasso said, "The New York Stock Exchange is proud to help launch the next phase of Project Smart Schools. By placing computers in every classroom, Project Smart Schools will help our children succeed in an economy increasingly driven by technology and information. I look forward to continuing our efforts to enlist additional support from the City's private sector."
In his State of the City address last January, Mayor Giuliani first announced Project Smart Schools along with other education initiatives including Project Read and the effort to restore arts curriculum to all of our public schools. The first phase of Project Smart Schools will put an average of four computers and a printer in every sixth, seventh and eighth grade classroom.
Since the Mayor's initial announcement, more than 7,500 computers have been installed in over 1,800 classrooms, giving nearly 60,000 students access to state-of-the-art technology. In addition, more than 2,300 teachers have thus far received training in the use of computer technology and how to integrate that technology into the education process. By early 1998, approximately 6,000 more computers will be installed in 1,700 additional classrooms, bringing the total number of 6th - 8th grade students with access to a computer to well over 100,000. Approximately 2,000 more teachers will also receive computer training during this time.
It is anticipated that by the end of 1998/early 1999, all public school students in grades 6-8 will have access to computers in their classrooms. Plans are currently being developed to determine the steps required to integrate technology in the remainder of the public school system.
President Thompson said, "On behalf of the Board of Education, I thank the New York Stock Exchange and Mr. Grasso for this significant investment in our children, and in the future of our City. This most generous gift represents a renewal of faith in our system and in the promise of our youngsters."
Deputy Chancellor Spence said, "The success of Project Smart Schools depends on the private sector's willingness to share its resources and talents with our students. This gift proves that private industry has confidence in us and in our mission to help our students succeed in a world in which technology has taken center stage."
Mayor Giuliani concluded, "Integrating technology into the classroom will expand the range of teaching possibilities, strengthen student academic skills and ultimately lead to improved scholastic achievement. The New York Stock Exchange is one of the pillars of New York City and deserves great applause for helping our children."
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