March 23, 2001 - Personal Web Page: El Salvador RPCV Congressman Mike Honda Introduces "NET Corps" to Improve Education Through Technology

Peace Corps Online: Directory: El Salvador: Peace Corps El Salvador : The Peace Corps in El Salvador: March 23, 2001 - Personal Web Page: El Salvador RPCV Congressman Mike Honda Introduces "NET Corps" to Improve Education Through Technology

By Admin1 (admin) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 11:16 am: Edit Post

El Salvador RPCV Congressman Mike Honda Introduces "NET Corps" to Improve Education Through Technology



El Salvador RPCV Congressman Mike Honda Introduces "NET Corps" to Improve Education Through Technology

Honda, Horn Introduce "NET Corps" to Improve Education Through Technology

Innovative Approach to Support Schools Via High Tech Gains Republican Co-Sponsor

Washington, DC- Today U.S. Congressman Mike Honda's (D-San Jose) "National Education Technology Corps Act of 2001" (NET Corps) (H.R. 1149) gained momentum by winning the endorsement of another former educator from California, Republican Congressman Steve Horn (R-CA). Honda, a former high school teacher and Peace Corps volunteer, joined with San Jose area educators and Silicon Valley executives to officially launch his effort to pass NET Corps two weeks ago at event at an elementary school in Campbell, California. Both legislators introduced NET Corps in the House of Representatives yesterday.

"As a former professor and president of California State University Long Beach, I understand the need to ensure our students receive access to quality high-tech education," said Rep. Steve Horn (R-CA). "With the help of volunteers from within the high-tech industry, NET Corps will provide our nation's students with the technology-based education they need to compete in the global workforce. This is especially important here in California, where our top industries produce cutting-edge technologies. I am proud to support this legislation and I look forward to working with my colleagues to make NET Corps a reality."

"Congressman Horn is a colleague who shares my passion for education- his support will critical in passing NET Corps- a bill that will work to improve the quality of classroom education through the power of technology and the spirit of volunteerism." said Honda. "In my visits to local schools, many teachers agree that they need a helping hand in making the most out of the technology in their classroom- NET Corps will help to make that a reality."

In the spirit of the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps, NET Corps will recruit part-time and full-time volunteers from high-tech companies to provide support and training to school network administrators and teachers in return for tax credits from the federal government. Local school districts will design plans based on their own needs and priorities. Once the plans are approved, NET Corps volunteers will then send volunteers to the schools to assist in implementing the plan, providing technical support to teachers and to school networks.

NET Corps volunteers will also be recruited from undergraduate and graduate programs at our nation's universities and from the AmeriCorps program. All volunteers must possess a minimum level expertise that will be determined by the Corporation for National Service.

To encourage participation in the program, the federal government will offer a 20% tax credit to private corporations that lend their employees to the NET Corps program. Corporations who take advantage of this tax credit can claim no more than $25,000 per employee.

Members of the Santa Clara County School Board, leading high-tech companies such as 3Com, Novell, Lucent, SGI and groups such as Joint Venture, Business Software Alliance and TechNet have all come out in support of NET Corps.

The inspiration for this bill stems from various facets of Honda's personal life. Prior to his election to Congress last year, Mr. Honda served in the Peace Corps in El Salvador from 1965-1967 and as a high school science teacher and principal in the San Jose area. It is fitting that the NET Corps program is the first piece of legislation offered by Mr. Honda in the United States Congress as it combines his passion for education, his dedication to the spirit of volunteerism and the resources of his Silicon Valley District to improve the lives of young people.



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Story Source: Personal Web Page

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - El Salvador; Congress; Internet

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