I m: P ortland O bserver • A pril 24, 1996
d u c a t ■?. o n
P age B5
Who Will Ride The Information Superhighway?
by B etty J. T urock , P resident ,
A merican L ibrary A ssociation
Today, pow erful technology can
connect a student to a lib ra ry in an
other stale - or country. It can help
you fin d a jo b , research a medical
condition or get the latest stock mar
ket reports.
But what it a c h ild ’ s parents or
school ca n 't at lord a computer? What
il you d o n ’ t own a com puter -- or
know how to use it? The inform ation
superhighway threatens to widen the
gap between the “ info rm a tio n rich "
and "in fo rm a tio n poor” even as it
revolutionizes how we live, learn,
w ork and connect w ith one anther.
The solution to public access ex
ists in v irtu a lly every com m unity.
I t ’ s doable and affordable — i t ’ s the
library.
A m e ric a ’ s libraries have always
been the great equalizer, helping peo
ple o f all ages and backgrounds to
lead better lives, regardless o f their
a b ility to pay. Over the years, their
N ationally only about one in five
p u b lic libraries o ffe r p ublic access to
the Internet, the vast netw ork o f com
services have expanded to include
not ju s t books, but magazines, video
puter networks w hich makes up the
inform ation superhighway. Even fe w
tapes, CDs, telephone reference and
er school libraries are connected.
computers. A nd they provide some
thing more, the professional assis
H ow our governm ent confronts
the challenge o f developing our na
tional inform ation netw ork w ill test
one o f our most basic values in a
democracy society - p ublic access
tance o f a librarian. In the age o f
electronic inform ation, this role is
more critic a l than ever.
The theme fo r N ational L ib ra ry
W eek, A p ril 14-29, 1996, celebrates
the changing role o f today’ s libraries
w ith the message "L ib ra rie s Change
Lives. C all. V isit. L o g o n ." More and
more people are getting access to
inform ation they need fo r their jobs,
their health, finances and ju st plain
enjoym ent online at their libraries.
They are the lucky ones.
to inform ation. Just as not everyone
can afford to buy all the books they
need; some can’ t a fford computers
andexpensiveon-linecharge. In fact,
the most recent statistics show that
o n ly one in 10 Am ericans has access
to the vast netw ork o f databases
know n as the inform ation superhigh
way.
es.
P olitical leaders as diverse as Vice
President A lbert Gore, Jr., and Speak -
er o f the House N ew t G ingrich (w ho
called libraries "the most cost-effec
tive investment in learning that we
can m ake") agree that our nation’ s
libraries must be linked to the in fo r
N othing is more important to the
future ot our democracy than ensur
ing public access to inform ation. We
live in an inform ation society. O ur
jobs, our education, the health and
w ell-being o f our fam ilies depend on
it. Today, more and more o f the in
mation superhighway.
We need more than words, how
form ation we need is in computers.
That is why we need all o f our na
are to be able to ride the info rm a tio n
superhighway, it w ill take leadership
trom our elected representatives o f
all p o litica l persuasions. A nd it w ill
ever, i f there is to be equity on the
inform ation superhighway. M any o f
those seeking to influence our na
tio n ’ s telecom m unications policies
tio n ’ s public, school, college univer
sity libraries online.
require those w ho stand most to ben
e fit - members o f the public - sup
I f Americans are to continue to
port, not just their local libraries, but
all libraries in their effo rts to ensure
that all people have the info rm a tio n
they need whether in p rin t or online.
The 21st century is almost here.
Am ericans can’ t w ait fo r equity on
the inform ation superhighway. They
are driven by a p ro fit motive. They
have deep pockets and access to p ow
enjoy the same open access to in fo r
mation that we do today, our com m u
nities, states and federal government
er at the highest levels. Unless steps
are taken to protect the public in te r
est, the inform ation superhighway
w ill most lik e ly be available only to
those who can afford to pay the charg
must invest in libraries as centers fo r
inform ation in all forms - electronic
as w ell as print. The new provision
to r discounted telecomm unications
rates for libraries must be enforced.
Problems For Minority Students
Continued from front
▲
Foundation, is scheduled fo r June I
The w a lk, in cooperation w ith the
c ity ’ s Rose Festival A ssociation, is
scheduled along the S tarlight Pa
rade route.
O rganizers hope that these effo rts
w o u ld yie ld about $15 m illio n to
help salvage some teaching posi
sphere, it is u n lik e ly that the school
d is tric t w ill have enough funds to
fu lfill this mandate. Inspite o f the
fact that unem ploym ent in the inner-
c ity is s till tw ice the c ity average,
a c c o rd in g
to the
W o rkfo rce Center.
N o rth e a s t
The state also has a law mandat
ing textbooks be replaced every
seven years w ith new material. U n
fortunately, Portland schools have
tions. Even i f this happens, the d is
tric t w o u ld s till need an additional
$7 m illio n to help rescue the d yin g
cut the textbook fund from $3 m il
lion to $1.5 m illio n and the rem ain
special education programs that have
helped some students stay in school.
ing money is no longer in the d is tric t
fund. It is now distributed in block
H ow w ill this shortfall affect the
lo w -in co m e and students o f color?
The E ducation R eform A c t For
grants to every school in the city,
w hich may spend it at their discre
tion.
the 21 st C entury, passed by the state
legislature in 1991, mandates school-
In many schools this choice has
pitte d having needed technology
against updating cu rricu lu m m ateri
al. This is already a problem because
the Portland D is tric t has a total en
to -w o rk opportunities fo r every stu
dent. School d istricts have to help
graduating seniors fin d jobs.
W ith the austere funding atmo-
ro llm e n t o f 57,266 students w ith
more than 10,589 below the poverty
line according to last year’ s figures
from the d is tric t’ s Research and E val
uation department.
M in o rity and low -incom e students
are going to fin d it tough to make up
fo r the shortfalls in learning m ateri
als. Jim Sager announced that teach
ers already have spent almost $1.5
m illio n last year on books, supplies,
and other m aterials fo r their class
rooms.
A n o th e r headache th a t these
students w ill have pay w ith is the
su m m e r s ch o o l p ro g ra m , w h ic h
served 5,0 2 8 stu d e n ts in 1990
and o n ly 707 students last year.
T h o se students had to pay th e ir
o w n way th is year.
K in g S ch o o l ran its o w n s u m
m e r sch o o l fo r 90 stu d e n ts last
y e a r th ro u g h fe d e ra l and p riv a te
g ra n ts fu n d ra is in g . O rg a n iz e rs
say it to o k to o m uch tim e to put
Congress must also act to ensure that
any change in co p yrig h t p olicy p ro
tects fa ir use o f electronic in fo rm a
tion by library users.
I f all people - not ju s t those w ho
are rich enough or smart enough -
need it now - at their libraries.
School Aid Proposal
students w ho re ly on th is p ro
g ram w ill m iss out.
C o m m is s io n e r Earl B lu m e n -
uaur’ s announced his school aid
proposal last week to add a p p ro xi
mately $3.8 m illio n in school aid to
the C ity 's tw o-year fiscal budget. In
addition the plan makes an ongoing
A lready over $1 m illio n has been
yanked from the special education
budget in the past three years and the
c 28064
safety and
athletics. Blum enauer addresses
three concerns: program restora
to g e th e r and the p ro g ra m d o e s n ’ t
have a re lia b le fin a n c ia l back
bone. I t ’ s ce rta in that lo w -in c o m e
m a jo rity o f those involved in this
program are poor folks.
S a lly Jo h n so n p r in c ip a l o f
AlamedaElementary School summed
up the frustration. “ We w ill try and
pick up the pieces as best we can.
M ost o f us (principals) do n 't have
the counseling skills. O nly the most
critica l w ill be handled by the coun
selor," she says.
It is still not clear how many teach
ers w o n ’ t be back next year. But the
school d istrict is o p tim istic about
resolving this impasse.
"L o n g term solutions is the right
way to g o ," says Frederick.
tion, equity, and continuity.
The $2 m illio n C om m unity C hal
lenge Fund w ill directly restore in
other governments are strongly en
couraged to make con trib u tio n s to
this C om m unity Challenge Fund.
" It is critical that talented, new teach
ers and their students not give up
hope,” Blum enauer said.
By adding $1.8 m illio n to the
$2(X),(XX) currently proposed by the
Mayor, Blumenauer’s plan balances
C ity funds promised to the Portland
novative programs and protect class
size. Portland Public Schools are
Public School District w ith Portland’s
other school districts. D avid D ou
glas, Parkrose, C e n te n n ia l and
Reynolds represent 22% o f Portland’ s
currently cutting teaching positions,
in clu d in g some o f the best and
brightest educators in the district.
T his C om m unity Challenge Fund
children enrolled in public school.
Blumenauer summed up his pro
posal by stating, “ M y bottom line is to
treat all our children equally and do
com plim ents the e ffo rt underway,
through school foundations, to se
more to avoid unnecessary reduc
tions in their educational opportuni
ties while we struggle The C ity o f
Portland's budget for FY 1996-97
andF Y 1997-98 already includes $2
m illio n per year.”
cure revenue fo r the current budget
shortfalls o f Portland and Parkrosc
school districts. In d ivid ua ls and
businesses in the private sector and
Free Scholarship Awards
Are you a H igh School Senior,
through the organization's A m e ri
Am erican College Fund Scholar
College, Trade School or U n iv e rs i
ty student? Are you or your fa m ily
experiencing financial d iffic u ltie s
in meeting the cost o f your C ollege,
Trade School, U niversity, Pre-pro
can Citizens Scholarship Program,
M iddle Class (E conom ically D isad
vantaged) S ch o la rsh ip Program ,
M in o rity Scholarship Program and
worldw ide through the organization’ s
fessional or Professional Licensing
International Scholarship Program.
S cholarship A w ards are being
ship A w a rd " and "W h a t new oppor
tunities w ill become available as a
result o f receiving a Scholarship
A w a rd .” must be submitted.
Financial need (as determined
by the student’ s Am erican College
education? American College Fund
may be the answer to your d ile m
ma.
Am erican College Fund Schol
arship Programs have set goals and
are seeking yearly to award over
9,(XX) Scholarship Awards. Awards
ranging from $250 to $ 15.0(X) per
ye a r arc a w a rd e d n a tio n w id e
awarded to H igh School Seniors.
C ollege, Trade School and U niversi
ty students based on a grade point
“ L a st M o n t h , I W a l k e d
I n t o U .S. B a n k A n d
S u d d e n l y E v e r y t h in g
C a m e U p R o s e s .”
Fund Registration A p p lica tio n and
Student Scholarship F o rm ) w ill also
be considered.
average o f 2.0 o r above on a 4.0 scale
(or equivalent).
For R egistration A p p lic a tio n s
send a se lf addressed envelope w ith
2 stamps to: Am erican College
A T ypew ritten essay o f 250 to 500
words explaining "W h y the Student
believes he/she should receive an
istration, 9357 S. Burnside Avenue,
Ste. 101, Chicago, IL 60619.
Fund, O ffice o f A p plications Reg
Dropout Retrieval Programs
Bring Students Back
D ro p o u t rates in P o rtla n d h ig h
schools are g o in g d o w n , a lth o u g h
the d is t r ic t ’ s success in b rin g in g
d ro p o u ts back to s ch o o l caused
an increase in the o v e ra ll a n n u a l
d ro p o u t rate re c e n tly re p o rte d by
the O re g o n D e p a rtm e n t o f E d u
c a tio n .
“ W e w e n t out and a g g re s s iv e ly
re c ru ite d d ro p o u ts and we g o t
hundreds o f them back in to o u r
d ro p o u t re trie v a l p ro g ra m s ,” says
C a ro l M a ta ra z z o , d ir e c t o r o f
P o rtla n d P u b lic S c h o o ls ’ A lt e r
n a tive E d u c a tio n P ro g ra m s. “ W e
expected o u r rate to ju m p th is
o f the success o f some 55 district and
com m unity-based dropout retrieval
programs, according to Matarazzo.
D istrict figures show the dropout rate
fo r A frican-A m ericans students at
5.8 percent in 1994/95, compared to
9.7 in 1993/94; fo r H ispanic-A m er-
icans. the rate dropped to 15.2 per
cent from 17.6 percent.
J e ffe rs o n H ig h S c h o o l, w h ic h
has the d is t r ic t ’ s la rg e s t m in o r ity
p o p u la tio n , posted a d ro p o u t rate
o f 7.3 p e rc e n t in 1 9 9 4 /9 5 , c o m
pared to I 3.4 p e rc e n t in 19 9 3 /9 4 .
New & used books on
Business, Music, &
African-American Studies
^ \.n d
u re s.”
P o rtla n d 's o v e ra ll d ro p o u t rate
fo r 1994/95 is 9 .04 p e rce n t, c o m
pared to 7 .25 p e rce n t fo r 1993/
94. D u rin g the 1994/95 s ch o o l
year, h o w e ve r, P o rtla n d e n ro lle d
2,571 stu d e n ts in d ro p o u t re
S o u n d g o o d ? T h e n y o u s h o u ld ta lk to U.S. B a n k. Because w e m ake
it easy to get a sm all business lo a n . Y ou d o n ’t need a H a rv a rd degree,
w in n in g lo tte r y n u m b e rs , o r a to n o f c re d it, e ith e r.
So w h e th e r y o u 're in th e business o t h e lp in g p e o p le p la n t, package,
plaster, o r a n y th in g else, stop by y o u r lo ca l U.S B a n k b ra n c h and a p p ly fo r
POWELL'S
CITY OF BOOKS
a sm all business loan today. T h e n sit back and w a tc h yuur business b lo o m
/■or w o rt' w / o n w ilio ii, o r /<>r f/tr liKiition o) tin
I '..S'. lid iik briinch iicdrcsl you, c,ill I-8OO-I '.S' /I.4 .\'K .S .
S m a l l B u s in e s s L o a n s
F r o m U .S . B a n k
trie v a l program s and n e a rly three-
fo u r th o f th e m re m a in e d in
school. O f some 630 students w h o
are lis te d as d ro p o u ts fro m those
p ro g ra m s, 100 earned G E D ’ s but
are lis te d as d ro p o u ts u n d e r the
s ta te ’ s re p o rtin g system .
Dropout rates fo r m in o rity stu
dents in Portland Public Schools also
continue to decline, in part because
i
w e 're n o t ta lk in g a b o u t flo w e rs . W e re ta lk in g business. >i>nr
business. H o w to keep it r u n n in g and h e lp it g ro w .
year because i t ’ s the f ir s t tim e
the state has in c lu d e d a ll s tu
dents in P o rtla n d 's a lte rn a tiv e
p ro g ra m s in th e ir d ro p o u t f i g
i i i ),
9 AM - 11 PM Monday through Saturday
9 AM - 9 PM Sundays
Used books bought every day till 8:30 PM
On the #20 Bus line • One hour free parking
1005 West Burnside Street
228-4651
| U lls
. 5 . JÌ B A N K ,
SB IS 0 6
( | « m U S B.tiik
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