[svlug] Schwarzenegger: Initiative to develop free digital textbooks

[Edward Cherlin]

On Thu, Jun 18, 2009 at 10:11 PM, Rick Moen<rick at linuxmafia.com> wrote:
> (Found via Don Marti's blog.)  Will be of interest to many including
> Ed Cherlin -- who probably already knows all about this.
>
> http://gov.ca.gov/press-release/12225/

Not all about it, by any means. For example,

o The deadline for contributions for the next school year was June
15th. The call went out on May 28th.
http://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr09/yr09rel81.asp

o Apparently you can only access the program
site,http://www.clrn.org/,  if you have already published digital
textbooks.

o There is no provision in this plan for buying computers for
students. Apparently it will be left to school budgets or private
contributions from teachers to print textbooks for students without
computer access.

When I actually know what is going on, I will be happy to explain it
at a LUG meeting.

> 05/06/2009   GAAS:223:09   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
> Gov. Schwarzenegger Launches First-in-Nation Initiative to Develop Free
> Digital Textbooks for High School Students

Earth Treasury launched its program last December. But of course, that
isn't a government initiative.

> Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today launched an initiative to make
> California the first state in the nation to offer schools free,
> open-source digital textbooks for high school students. The Governor
> directed his Secretary of Education Glen Thomas to ensure these
> resources are available for use in high school math and science classes
> by fall 2009, a critical first step in helping ensure digital textbooks
> are widely available to all California students.
>
> "As California's budget crisis continues we must find such innovative
> ways to save money and improve services," said Governor Schwarzenegger.
> "California was built on innovation and I'm proud of our state's
> continued leadership in developing education technology. This
> first-in-the-nation initiative will reduce education costs, help
> encourage collaboration among school districts and help ensure every
> California student has access to a world-class education."
>
> At the Governor's request, Secretary Thomas will work with State
> Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell and State Board of
> Education President Ted Mitchell to develop a state approved list of
> standards-aligned, open-source digital textbooks for high school math
> and science. This list will be compiled after content developers across
> the country are asked to and have submitted digital material for review.
>
> "Under Governor Schwarzenegger's leadership, California's classrooms
> will have access to a wider range of online teaching materials that best
> serve the unique needs of our students, parents, teachers and schools,"
> Secretary Thomas said.  "I look forward to working with Superintendent
> O'Connell and President Mitchell to make these free digital resources
> available to California high schools for the coming school year."
>
>
>
> RM adds:  The new Free Digital Textbook Initiative is at
> http://www.clrn.org/FDTI/ .
>
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-- 
Silent Thunder (默雷/धर्ममेघशब्दगर्ज/دھرممیگھشبدگر ج) is my name
And Children are my nation.
The Cosmos is my dwelling place, The Truth my destination.
http://earthtreasury.org/worknet (Edward Mokurai Cherlin)