PND (11/16/99) -- BellSouth Foundation Wraps Up Second Phase of Education Technology Program

The BellSouth Foundation has announced plans to contribute $5.5 million to public school systems in nine Southeastern states through its Power to Teach program, the second phase of BellSouth's edu.pwr3 project, a two-year, $10-million educational technology initiative.

"Teachers who engage in high-quality training will effectively integrate online technologies into the curriculum, so investing in teacher learning is investing in student learning," said BellSouth Foundation president Pat Willis, in announcing the initiative.

The edu.pwr3 project was launched in March 1999 with a pledge of $10 million from the Atlanta-based telco. The first phase of the project, called Power to Lead, focused on improving public school superintendents planning and budgeting skills for technology-related projects.

Announcement of the Power to Teach grant awards concludes the second phase of the edu.pwr3 project. Designed to provide high-quality technology training for teachers, the program has awarded grants averaging more than $100,000 to 36 school districts and teacher organizations in the Southeast.

The final phase of the edu.pwr3 project, Power to Learn, will award three to five schools in the region grants, services, and technology consultations designed to help them sustain a demonstrated excellence in technology well into the 21st century.

FCnote: The BellSouth Foundation (GA) had assets of $62,192,125 and made grants totaling $3,015,440 in the fiscal year ending 12/31/97.

"BellSouth Foundation Gives $5.5 Million in Teacher Technology Grants; Teaching Teachers is Next Step of $10-Million Grant Program." BellSouth Foundation Press Release 11/15/99.

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