INFORMATIONAL

  When presentations are made to the 1998 General Assembly
  about educational technology and the impact of several
  recent funding initiatives, it is extremely important that
  accurate information is provided on the availability and use
  of technology in Virginia  schools. Again this year we are
  working with Quality Education Data (QED), a Denver-based
  research organization to gather needed information. Enclosed
  with this memorandum is a copy of the survey form that has
  been sent to the educational technology coordinator and to
  each of the school principals in your division requesting
  information dealing with technology in your school division.
  Your cooperation to encourage your educational technology
  coordinator and school principals to complete and return the
  surveys is critical in this effort. Last year, surveys were
  returned from a majority of school divisions, and this year
  we hope for a 100 percent return rate.

  To reduce costs and the number of surveys sent to school
  divisions, the Department of Education decided to continue
  working with QED, a division of Peterson's (publisher of
  several education related directories and guides), to send a
  single request for technology information. QED has
  structured the information requests in the survey to
  correspond to the kind of data you will need to complete an
  application for your divisions e-rate discount. The data you
  provide will be useful to the Legislature, the Department of
  Education, and the Governor's office, and also will be
  available on a national basis.  We want the highest quality
  data possible, and I am asking for your assistance in that
  effort.  As a contributor you will receive a copy of  the
  data compiled for your school division.

    Please disregard the return date indicated on the surveys.
  Surveys should be returned by February 27, 1998. If you have
  questions about the surveys, please contact Sue Bosier (ext.
  137) at QED, 1-800-525-5811, or via Internet at
  sbosier@qeddata.com. You may also refer questions to Lan W.
  Neugent at (804) 225-2757.

  Your assistance in providing this information  is greatly 
  appreciated.

  LWN/emt

  Attachments: A hard copy of this memo and its attachments
                 will be sent to the superintendent's office