April 18, 2014
By Stephanie West
Albany, NY – Governor Cuomo has appointed the members of the Smart Schools Commission, who will be charged with advising the State on how to invest the Governor’s proposed $2 billion Smart Schools Bond Act in order to enhance teaching and learning through technology.
“It is a simple fact that disparity remains in our education system, with some schools providing tablets in the first grade and others where the most sophisticated piece of electronic equipment is the metal detector that students walk through on the way to the classroom,” Governor Cuomo said. “In the State of the State, we called for a $2 billion Smart Schools Initiative to transform our classrooms from the classrooms of yesterday to the classrooms of tomorrow. This panel will help guide this bold initiative and reimagine our classrooms to provide New York’s students with the skills they need to succeed in the 21st century economy.”
With access to advanced technology and a more interactive curriculum in the classroom, students are more likely to successfully learn at their own pace and gain the skills necessary to succeed in the 21st century economy. If approved by the State’s voters in November, funding from the Smart Schools Bond Act would be used for enhanced education technology in schools.
The members of the Smart Schools Commission include:
Eric Schmidt, Executive Chairman and Former CEO of Google.
Geoffrey Canada, President and CEO for Harlem Children’s Zone.
Constance Evelyn, Superintendent of the Auburn School District in Cayuga County.
