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Georgia is a national leader in the use of educational technology to enhance both teaching and learning, according to a report released Wednesday.

Education Week's annual "Technology Counts" report gave Georgia the highest score when it comes to the use of technology in the classroom and building capacity for the use of technology.  "Georgia realizes that technology is a key component to improving education and preparing our students to be successful," said State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox. "I am proud that Georgia -- even in difficult budget times -- invests in technology that helps our students and teachers be the best they can." 
"Technology cannot replace the interaction between a highly-qualified teacher and a student," Superintendent Cox said," but it can enhance that interaction and make it available to more students."

This year, the report ranks states on two criteria: use of technology and capacity to use technology.  Georgia was able to answer "yes" to every indicator in both of these categories and was one of only two states to get a score of 100 in both areas. (The state report includes a third criteria -- access to technology -- but those results were from last year's report. You can see all of Georgia's grades at http://tinyurl.com/GaTCGrades).

Georgia has many ongoing statewide technology initiatives, including:

   - Georgia Virtual School: The Georgia Virtual School, run by the Georgia Department of Education, offers students all over the state on-line access to rigorous classes, including Advanced Placement, foreign languages and core subjects. The state currently offers 121 on-line courses and this school year alone, nearly 4,000 students have enrolled in Georgia Virtual School classes. 

   - Credit Recovery: The Georgia Virtual School is also being used for a credit recovery program that allows students to catch up if they have fallen behind. Just since January 2008, over 40,000 students across the state have used the virtual school resources for credit recovery.

   - Digital Content: Georgia is increasing access to digital content that can be used to help teachers prepare and supplement classroom learning. Much of this content is available or linked on www.georgiastandards.org.

   - Increased Bandwidth: At its March meeting, the State Board of Education approved a contract that doubled the bandwidth available to local school systems, starting July 1.