Hundreds Gather to Honor Gov. Tim Kaine in his last Speech on Education
The Education Foundation hosted Governor Tim Kaine for his fourth and final speech to the education and business leaders of the region on Monday, October 26, 2009. Kaine spoke of the need to develop more talent through improving education. He also spoke of the strides Virginia as made in education lifting its standing as a desirable place to live compared to other states." Fairfax Students spoke and performed at the luncheon which is an annual event hosted by the Foundation.

Fairfax Education Foundation Announces Major New Initiative--The Global Classroom
Working with leaders in Fairfax County Public Schools the Education Foundation has launched a major new initiative that addresses the most critical issues facing the future of K12. These include: preparing students for 21st Century skills; expanding distance learning opportunities; improving technology skills, improving analytical ability; and, promoting broader and deeper cross cultural understanding. These goals are aligned with the courageous and perceptive leadership of the Fairfax School Board.

Through the Global Classroom initiative, fifth grade students will be able to join with their counterparts in classrooms around the world to study topics of mutual interest. While learning from each other they will also sharpen their skills in technology that will help sustain a commitment to math and science beyond the fifth grade. This project will be funded through funds raised from corporations, foundations, and the federal government (applied for). For more information contact info@fairfaxeducation.org.

21st Century Careers Project to Benefit Fairfax Middle Schoolers
The Fairfax Education Foundation today announced the launch of a model technology innovation program, in partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia, to benefit middle schoolers in Fairfax County. The three-year program titled Technology and 21st Century Careers: Preparing Students for the Future will premier this winter at Glasgow Middle School. Read Press Release [PDF]

K12nects concludes its six-year run
It's hard to imagine it but after six years the innovative K12nects program has concluded. After millions of dollars from companies, the US Congress and FCPS, what did we accomplish? When we started schools did not have technology plans, building did not have technology audits and the foundation was looked at sideways for requiring K12nects schools to have both. Teachers were reticent to engage in the training offered by the foundation and technology applications were in their infancy. Now we can say that by keeping our focus on the question, "How does technology affect learning?" we have helped shape the use and effectiveness of technology development and helped to hold it accountable to improving SOL scores and other measures of success. For a complete repot on this project and its findings, please contact info@fairfaxeducation.org.

Friends: The Virginia General Assembly has enacted legislation to allowing Virginia taxpayers to elect to allocate their refund to Public School Education Foundations! Ours is one of the 50 Foundations in 130 school districts throughout VA selected. All you need to do is to use our code: 059001 and indicate on your return that you would like your refund or any portion of it to go to your Foundation. The Foundation, along with the Parks and Library Foundations, also receives donations from Fairfax County taxpayers.