Classroom Connect’s K-12 Programs Earn Approval of Texas Educational Authorities of Texas Educational Authorities

Classroom Connect today at the Texas Computer Education Association 2002 Convention & Exposition (Booth # 614), announced it has gained two new approvals from Texas educational authorities. The Texas State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) has named Classroom Connect’s Connected University® an approved provider of Continuing Professional Education, and Classroom Connect itself is now a Qualified Information System Vendor (QISV) with the Texas General Services Commission. These are the most recent in the total of four approvals that Classroom Connect has received from the state’s authorities.

The SBEC approval allows educators to obtain the required hours for renewing

their Standard Certificates through Connected University’s online courses.

The QISV designation means that school districts and administrators no longer

have to go through a bid process to make large purchases of Classroom Connect’s

programs and services. The QISV catalog system, run by PublicBuy.net (the Texas

State e-Marketplace provider), lists the eligible

programs: Classroom Connect Now, Connected University, Classroom Learning, Classroom

Today™, and The Quest Channel™.

“Classroom Connect’s resources are not only aligned to state standards

but also to the standards of the International Society for Technology in Education,”

said Judith Hamilton, president and CEO of Classroom Connect. “We are deeply

committed to offering the highest-quality professional development programs

and standards-based learning materials, and our strong presence in Texas signifies

that we’re achieving our objective.”

Previously, Texas’ Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund (TIF) approved

Connected University as a professional development resource in the state’s

technology infrastructure and training grant program. In addition, Classroom

Connect holds a Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) certification from

the Texas Education Agency.

About Classroom Connect

Classroom Connect, Inc., a business unit within Harcourt, Inc., is a leading

provider of professional learning and online classroom learning resources that

foster successful use of the Internet in K-12 education. Headquartered in Brisbane,

CA, with offices in El Segundo, CA, Minneapolis, MN, and Abilene, TX, Classroom

Connect has more than 170 employees. Its primary product brands include: Connected

University® (online professional development); Classroom Today™ (online

classroom learning resources); The Quest Channel™ (online adventure learning

expeditions); Connected Conferences™ (live, nationwide events); Connected

Workshops™ (on-site seminars); and Classroom Connect Newsletter™ (monthly

Internet education journal). Its partners include some of the nation’s most

respected organizations, including the American Museum of Natural History, The

Franklin Institute Online, the Library of Congress and NASA. For more information

about Classroom Connect, visit the company’s Web site at www.classroom.com.