Problem:  The availability of educational resources is often a 
function of school size.  Smaller, more remote schools may often 
be unable to provide advanced educational programs for the 
relatively small number of interested or qualified students.  

Proposed solution:  The Star Channels program currently operating 
in Kentucky offers a way to provide some of these educational 
programs to students who might otherwise not have the option.  
Using the Kentucky Educational Television satellite link between 
schools, these advanced courses are taught over the television 
system.  Beyond simply providing a braodcast of lessons, though, 
the system allows feedback through a wireless keypad used by the 
student.  The immediate feedback allows the teacher to evaluate 
and adjust the lesson as it progresses.  In addition, teachers 
serving as "facilitators" are present with the students to provide 
assistance, and students can call tutors in the evenings for more 
help.  The state funds the program.

Evaluation:  The program has enabled more remote students a wider 
range of educational options.  It has also been used to provide 
continuing coursework for the teachers themselves.  

Contact:  Virginia G. Fox, Senior Deputy Executive Director, KET 
Foundation, 600 Cooper Drive, Lexington, KY  40502-2296.

Citation:  "Innovations in State and Local Government 1991."  New 
York:  The Ford Foundation, 1991.  pp 12-13.

Keywords:  education telecommunications technology

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