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Texas Educational Network
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Date: Sat, 20 Sep 1997 07:26:28 -0500 (CDT)
From: Don Bass
Phil: The Texas Education Network is about to have its water cut off at the curb. TENET was one of the nation's first electronic networks providing free email accounts and teaching resources for the students of Texas and their teachers. The decision to terminate TENET by the Texas Education Commissioner, Mike Moses, is cryptic, simply an announcement to "shut her down." There is a fine web site, SaveTenet Homepage, with the URL below: This statement, introduces the Homepage and its effort to keep what is treasured by many Texas School teachers. We would appreciate support from the greater cyperspace community. We would also appreciate any suggestions from subscribers of Red Rock Eater who have political activist's skills and interests. The SaveTenet Homepage attempts to give all who visit there the resources to take action Here is the opening statement:
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A Statement of Concern and Hope
In an letter posted on the Texas Education Agency WWW (http://www.tea.state.tx.us) Commissioner Mike Moses announced that TENET would be in service until December 31, 1997. TENET is the Texas Education Network and is comprised of the TENET Web-server, an incredibly rich array of resources and services to Texas educators--(http://www.tenet.edu). TENET also provides an email account to 60,000 teachers at no charge TENET is a nationally recognized, award-winning project now six years old. Also announced was the termination of TENET-plus, a new full-service with graphical Internet connection. This program was only announced a few months ago. Things have moved fast with The Texas Education Agency, really fast.
Finding out news about something as vital as TENET in this manner is like reading about the news of ones spouse's intent to divorce in the public notices in the newspaper. * *The RIGHT ATTITUDE-- Texas teachers acknowledge the need to change, to increase effectiveness, improve efficiency, and control costs as evidenced by their acceptance of TENET-plus. Yet...
*The CONCERN-- This decision was a unilateral one, one that had no preparation, no consultation with those who are working with the technology in local districts, one that is disruptive, and detrimental to the improvement and progress that Texas education has made. It was just dropped on everyone. With cooperation and collaboration there is possible a better decision. Information about the decision and what is developing is poor and people fear the worst. They have good reason.
The email element of TENET--Teachers are understanding and are willing to work together to make this more widely available, and most cost effective. They are willing to pay more for these accounts. They are not willing to disrupt the progress that has been made until a new acceptable level of email is available, available in such a way that all have access. Email though important, is less important that the TENET WWW, (http://www.tenet.edu)
The TENET WWW-- This server, its services and resources, is most precious to Texas teachers. It is apparently serving in an excellent way all who go to it. There is little known about any problems that anyone has with it. The decision to terminate it and move it to the TEA server does not include assurances that the excellent TENET services will be included. Here are the words of a teacher who identifies TENET's value very well: "Tenet is a wonderful collection of resources for Texas educators
*Our MISSION/HOPE-- Texas teachers with the SaveTenet Project seek a stop on the August 29, 1997 decision, a reconsideration, and seek a more collaborative, more cooperative and more open problem solving process in the use of telecommunications in Texas Education.
*Our REQUEST-- Please do whatever you can do to help this mission a reality. The SaveTenet Homepage tells the story of the teachers and the school children. Look at the view book.
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See the Save TENET Homepage at: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Lakes/9514/savetenet.html
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"(With our new tools)...We are all learning at the speed of light and do so everyday of our lives."--Martha Kate King, Beaumont Educator ```
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