"It is a great honor and privilege to be able to serve the state educational community in this capacity," says Bob Marshall. "The committee is transitioning from a focus on just connecting schools to the Internet to one of how to best integrate Internet based technology into the classroom. AWS' WeatherNet program, which is now recognized as a leading application of Internet technology for student achievement, provides a solid experience base to draw from."

The committee is part of the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education (MBRT), a coalition of 80 companies with a commitment to support education reform and improve student achievement in Maryland. MBRT works collaboratively with Maryland Governor Parris Glendening, state officials, educators, and community representatives. In December 1998, the Maryland State Board of Education endorsed the committee's new $400M plan for technology in Maryland schools.

Headquartered in Gaithersburg Maryland, AWS, Inc. is a premier provider of Internet based educational technology. AWS pioneered the WeatherNet program, an innovative partnership between schools, television broadcasters, corporate sponsors and communities, which now boasts more than 3,500 participating schools in 105 TV markets.

In December 1998, AWS launched InstaSports, another new and innovative technology program for broadcasters and schools. State-of-the-art InstaSports technology allows schools and teams to input schedules, scores, statistics and more on-line for use by local TV broadcasters, communities and classrooms.