PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL ON YEAR 2000 CONVERSION
ANNOUNCES SPECIAL RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND FAMILIES

Partnership with "Newspaper in Education " Program Develops Timely Back-To-School Guide Materials

WASHINGTON (August 11, 1999) – The President’s Council on Year 2000 Conversion, today announced the creation of easy-to-use materials specifically designed to help teachers educate students on the Y2K computer problem through Newspapers in Education (NIE). This initiative, known as the Y2K Youth Education Program, is a partnership between the President’s Council, the Newspaper Association of America (NAA) and the National Newspaper Association (NNA), representing the nation’s daily, weekly and community newspapers.

"In addition to getting information into the hands of teachers and our nation’s young people, we hope students will share what they learn about the Y2K issue with their families," said Council Chair John A. Koskinen.

The joint undertaking will create and distribute education materials through NIE programs throughout the country. In mid-September, newspapers will receive a CD-ROM disk containing a Y2K teacher resource guide, student supplement and other Y2K resource materials. Publishers across the nation will use the disk to easily reproduce the materials and distribute them with the newspaper schools within their communities.

The newspaper supplement and teacher resource guide include feature articles, background information, useful Y2K preparedness checklists, resource information and interactive activities. It also tells the truth about myths and rumors and explains how the complexities of the Y2K challenge might affect local schools and communities.

"We are delighted that the joint efforts of the President’s Council and Newspaper in Education programs will be helping educators, young people and their families learn how to be prepared for the century date change, and we strongly encourage newspapers to use these materials in their communities," said John F. Sturm, President and CEO of the NAA, a nonprofit organization representing more than 2,000 newspapers in the United States and Canada.

"There is not much time remaining before the Year 2000 rollover so this is an ideal time for newspapers to participate in this program," stated Lockwood Phillips, President of the NNA, which represents more than 4,000 community newspapers. "With this program, we will provide papers with camera-ready feature articles, classroom materials, including a student supplement for all grade levels, and an innovative guide for teachers."

"The model of providing materials to schools through newspapers allows teachers to incorporate news and current events into the learning process," added Koskinen. "The President’s Council encourages businesses to support this important effort with sponsorship of the program through their local newspapers."

The instructional materials are being prepared by Use The News, under the management of its president, Dr. Betty L. Sullivan. For information on how to participate in the program, call Dr. Sullivan at (415) 861-1637 or visit the web site at www.y2k.gov/youth.

The President’s 's Council on Year 2000 Conversion, established on February 4, 1998, by Executive Order 13073, is responsible for coordinating the Federal Government’s efforts to address the Year 2000 problem. The Council’s more than 30 member agencies are working to promote action on the problem and to offer support to public and private sector organizations within their policy areas. Visit the Council via the Internet at www.y2k.gov. For consumer information on the Year 2000 problem, call the Council’s free information line at 1-888-USA-4-Y2K (1-888-872-4925).