According to Koskinen, who joined Acting Deputy Secretary of Education Marshall Smith and other government officials at a press conference to announce the survey results, the data show that progress is being made, but a significant number of schools need to increase the pace of their remediation and contingency planning efforts for the date rollover.
Schools are no different from businesses or government agencies in terms of needing to prepare.
Earlier this month, the Y2K Council, in partnership with the Education Department, hosted two roundtable meetings with government and education officials to review the Y2K readiness of the elementary and secondary school districts and postsecondary institutions. Meeting participants discussed common challenges in key areas such as building systems, security systems, and student and financial records systems as well as options for expanded outreach on Y2K to the nation's schools. As a result of the meeting, Koskinen and Secretary of Education Richard Riley have sent letters to roughly 16,000 school superintendents as well as university presidents and chancellors urging them to make sure that critical systems are ready and contingency plans are in place for the date rollover. Schools often operate important systems and programs that are being used by businesses and other institutions across the country. The technical information for solving problems is out there, the question is making a commitment to getting the job done.