RELEASE ON RECEIPT

U.VA.'S SCHOOL OF EDUCATION RECEIVES $1 MILLION GIFT
TO IMPROVE TECHNOLOGY TRAINING FOR TEACHERS

        CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Sept. 30 -- The University of Virginia's Curry 
School of Education has received a $1 million gift that will be used to 
strengthen the school's position as a pioneer in technology training and 
teacher education.
        The gift will enable the school to develop curricular materials for 
teacher-education programs that integrate high technology and multi-media 
training into teacher-preparation courses.  As part of that integration, 
the gift will be used to underwrite the first phase of the school's Impact 
Project, a coordinated set of modules being developed to teach schools of 
education how to integrate technology into their teaching-methods courses.  
The first module focuses on math and social studies.  A subsequent one will 
integrate technology and language arts.
        Under the outreach component of the Impact Project, sample lesson 
plans and student exercises will be distributed through CD-ROMS, Web sites, 
print media, and video tapes to teacher-education programs across the 
country.  Intensive workshops for teacher-education faculty on the use of 
the products are also in the works.
        Founded in 1905, the Curry School offers a comprehensive set of 
degree programs designed to equip students for leadership positions in 
education and human development.
        "Gifts of this type not only help support faculty research, but also 
provide support for graduate students who work on the projects, and often 
help purchase valuable equipment for which there are no public funds," 
says Margaret Unsworth, executive director of the Curry Foundation.  
"Outside funding of this magnitude sends an obvious sign that Curry's 
program is strong and successful."
                                       ###

                                                             September 29, 1997


        For additional information please contact the Curry School of 
Education Foundation at (804) 924 0854.  Television reporters should 
contact our TV News Office at (804) 924-7550.