tkt8763-01: Massachusetts Leads High Tech States; Mississippi Trails

["April Clark" <a75rc@hotmail.com>]

In response to the article: "Massachusetts Leads High Tech States; 
Mississippi Trails" I have the following thoughts:

First, being a native Mississippian, it irritates me when others judge the 
state without ever having lived here or much less, not having ever visited 
here.

Second, I will agree that our state offers few (as compared to 
others)high-tech jobs. I believe one reason for this is because Mississippi 
has been stigmatised by the media as a poor state where everyone is 
"illiterate".  Now, what high-tech company would wish to re-locate to such a 
state?

Third, having attended two of the major universities in the Magnolia state 
(MSU & USM), I firmly believe we have excellent universities and excellent 
professors.  Anytime I have had a conflict or a problem, my professors have 
been extremely helpful.  They did alienate me or see themselves as above 
their students (where else can you find professors like these?).

Fourth, our state may be slightly behind in technological advances (that is 
because we Southerns take time to smell the roses; notice how five of the 
bottom ten states are Southern states), but we have made tremendous 
technological advancements in our schools, businesses, and government 
agencies just in the last six years.

Fifth, and finally, I do see where we have a problem with technological 
advancements in our county schools.  Unfortunately, county schools do not 
receive as much funding as city schools and do not normally have as much 
support (don't get me wrong, I know the communities support these schools) 
from industries. However, I know that there are many schools in the state of 
Mississippi where technology plays a major role: Aberdeen School District, 
Tupelo School District, Hattiesburg City Schools; these are just a few of 
the outstanding, technologically advanced schools in the state.

If the industries and high-tech companies wish the youth of today to be 
prepared for high-skilled jobs, then these companies, need to step forward 
with funding for these schools (technology does not come cheap).

Sincerely,
April R. Clark


               ABERDEEN HIGH SCHOOL
   April R. Clark, Technology Discovery Teacher
                  P.O. Drawer 607
     #1 BULLDOG DRIVE • ABERDEEN, MS • 39730
        PHONE: 662-369-8933 or 662-369-3137
                  FAX: 662-369-6004

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