Archived: Two Months to Go, More than One-Third of Schools Remain Non-Y2K Complianti

A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

FOR RELEASE
October 27, 1999

Contact:
Jim Bradshaw
(202) 401-2310

TWO MONTHS TO GO, MORE THAN ONE-THIRD
OF SCHOOLS REMAIN NON-Y2K COMPLIANT

More than one-third of the nation's elementary and secondary school districts and postsecondary institutions say they are not fully prepared for the Year 2000's effect on computers and other technology devices.

In fact, the percentage of school districts saying they won't be Y2K compliant by Jan. 1 has doubled -- from 2 to 4 percent -- since this summer.

Responding to two national follow-up surveys on American education's Y2K readiness sponsored by the U.S. Education Department, only 64 percent of school districts and 61 percent of postsecondary institutions said all their mission critical systems are Y2K compliant.

The figures indicate significant progress compared to surveys this summer when only 28 percent of the school districts and 30 percent of the postsecondary institutions said all their mission critical systems were renovated and tested.

The new surveys reveal that 96 percent of the school districts and 97 percent of the postsecondary institutions expect their key systems will be completely Y2K ready by Jan. 1.

"Schools continue to make progress in their Y2K efforts, but I'm concerned because many don't expect to be fully Y2K compliant until the final couple of months of 1999, leaving little room for testing or for any slippage in their schedules," said Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley. "Clearly, our schools need to give very serious attention to Y2K business continuity and contingency planning."

If the Year 2000 problem is not corrected, problems could occur in systems using date-sensitive information. Conceivably, heating systems could fail, cafeteria freezers malfunction, paychecks held up and student records corrupted.

A random sample of 1,200 of the nation's local education agencies and 1,600 postsecondary institutions were invited to participate in surveys through letters mailed during the first week of September. Nearly 1,000 school districts and more than 1,350 postsecondary institutions responded to the phone surveys, which closed during the first week of October.

Among the elementary/secondary schools:

65 percent had completed contingency planning, and only 83 percent declared they would have them in place by Jan. 1.
73 percent said all central administrative systems (e.g., accounting, finance, payroll, etc.) were Y2K compliant, and 96 percent declared administrative systems would be compliant by Jan. 1.

72 percent said all student services (e.g., student records, bus schedules, food services, etc.) were Y2K compliant, and 96 percent declared student services would be compliant by the start of the year.

Only 56 percent said all infrastructure components (e.g., heating, security, telecommunications, etc.) were Y2K compliant, and only 86 percent declared infrastructure components would be compliant by Jan. 1.

Meanwhile, in the postsecondary institution survey:

73 percent had completed contingency planning, and just 88 percent declared they would have them in place by the first of the year.

67 percent said all central administrative systems (e.g., accounting, finance, payroll, etc.) were Y2K compliant, and 95 percent declared administrative systems would be compliant by Jan. 1.

70 percent said all student services (e.g., student records, financial aid, food services, etc.) were Y2K ready, and 96 percent declared student services would be compliant by Jan. 1.

Only 62 percent said all infrastructure components (e.g., heating, security, telecommunications, etc.) were Y2K compliant, and only 85 percent declared infrastructure components would be compliant by Jan. 1.

The Education Department has made addressing the Y2K problem a top management priority. By March, all of the department's systems had been renovated and validated as Y2K compliant and initial business continuity and contingency plans were completed.

In addition, the department undertook a national effort to promote Y2K awareness and action in the education community, including several surveys of the education community's Y2K readiness.

The department has held 10 regional Y2K Workshops with key elementary/secondary school personnel and 18 regional workshops with the postsecondary education community.

Last December, the department presented a widely viewed national Y2K TV town meeting. Hundreds of the videotapes from the event have been provided to schools and school districts.

In addition, in conjunction with the Council of Great City Schools and several higher education associations, the department produced and distributed the well-regarded "Year 2000 Guide for Elementary and Secondary Schools and School Districts," and the "Year 2000 Readiness Kit" for postsecondary institutions. Over 20,000 copies of each of these documents have been distributed to schools, school districts, institutions, states, and associations. These guides are available on the Education Department's web site under "How To?" at http://www.ed.gov/y2k/.

On Oct. 1, the President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion, in partnership with the department, hosted two White House Roundtables focused on the readiness of the nation's elementary/secondary schools and postsecondary institutions for the Y2K date change. Meeting participants included representatives from public schools and school systems, postsecondary institutions, national education associations, student loan agencies, community activists, and government officials. The key finding of each of these roundtables was that a significant number of schools and postsecondary institutions are not Y2K compliant and need assistance.

With barely two months remaining to address potential Y2K disruptions that could negatively affect student safety and critical school operations, John Koskinen, chair of the President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion, urged schools and colleges to identify and fix those systems and functions most are risk.

The department will continue to highlight the Y2K issue throughout the education community, as well as to offer Y2K information and technical assistance. We remain committed to working with the education community to ensure a successful transition to the New Year.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: The Y2K elementary/secondary and postsecondary survey reports are available at the following Education Department web site, under 'Reports': http://www.ed.gov/y2k/ .

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