A new national public opinion poll released today by Sun Microsystems Inc., revealed that U.S. teachers nationwide overwhelmingly support the Internet in the classroom.

Teachers believe that children should have exposure to the Internet at a young age. However, when asked to grade themselves on their knowledge of the Internet, 53% of teachers grade themselves a "C" or "D," and 19% grade themselves an "F."

The poll, conducted by Belden & Russonello for Sun Microsystems Inc., asked elementary and secondary teachers a number of pointed questions to examine teachers' attitudes toward, and their use of the Internet.

While large majorities of teachers are aware of the Internet and strongly favor the use of the Internet in the classroom, the survey found that only a third (34%) of the nation's elementary and secondary educators are using the Internet to assist them in their teaching -- only 11% of classrooms have Internet access.

"Teachers want access to the Net," said Scott McNealy, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Sun Microsystems Inc.

"They recognize the rich resources the Internet can offer the classroom and see the Internet as an invaluable teaching tool. Yet too many teachers do not have access. Every computer company, school administrator, government official and parent must do their part to increase Internet access in the classroom and raise the quality of our children's education."

Sun Microsystems Inc. created Netday96, the high-tech barn-raising that has wired over 25,000 schools in 1996 for access to the Internet. The company will continue providing necessary hardware, software, support, and training for teachers to help them navigate the Web.

Teachers Opinions on Wiring Classrooms

The nation's teachers strongly support connecting classrooms to the Internet. Over nine in ten teachers (93%) believe that using the Internet in the classroom is an excellent or good idea.

At What Age Should Students Have Access?

The survey indicates that teachers believe that students should have access to the Internet at a young age. Over half of the teachers polled (52%) believe that children should start learning how to use the Internet before the fourth grade. An additional third of teachers (33%) thought students should learn before the seventh grade.

What Teachers want from the Internet

Nearly two-thirds of teachers (65%) say they would use the Internet to access "hard-to-find" information and resources. Teachers also report that they would be likely to use the Internet to:

-- increase students' familiarity with information technology

(57%);

-- obtain information on current events in order to update their textbooks (54%);

-- help develop lesson plans (48%);

-- download worksheets and activities for students (32%).

Four in ten teachers (40%) say they would be likely to use the Internet to talk with other teachers and share curriculum, ideas, and teaching methods.

What Teachers know about the Internet

When asked to grade themselves on their knowledge of the Internet, fewer than three in ten (28%) give themselves an "A" or "B." Most teachers give themselves only an average grade of "C" (72%) or below.

Methodology in Brief

Belden & Russonello of Washington, D.C. conducted the survey among 507 elementary and secondary school teachers across the country. Interviewing was done by telephone, between Sept. 24 and Oct. 1, 1996, using samples of teachers in school and at home across the continental U.S.

The sample mirrors the actual make-up of teachers across the U.S. in terms of their gender, age, region, years of experience, and grade level taught.