« I Couldn't Be More Excited! | Main | Technology at Mabry »

Now that Cobb County has selected a vendor for School Board approval for The Power to Learn, I want to provide you with more detailed information about this important opportunity for the children and teachers of Cobb County. I invite you to explore the county web site link to Power to Learn.

The superintendent will have a Power to Learn information meeting at Mabry on Wednesday, February 23, 2005, at 7:00 PM. I am eager for our parents, students, and teachers to attend this important meeting to find out essential details of the plan.

Below are some important facts about the Power to Learn laptop initiative.

• The pricing for the laptops, software and warranty, based on a four-year lease, comes to $271.26 per computer. Including support and training, the cost is approximately $350 per computer, a remarkable value made possible by the large scale of Cobb's purchase. The bid beats Maine and Michigan for comparable services. That’s a savings of over 70% off retail.
• The computers will be pre-loaded with software including the Microsoft Office suite.
• The computers will be pre-loaded with Apple's iLife '05 suite, allowing students and teachers to make the most of digital movies, photos and music in school projects and presentations.
• The computers will be equipped with AirPort Extreme 54Mbps 802.11g WiFi wireless networking.
• The computers will have a Unix-based Mac OS X operating system which provides advanced security features.
• The computers will feature a full four-year warranty.
• As reported in the Dec. 9, 2004 edition of the Wall Street Journal, "Best of all, the current Mac operating system has never been attacked by a successful virus, and almost no spyware can run on it."
• Help will always be available, through a 24/7/365 help desk dedicated to Cobb County.
• The proposal to equip Cobb’s teachers with iBooks is projected to come in more than $1 million under the SPLOST II budget ($10,012,100 actual vs. $11,250,000 budgeted).
• The district will negotiate with local Internet service providers to offer economical and cost-effective access from students’ homes.
• Students will not be required to use a laptop.
• Repairs and service will be made at a local repair depot.
• New batteries will be provided each year for each computer.
• Phase I includes issuing iBooks to all Cobb County teachers this spring. Additionly, four demonstration sites will be picked to test the program. The demonstration sites will be established Fall 2005 and will accommodate teacher training, and research & development. The final element of Phase I is upgrading outdated technology in middle schools with new iBooks.
• Phase II would provide all high school students with laptops beginning early in 2006. Students will receive laptops when their individual schools have met readiness requirements.
• Phase III of the program would issue laptops to all middle school students. Each phase will move forward pending school board approval.
• Students will get a 12" iBook and carrying case.
• Teachers will get a 14" iBook.

Posted by Dr. Tyson