Goals and Objectives

Finishing Strong

Laptop Initiative

GOAL
The goal of Governor Rounds’ laptop initiative, called South Dakota’s Classroom Connections, is to provide incentive money for school districts to initiate one-to-one laptop programs for high school students.

BACKGROUND

• Currently, children in high-income families are four times more likely to use computers than those in low-income families. (Source: Laptops for Learning: Final Report and Recommendations, March 22, 2004) Laptop immersion projects level the playing field when it comes to access to resources.
• The academic benefits of laptop projects are well-documented. They include the following:
• Students have improved research skills.
• Evidence points to improved student achievement.
• Students report that laptops make their school work easier and help improve the quality of their work.
• Students are more motivated to learn.
• Technology allows teachers to more easily differentiate lessons.
• Teachers find laptops useful in developing integrated lessons.
• Teachers report improved communication with their student
• After two years of a laptop initiative in Henrico County, Va., scores for high school students increased on all 11 of the Virginia Standards of Learning tests. (Source: Laptops for Learning, Final Report and Recommendations, March 22, 2004)
• One study of a laptop immersion project found that the grade point average of laptop users was higher than non-users. (Source: “Learning With Technology: The Impact of Laptop Use on Student Achievement,” Journal of Technology, Learning, and Assessment, Vol. 3, No. 2, January 2005)
• In the same study, a higher percentage of laptop students attained “A” grades and a significantly lower percentage attained “F” grades in their English and math courses.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The goal of Governor Rounds' laptop initiative is to provide incentive money for school districts to initiate one-to-one laptop programs for high school students.

• Twenty districts, serving approximately 5,000 students, were selected in May 2005 as pilot sites to participate in South Dakota’s Classroom Connections.
• Through the program, the state provides matching funds – $1 for every $2 invested – to school districts that purchase laptops for every student in grades 9-12.
• Districts apply for the grant and demonstrate that they can meet certain criteria, including:
  • Financial means to participate in the program
  • Ability to implement training of staff and students
  • Availability of a district technology plan
  • Commitment from the school board and community
• Grants provide for the initial investment of laptop computers and warranties, software and training.
• The state negotiates optimal pricing for computers, warranties, software and training.
• Nonpublic schools in South Dakota have access to the same pricing that public school districts receive under this program. However, they are not eligible for matching funds.
• The Department of Education and its partner, Dakota State University, provide intensive training to teachers to ensure that they have the knowledge and skill to incorporate the technology into their classrooms. Another partner, the state’s Bureau of Information and Telecommunications, offers technical expertise and support to the pilot schools.

FUNDING

Funding for the pilot program is made possible by a $4 million Citibank donation designated for technology-based initiatives.