By Charles

February 10, 2005 11:42 AM | Link to this

It’s a risk. Giving kids computers will not substitute for teaching them to read, write and handle math (none of which seems to being done very well right now).

Also, any family who is “too poor” to pay $50 a year for insurance should be banned from the program. Having the county invest 70 million dollars and asking the family for 14 cents a day is not too much of a burden for anyone.

By Jennifer

February 10, 2005 11:58 AM | Link to this

Personally, I think it’s a waste of money. I agree that kids should be technology savvy, but that should not come at the expense of addressing other problems in the school, like reducing class size and providing remedial services and extra help.

Maybe they’ll consider a compromise—in elementary school, I’d much rather my child learn how to write, not type, and to read from a book, not a computer which requires a different type of reading skills, so we could skip computers at that grade level altogether. For the upper grades, maybe they could increase the number of computer labs in the building and build in study hall/research time. Alternatively, if there were more labs available, then teachers could actually sign out the room for a week or two at a time, not just a day here or there.

On another note, I know the contract requires that parents purchase insurance and it includes repairs. However, giving computers to every child sets up a myriad of problems/excuses—now we’ll have “my hard drive crashed, I forgot my computer, my sister spilled milk on it.” Plus, if you’re relying on the kids to bring their computer to class for the lesson, you’re plans will be derailed when they ultimately “forget” to bring them. And, have you seen the condition of kids’ textbooks? They’re not gentle with most things, why should we expect them to be gentle with their computers?

On the parent side, I would rather my child use a family computer that’s centrally located in the house than have the ability to sneak away unsupervised and view whatever they can connect to on a laptop in their room.

By Nicole

February 10, 2005 12:15 PM | Link to this

They really should invest that capital in improving the overall curriculum. I was educated in Michigan, I can tell you that Georgia has a long way to go. Their class sizes are too big; the course-study plans need to be revamped; the kids need direction, they need help. They already have media center resources at their disposal. The previous post was right on the money; what about the “less fortunate” families? How can you suggest that there should be an insurance fee shelled out? …What a solution to the struggling education platform in Georgia.

By Kathy

February 10, 2005 12:23 PM | Link to this

Integrating technology into our schools is not what citizens/taxpayers are up in arms about. It’s the amount of money the CCSD wants to spend and that the numbers just don’t jive.

SPLOST technology monies are projected to yield $76 million over five years. The additional $4.9 million for upgraded wireless capabilities and upgrades of servers and server storage added to the $69.4 still adds up to almost the entire amount set aside for technology. $20 million of SPLOST funds was supposed to refresh and refurbish Cobb County school’s printers and copiers. Where is that money going to come from? It all comes to over $90 million! Where will the CCSD come up with the money for the rest of it? They are already projecting a shortfall for the next few years…

By Connie

February 10, 2005 12:27 PM | Link to this

I hope the parents in Cobb stop and really read the laptop program before spouting out a knee jerk reaction. If you have experience, as I have, you can attest to the incredible advantage this creates. Think about it TEXT BOOKS ON CD-ROM

By Connie

February 10, 2005 12:31 PM | Link to this

CONTINUED….

AGENDAS AND ASSIGNMENTS beamed to the laptops. No more hoping your kid gets it. Homework beamed to the teacher (not left at home or in the locker)…and so forth. This may take a while, but the textbook savings alone can pay for the laptop costs (locker space requirements reduced!). My child had the above when he started a Cobb middle school with a broken leg last year and it was FANTASTIC. Really take the time to think about the possibilities and you can see this is a forwarding thinking plan that will help Cobb stay at the top of education.

By Kathy

February 10, 2005 12:36 PM | Link to this

Cobb County HS students already have text books on CD ROM.

In five years when this school system is in debt up to their eyeballs, (again!!) and are crying poor because they don’t have enough money to support this program, build new schools, and millage rates rates climb and we go to a 2 or 3% SPLOST to pay for it all, it will be too late to do anything about it.

Do your homework; run the numbers, ask the questions. We are stewards of not just our children’s education but future Cobb County students as well.

By patty

February 10, 2005 12:52 PM | Link to this

If you take the $241 per computer that the Cobb County School District is quoting to the media and public…. and multiply it by 63,000 you will get $15,183,000!!! Now multiply that by 4 years leased= $60,732,000 so the REAL COST of each computer is not $241 as is being written. $241 is a per year cost X 4 yrs…so… The real cost is: $964 per computer.So you cannot compare $241 to the $1248 cost for a retail APPLE computer that Cobb is comparing the sale to …………..it should be $964 vs.$1248 which is only a $284 difference in cost vs. retail. If you add in all ancillary costs then Cobb’s actual cost of $350 per computer per child (which is what they say the ‘real’ costs are per computer per child and multiply that for the 4 year contract/lease with Apple…i don’t know about you but I come up with : $1400 per computer!! if i’m running the math correctly……………..( it took the $350 and multiplied it by 4 yrs lease). which is $152 more than retail~

By Jennifer

February 10, 2005 01:32 PM | Link to this

Connie,

I’m certainly for being forward thinking. However, adding computers does NOT solve the underlying problems with Georgia’s schools. Here’s a radical idea: let’s first teach the kids how to do some basic things, like: 1. Learn their basic math facts WITHOUT the use of a calculator. This may not seem important, but math teachers I’ve worked with say that not knowing them makes upper-level math nearly impossible for them to learn. 2. Write a paragraph. When I moved from Maryland and taught at a Cobb County high school, I was shocked to discover that my “average” kids did not know how to write a simple paragraph! 3. Read on grade level. Most of the “average” kids that I worked with were at least 2-3 grade levels BEHIND. 4. Turn in their assignments. If they will not do the work, it doesn’t matter if I can “beam” them to the student or vice versa. The school at which I worked was in an area of Cobb County that’s perceived as good. However, 1/3 of my students failed to turn in their first major project! 1/3! Even after I spent hours that evening, of my own time, calling each and every parent, I only received 2 additional projects the next day. Ridiculous!

Will a laptop solve these problems? No. And if we do have that much money to mess around with, why not start by repairing the leaks in the system?

By Sally Smith

February 10, 2005 01:49 PM | Link to this

I’m wondering how $70 million for 63,000 students equals $350 per student. New math?

By Diane McClain

February 10, 2005 01:55 PM | Link to this

Other cities in the country are already using this system, and there has been a significant difference in higher test scores. GA has to do something to get off the bottom of the list in education.

By Frankie

February 10, 2005 03:41 PM | Link to this

Hey, let’s buy them all cars while we’re at it…

By Tim

February 10, 2005 03:52 PM | Link to this

Sorry. I’d like to think that this program would do all that’s promised, but let’s remember that the students are “hard-wired” to defeat anything they don’t want to do. “Beam” assignments? “Forget” to turn on the IR receiver and you have an excuse, not to mention scratched CDs, etc. That, and the numbers not adding up, should be a red flag.

By Laura

February 10, 2005 03:56 PM | Link to this

How about spending that budget on reforming education all togther. The educators have already slacked off as is, what would make anyone think that distributing laptops to all students and teachers would make anything any better. Computers will enable the students and the teachers to become even more laid back than what they already are. Calculators for example, some students don’t know the basics of math because the system has allowed them to use calculators. Same examples for cell phones, they shouldn’t be allowed in the classroom because students text each other the answers back and forth. If the students don’t know how to use basic math and write a basic paragraph what makes you think that a laptop computer would make their situation any better. Stop trying the shortcuts Georgia, they don’t work. For years the Georgia school system has been ranked bottom or next to the bottom. Try logical questions with logical answers and maybe you can up with a logical system. Try paying the teachers a decent salary and maybe their attitudes will improve and they can actually teach out children. Stop making it so easy for an educator to become an educator because they are sometime influencing our children negatively. Stop allowing sex offenders in the system, a teacher should have background check as well as the other career positions must initiate a background and a credit check. What you put in the system is what you get out of it - amazing. There are so many other issues that can be raised and carried out before you spend 70 million on laptops. This is a trash idea…

By Jim

February 10, 2005 04:15 PM | Link to this

As a Cobb County parent, all I can say is: Thank you, Cobb County School Board, for being so foward thinking! My children will be so much better prepared for college and life in the real world by having these laptop computers than children in other less progressive school districts around the country. If success in today’s world required football skills, I’d vote to give all the Cobb County kids footballs and three hours a day of practice. But success today requires excellent computer skills, and there’s no better way to help our kids develop these skills than to give them access to laptops. (And why do I have this nagging suspicion that those folks who oppose these laptops are the same bunch who want to keep evolution out of Cobb County schools? Just wondering.)

By Josh

February 10, 2005 04:25 PM | Link to this

I believe laptops for students is a great idea. It will help all kids become more organized. If the kids got laptops, there would be no need for textbooks, which would mean no need for lockers. Giving students laptops will reduce fees, because of losing books, and also theft, because the students will not have many supplies such as calculaters (which can cost anywhere from $5-$200)to be stolen. Please Cobb County give us the laptops.

By D. Young

February 10, 2005 04:30 PM | Link to this

Mr. Taxpayer, can I have a new computer, too?

When I first saw the article on the frontpage of the AJC, I thought, “Hey! What a great idea!” Plus, I’m a big fan of Apple computers and products, so that made it even better. I think it would be more wise, though, to invest in computer labs, and technology in the classroom. I hate having such a low expectation of our students, but let’s use some common sense and give ourselves a reality check: just like library books, students will damage these laptops. A big difference between a library book and a laptop, is that when you drop a book, you can pick it back up and read it again. When you drop a laptop, you deserve a swift kick to the heinie! Computers in the classroom are a much longer investment than laptops in the hands of unresponsible children. Of course, it could be possible that giving these children great responsibility will call them to live to a higher standard. That would be ideal.

By Jennifer

February 10, 2005 04:35 PM | Link to this

Jim,

Your hunch is wrong, at least in my case:

I support teaching evolution in school, which I made quite clear in the blog on that topic. I agree with you that success in today’s world does require computer skills. It also, however, requires kids to be able to read, write, and do math. If I, as a parent, could choose the set of skills that I want the schools to focus their resources on, the basic skills would win, hands down. Suggesting that giving out computers—when the basic skills of our students are already so low—will solve anything is just silly. It’s like painting a sinking ship—it might look pretty, but it’s still going to sink if you don’t plug the leak.

By KB

February 10, 2005 04:39 PM | Link to this

The $50 per year for the insurance is not the only expense that the family must pay. They must also have internet access. Dial up would be useless and high speed costs about $50 per month. For the higher income families, who already probably have computers and high speed access, this is no big deal. For an average or below average income family, this is probably a monthly expense they cannot afford. The Cobb County school my child goes to has over 1/2 the students on free and reduced lunch. How in the world are they going to come up with the money to pay for the insurance AND the monthly internet access if they can’t even afford to feed their children?!

I see no educational benefit to providing every child with a computer, much less with an Apple. If the idea is to get them acclimated to using computers, they should be using the type of computer prevalent in the workplace. Except for graphic artists, very few businesses use Apples. Besides the fact that many jobs do not require computer proficiency. Also, if a home does already have a computer, it is unlikely to be an Apple. What type of networking problems does that cause if multiple computers (the students Apple and the parents PC) need access to the internet at the same time.

If students need to use computers, there should be more made available in computer labs similar to what is on most college campuses. Also, every public library in Cobb County has multiple computers with internet access. (I’m frequently in the library and hardly ever see anyone using the computers.) Our tax dollars have already provided the use of free computers and free internet access to all of the citizens of our County. It is a total waste of taxpayer money to purchase them for every student.

By patty

February 10, 2005 04:49 PM | Link to this

This is for Jim. Your ‘nagging’ suspicion that people that are against laptops must be the same people that are against teaching evolution proves that you probably didn’t learn much about comparing apples to oranges in your school. These are 2 totally different subjects that are not even comparable. I’m not against laptops-I’m just for a a more diligent way of distributing them to the appropriate age groups after they’ve been proven to show a difference in academic excellence. In other words…..higher test scores….. Not just throw $80 Million at the wind and hope that Georgia makes it’s way to 48th in the nation in education vs. 49th!!!

By Jim

February 10, 2005 04:58 PM | Link to this

Jennifer —

Thanks for responding to my post. It’s nice to know that someone actually reads these messages.

Anyway, if the choice was between teaching basic skills (i.e., reading, math, and decent writing skills) and handing out laptops, I, like you, would choose the basic skills. But I don’t believe that is the choice at all. The laptops will only be allowed in middle and high schools, not elementary schools. No calculators are allowed in elementary schools (at least to my knowledge). I personally think that Cobb County elementary schools do a great job of teaching basic skills, though they could do a much better job of emphasizing writing and grammar skills at that level.

The only real concern I have about the laptops interfering with basic learning, is that kids will use spell-check and grammar-check programs instead of looking up the spelling and grammar rules themselves. (But this could be rectified if those programs were disabled on the laptops.) In any event, I think that learning to make and use spreadsheets, Power-Point presentations, graphs and charts, and drafting and editing papers on the computer, rather than by hand, will really pay off in both the long run and the short run.

Anyway, we shall see. And sorry for calling you an anti-evolutionary, fundamentalist nutcake. :)

By b. white

February 11, 2005 08:28 AM | Link to this

To investigate further contact Birmingham City Schools. All the teachers, not students, were given laptops. That was several years ago. I invite you to see how their program is doing. It might surprise you. In my opinion - In several years it will be, “What were you thinking!” Many of the laptops will disappear (pawn shops), be broken, or not to be upgraded. Even if a family pays for insurance, a pawn shop will pay more, or a family will have the original and the replacement laptop if they say the first one disappeared. My suggestion - Let them use them only at school. Keep them on a rolling cart and locked up securely at night.

By Steve

February 11, 2005 09:27 AM | Link to this

Cobb County takes a big bite out of the Apple! Apple scores big! Is this a good idea? Just ask Adam (the first man according to those that think evolution might be slightly flawed and Bible have some validity, if even only for it’s literary value!) The real question is why train kids on a computer that does not function in the real world of Windows domination. How many of these kids will go to work and be given anything other than an Apple? Most of them. Only those in the graphic arts and journalism will be ready. By the way, I wonder who got opportunity to profit from this sale other than Apple and the sales and buying people involved. Will a bunch of these machines end up in a warehouse like former technology buys from Fulton County. I should be happy, after all my business (computer consultant) will profit from this because these folks will be calling me to fix their broken, virus filled, non-internet connecting machines. I can’t wait to see these music and video filled computers destroyed by teenagers only wanting to use their computers to the max. Thank you Cobb County!

By MArk

February 11, 2005 10:00 AM | Link to this

I have one question. How will Cobb ensure that the computers are not lost, stolen, pawned, whatever? Forget the kids, there are some bad paernts out there who will do anything for a dollar, including selling his kid’s computer. What a waste of money.

By Jack Bear

February 11, 2005 10:04 AM | Link to this

* Additional Time, Cost and Responsibilities .* Who will apply operating system patches ? Who will apply application patches ? Who will update the anti virus files ? Who will run virus scan ? Who will unlock systems that are password protected when a student forgets their password ? Who will pay for the additional CD’s for work ? Who will refresh the laptop, when the drive is formatted ? What about security protocols for the wireless environment ? Who will fix the systems when one is down ? What will be the turn around time ? How many spare systems will be ready as backup systems ? What about music file restriction ? What about illegal software (no license) ?

Take all this above and times it by 63,000. The price may have just gone up. If Cobb County “IT” department has a handle on the current government computers. Then they are ready for this project.

By Ralph

February 11, 2005 10:09 AM | Link to this

Giving computers to all students has some positive points and Apple is a good choice. But this program is going to create a lot of new work for faculty, administrators and parents. This is because students will be even more inclined to use search engines (Google, Yahoo, Ask Jeeves, etc.) as a homework aid. Search engines are increasingly endorsed by teachers as a legitimate source of academic information. This is irresponsible. Search engines make money by selling advertising. Both the links and the content of the web pages themselves are heavily influenced by advertising and advocacy bias. Increasingly, advertising influence is hidden by the search engines, who are perfectly happy to let students assume that information obtained from the Internet is objective, balanced and, most importantly, peer reviewed for accuracy. The search engines have begun to promote their services directly to middle and high school students, hoping that when an assignment is due, the students will just “Google It.” Students are accustomed to gathering information from libraries, textbooks and teachers, all of whom have to conform to some level of academic standards for balance, objectivity, etc. A Jan 2005 Pew report indicates that the vast majority of search engine users think that information from search engines is also “fair and unbiased” and are unaware of any adv or advocacy influence on Internet information. (http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/146/report_display.asp)

Pew concluded that search engine users, especially younger ones, are naive. They are therefore vulnerable. The school system will have to teach students how to sort out information qualitatively, how to assemble information into knowledge and then how to use knowledge to develop critical thinking skills. This is challenging for younger students or for students who are struggling with more basic skills such a reading, writing and math. This may even be challenging for some of the teachers. But if this is ignored, handing out computers, despite many positives, will contribute to the consumption-based dumbing down of people, in this case our most vulnerable people, our students. Has the school system thought about this?

By steve

February 11, 2005 10:44 AM | Link to this

This is the same school board that wants to spend public funds to place stickers on “science” textbooks warning us that evolution is merely a theory. What is the cost to taxpayers for this course of action (legal fees and all). Forward thinking? Right…. I’m all for computer access for students in high school and middle grades but the foundation of a good education lies in the early grades and has long been accomplished without computers. Teach the basics in smaller classes in the early grades before you proceeed with the laptop boondoggle!

By mike

February 11, 2005 10:49 AM | Link to this

I think that students should be required to show proficiency in reading and math before being allowed to use computers or calculators. When the student displays the ability to solve math problems with paper and pencil then they can be allowed to use calculators and computers. We are raising several generations that can’t make change from a $5.oo bill on a $4.95 purchase without a calculator.

By Dan

February 11, 2005 11:48 AM | Link to this

One question to the school board. Once this system has been in place for a reasonable period of time and evaluated. If determined that it has failed and we are now out 65 million, with a bunch of broken computers, will the HOT SOT who dreamed up this idea get FIRED?

PS. I think somebody is getting their pockets filled.

By Jen

February 11, 2005 12:33 PM | Link to this

I teach in Clayton county. A few years ago a technology SPLOST was passed. The rumors swirling around were that all teachers, administrators AND students were going to be given laptops. Eventually, someone woke up and realized this would not work. It would cost too much and there were too many downfalls. Many of the reasons cited in above entries were put forth by Clayton teachers as a reason NOT to provide laptops to every child. Eventually, the solution was to provide laptops for the teachers and administrators and buy carts equipted with wireless access. Before then, at our school, teachers had access to one lab of 30 computers for a school of over 1700 students. Today, our school has 16 carts of 15 computers each. Teachers sign up for carts in advance and use them in the classrooms. Very rarely is there a conflict to use the computer carts. This is a much better solution than purchasing thousands of computers to put in the hands of students unsupervised. I did notice in the printed version of the paper someone asked about adding unauthorized software to these computers. The answer said there would be restricted access.
Please keep in mind, many of our students are more proficient on computers than we are. Even though I consider myself knowledgable, I sometimes need to ask my students how to fix things. Also, it is much easier to provide tech support to hardware located at school. We often have technological problems with our computers. I doubt this is uncommon. Can you imagine the amount of money it will cost to provide technical support for student computers? Students have a way of crashing the most crashproof systems. Also, will the contract provide for printers to print out work on hardcopy? The ideal of work being beamed back and forth between students and teachers is great, but realistically, there should be back ups to harddrive crashes, disk failures and power failures.

By Tina

February 11, 2005 12:48 PM | Link to this

I think all of georgia schools need to be revamped. I am a teacher in Rockdale County and I have never encountered such lazy children in my life. The only section of the school system that may benefit from computers is upper levels and maybe special education. I attended school in NY and I am amazed by how the students I teach are so far behind. The concept is nice but I think we should focus on the key subject (Reading/Writing/Math) Georgia lags terribly in the three and that could be because the school systems priorities are misdirected. Class sizes should be significantly reduced. Maybe teachers should be issued laptops, but I don’t think it would be beneficial for students.

By Mandy

February 11, 2005 01:20 PM | Link to this

The district “Power to Learn” website states that “Students need to gain core academic knowledge through real-world experience.” I agree with this statement - we do need to teach our students what the “real” world is like. My question is, how is giving an Apple computer to every student providing a real-world experience? Outside of the arts and entertainment communities, I know of very few, if any, businesses using Apple technology to conduct business.

The county should get an “A” for good intentions. Unfortunately, the execution fails because what they are providing is not “real-world”. It appears that, once again, government schools are choosing the cheapest option instead of the right one.

By james

February 11, 2005 01:56 PM | Link to this

Short term fixes for long-term problems. Bringing students up to speed with technology sounds great but the underlying problem with public education in Georgia is still not being addressed.
I taught high school from 1989 to 1999. The reason I left the profession was not due to a lack of technology available to the students. I left teaching because public education refuses to face reality.
This will sound harsh, but the reality of improving education in Georgia is to start looking 12 years down the road. Start with the first grade, TODAY!
While I don’t advocate leaving any child behind, there is not a whole lot that can be done to change the path of current high school students. Generally, once a student enters high school, his or her academic path is set. Study habits and learning aptitude can be altered in a few but the majority of high school students will graduate with a GPA similar to what they had achieved by the end of their freshman year. Again, exceptions to the rule are acknowledged. Focus on the first grade. Implement programs that will change their future, TODAY! Find a way to make the parents partners in the education in their children, TODAY!
That doesn’t mean that the parents have to be able to keep up with what their children are actually learning, or do the work for them. That means that the parents are involved in providing a positive environment for their children.
Rather than whining about what the school systems are not providing, the parents need to start supplementing the education of their children by providing additional learning experiences. Simply taking 5 minutes of each day to ask their children what they are studying is a wonderful starting point.
Once the mindset of parents has been altered, the process of educating their children becomes much easier. Why focus on the parents, because, for ten years, I endured parent/teacher open house opportunities (both morning and evening to provide access to parents working various work schedules) and 5% was the norm for parent attendance. It is no coincidence that this 5% comprised primarily parents of academically successful students. I will now step down from my soapbox.

By Alvin

February 11, 2005 02:20 PM | Link to this

This initiative is a forward-thinking, progressive idea that will change the way our kids learn, for the better. So many students are bored with the traditional, “You open book, I lecture, you regurgitate” system of ‘education’ (sic) that has become the standard in the US.

Someone mentioned computers in libraries not being used - the same goes for the mostly empty labs in our high schools…kids don’t use them because they have zero sense of ownership. This program levels the field and creates opportunities for ALL of Cobb’s kids to have their hands on great technology. Not just the children of the mostly white and rich East Cobbers.

Basics of reading, writing, and math should be intact well before kids reach the grade where they’d be issued a laptop. Providing this tool will just help move things forward.

By Rck

February 11, 2005 03:50 PM | Link to this

Lets invest in ina calculator. 63000 x $350. = $22,050,000. What is the other $47,000,000 for ?

By Nolan

February 11, 2005 03:51 PM | Link to this

Wow. I never thought a public school system could have this kind of vision and leadership. What a great idea. This is going to put Cobb County kids far ahead of their peers, and as a Cobb County parent I couldn’t be happier. My oldest child starts high school next year and when she graduates think of the advantage she’ll have over other kids applying to the same colleges and universities. The best institutions are going to spend a lot of time recruiting Cobb kids.

It does sound expensive, but that’s only because of the scale of the project. Over four years Cobb will pay $1,400 for each of these computers. That’s a lot less than the retail price and it includes full 24/7 support and training? Sounds like a good deal to me. And the naysayers above - who have so many negative thoughts about everything! - need to understand just how significant this proposal really is. If you look at the data that is starting to come in from other large-scale one-to-one initiatives, like the ones in Virginia and Maine, it is very positive. Test scores are up across the board in Va., and Maine’s reading scores have jumped through the roof. This is no coincidence, because the laptops have only just now been in place long enough for their impact to be measured. Check it out for yourself.

And for Patty, above, who seems so convinced that she’s found A CONSPIRACY!, she needs to go to the Power To Learn web site and look at the implementation plan. If she did she’d see that the school district won’t be issuing 63,000 computers in either the first or second years of the program, so her multiplication is way off. My biggest concern is how this will be paid for long-term. What happens after the first four years when the $69 million has been spent and all the kids have laptops? Either they keep paying for it with SPLOST or they pay for it out of the regular school budget. Paying for it out of the regular budget would mean cuts in other programs because they can’t raise taxes- they’re already at the limit. I suspect that once parents see how their kid’s learning improves with a laptop they’ll never want to give them up and will vote for another SPLOST. Unless it is totally mismanaged, I know I would support a program as important as this. Anyway, I’m very happy about it and so is my family.

By Rick

February 11, 2005 03:53 PM | Link to this

So the real cost is almost $1000 per computer,where are the idiots approving these deals? You can BUY a LAPTOP FOR $600.

By Rick

February 11, 2005 04:09 PM | Link to this

Its just another example of stupid politicians spending the taxpayers money with no regard to the fact that they are paying “more” than retail for something they should be getting a huge discount on.And we wonder why the govt pays $50 for a hammer or $200 for a toilet seat.I’m sure Steve Jobs is grinning and saying “only in America”.

By Nolan

February 11, 2005 04:24 PM | Link to this

Rick,

You can’t buy a laptop for $600 that even compares technically with what Cobb is getting, is guaranteed to last four years, and comes with 24/7/365 support with full training of teachers, students and parents. It is easy to spout off statements like they should be able to buy computers for $600 and that they are “idiots” for not. There is no way that a program like this could be done for $600 per computer over four years. According to the AJC, Cobb’s deal is actually a lot better than any other district that has done this. And the lease is definitely the way to go. Why would they want to be stuck owning a device that’s useless after four years, when they can lease it for a lower total cost? I’ve read the newspaper and the web site, but I think it’s pretty clear that’s a lot more research than you have done. Don’t you think you should at least try to inform yourself on this topic before you start calling other people idiots?

By Wheat Williams

February 11, 2005 04:25 PM | Link to this

“LB” wrote:

“What type of networking problems does that cause if multiple computers (the students Apple and the parents PC) need access to the internet at the same time.”

Obviously LB has not used an Apple Macintosh recently. There are no problems. Macintoshes and Windows PCs access the Internet in the same way. Macs and Windows can both join the same network and function together. That’s what we do in my house and at many businesses where I’ve worked.

By Wheat Williams

February 11, 2005 04:29 PM | Link to this

“Steve” wrote:

“I should be happy, after all my business (computer consultant) will profit from this because these folks will be calling me to fix their broken, virus filled, non-internet connecting machines.”

Wrong. There are no viruses that run on Apple Macintosh OS X computers. There is also no spyware. Macs connect to the Internet just great, and because there are no viruses or spyware, the kids will get much more value out of their computing experience. Windows users, as we all know, are plagued with viruses and spyware and it significantly hampers their ability to be productive with their computers.

By Wheat Williams

February 11, 2005 04:35 PM | Link to this

A lot of people here are complaining about costs, and wondering why the total cost of the program exceeds the total cost of the number of computers proposed to be purchased.

The answer is that the other money is going for training and support.

Most office workers have a $1,000 computer on their desk, which they’ll keep for four years or so. What they fail to understand is that their company spends more than $12,000 EACH year to provide them with that one computer and keep it running. Software, network connections, Internet access, email, file servers, upgrades. Then there’s training, and the salaries of people to keep the whole thing running and come to the worker’s desk to fix the problems that arise.

The training and tech support costs in the Cobb Schools program under consideration are actually quite low. I hope they are accurate.

People need to realize that computers cost much more than the purchase price over their lifespan. We call this the Total Cost of Ownership, or TCO. If this seems strange to you, compare the cost of your car with how much money you spend each year on gasoline, maintenance, insurance, and taxes. Then multiply that by the number of years you keep your car. Also figure in the cost of the interest you pay on your car loan. You’ll get the picture.

By Concerned Mom

February 14, 2005 04:10 PM | Link to this

I believe the taxpayers of Cobb County will be footing an excessively high bill for the proposed laptop program. I recently purchased a loaded Dell laptop for under $1,000 — without benefit of a volume discount — and as an owner I have full equity in my purchase. The Apple proposal of $271 x 4 years equates to more than $1,000 per laptop, not including training and local support. Once the lease is up, students have the option to purchase the 4-year-old device at a “reduced cost.” However, after four years a laptop is technologically obsolete, so this is another rip-off for unsuspecting taxpayers.

I’m all for lessening the digital divide, but the true low-income and technologically inept families will “just say no” to the laptop option. The rest of us already have our kids working on computers — and they’re not Apples.

I’m all for finding tools to improve learning in Cobb County, provided they are implemented intelligently. I challenge the board to negotiate a much lower, more reasonable lease price. The county should cover insurance and Internet costs for school-issued equipment — not the parents. What about printers, paper, and ink? Won’t students have to turn in hard copies of their essays and other homework?

This proposal is a money pit. When I voted for SPLOST II, I was not giving a green light for this project. Please encourage the board to vote no to the current proposal. Nice idea — poor execution. It’s not too late to pull the plug.

By Susie Snider

February 15, 2005 09:28 AM | Link to this

For all the Cobb parents with High School students and 8th graders about to make the transition to middle school, I encourage you to delve more deeply into the test scores of both the Maine and Henrico County Programs. The Maine Test scores were flat or falling for the first 3-4 years. The Henrico county school board met in special session in September of ‘04 to discuss ways in which to address the CONTINUING DECLINE in SAT MATH scores. Their laptop program began in 2000 and this meeting was in 2004. Dr. Don Beers has been heard to say that the system’s chief concern should be for elementary school children, since the laptop program is a visionary program that “rethinks” the way education and testing will be done in the future. That parents need to get over worrying about what their children score on the SAT! I wonder how many Cobb county parents of students in 8th grade and above would agree with Dr. Beers and feel comforted knowing that the system that CC modeled the program after has had declining math SAT scores for 4 years in a row! If this program ( Power to Learn) is designed to shift the paradigm and refocus away from “high stakes testing” - I wonder what the folks at the Dept. of Education in Washington would say about that? ( President Bush’s new buddget allocates millions of dollars to expand high stakes testing into high schools through out the country)If General Redden and Dr. Beers truly believe that the Power to Learn program is the BEST approach, then move this great concept to the elementary schools in a true pilot format over 2 years.

Additionally, all Cobb voters need to thoroughly review the recent Henrico county schools laptop parent/student/teacher satisfaction survey. The study, commissioned by the Henrico County School Board showed a general 71% parental support level for laptops, but the the detailed data painted a much different story. Students are not sure that laptops help them to learn better and use their laptopsfor only an average of 1.8 HOURS PER WEEK AT HOME! Students spend over 2 hours per week playing games on their laptops, teachers do not assimilate the computers into class instruction a majority of the time, find it adds too much work load to their day, and the administration admits that the filters designed to prevent students from reaching undesirable sites have not worked like they should.

In short, the detailed data seems to make the case for a wireless rolling cart of laptops that are school bound, faculty controlled and deployed and school monitored. In short, what we already have but needs to be expanded and refreshed!!!

The only problem with that? That Cobb County School System would not be able to claim it’s the “first in the country” to operate a program of this size and scope”. What we as citizens, parents and taxpayers neeed to ask ourselves, our school board, and demand that the board require of Joe Redden and his team is that they cease in their efforts to be FIRST and focus on their efforts to be BEST!

By Felicia Mckinney

February 16, 2005 10:48 AM | Link to this

Cobb County is one of the most technology savy counties in Georgia. Most every household owns at least one computer and or laptop. Does the county really need to provide additional computers to people who may not need them? Besides technology cannot take the place of teacher immediacy skills and student expectation. Less technology and more human interaction just might be the solution to education problems.

By Terry

February 22, 2005 01:48 PM | Link to this

I hope the school board is in touch with their constituents who largely OPPOSE the spending of $93million on laptops.

In a word, it’s “ridiculous”. As a parent of three kids in the Cobb county schools, I have yet to talk to a single parent who actually thinks this is a good idea!

The topic has come up at ball games, PTA meetings, orientation, the office, etc. I cannot find ONE PERSON who actually thinks this program makes sense.

I have three computers in my house including a laptop. My children walk to half a mile to catch a bus loaded down with instruments, books, school projects and now a laptop that they MIGHT use for 30 minutes in school. Of course, that’s assuming it does get dropped or stolen before they get there

Give me a break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!