Maine Awards $37M Contract to Apple for Technology Program
Maine's Department of Education has awarded Apple a four-year, $37.2 million contract to supply the technology, training and support for an initiative that will equip all of the state's seventh- and eighth-grade students and teachers with one-to-one access to wireless notebook computers and the Internet. The Maine Learning Technology Initiative, approved by the state's legislature last spring, will provide all seventh- and eighth-grade students and teachers with portable, wireless computers during fall 2002, as well as the following year.
The initial middle school phase is part of a larger plan that would extend one-to-one technology access to all Maine high schools. The program also provides professional development that is designed to instruct teachers in all 241 middle schools on how to use the new technology effectively, as well as extensive, continuing technical support. The program is funded by the Maine Learning Technology Endowment, with additional funds from the Maine School and Library Network. Maine Department of Education, Augusta, ME, (207) 624-6600, www.state.me.us/education.
This article originally appeared in the 02/01/2002 issue of THE Journal.