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Schools can apply for $9.5 million
computer program
By Amy Franklin / Associated Press / August 31,
2002
The state is offering $9.5 million in grants for school
districts that have a plan to offer wireless computers to
their students, state lawmakers and education officials said
Friday.
The "Learning Without Limits" pilot project, which will give
wireless computers to thousands of students, is intended to be
the first step toward providing laptops to all K-12 students
in Michigan.
School districts must submit their grant proposals by Oct. 8
to be eligible for one of 10 grants worth up to $2 million.
Those that already have such technology can apply for five
grants worth up to $100,000 each.
The program is a pet project of House Speaker Rick Johnson, R-LeRoy,
who set aside $3.5 million for it this year's school aid
budget. About $6 million in federal money also was used to pay
for the program.
"It makes learning go beyond the traditional walls of the
classroom," he said during a news conference at the
headquarters of the Michigan Virtual University.
Even school districts with aging buildings could easily begin
using wireless computers because they don't require
installation of computer stations or the use of cords and
wires.
"The oldest buildings in the state can accommodate wireless,"
state Superintendent Tom Watkins said. "It provides, in a way,
a level playing field."
The state Department of Education will pick the 15 winners by
Oct. 22 and the programs should be operating by January 2003,
said David Spencer, president of the Michigan Virtual
University. Winners will be spread across the state with at
least one in the Upper Peninsula.
Proposals can include all schools in a district, one grade
level across all the schools in a district or just one school,
organizers said.
"We're looking for creative proposals," Spencer said.
Proposals will have to include the creation of a partnership
with a public university, business or corporation. While such
partnerships may mean additional funding, officials said
school districts don't have to demonstrate they will receive
additional money to receive a grant.
Although the cash-strapped state can't afford to provide
computers to all K-12 students in Michigan now, Watkins and
Johnson said it's important to begin the pilot project.
"We want to say this can work in the poorest neighborhoods, in
the U.P.," Watkins said. "Our goal is to try to provide
balance."
Schools likely will save money on the cost of textbooks and
paper with the new technology, officials said.
Lon Schneider, superintendent of Manton Consolidated Schools
in Wexford County, said the 1,100-student district has already
saved money with the addition of its wireless computers.
The district has at least one computer in each classroom and a
mobile lab with 30 computers. The technology allows students
to take classes that aren't offered within the district, get
lessons to students who've been expelled or suspended and
train teachers, Schneider said.
The district recently gave a laptop to a student who is caring
for her mother, who was recently diagnosed with cancer, he
said.
"This is about being creative," Schneider said.
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