Computer For Every Student Plan Proposed

The Medford schools' technology committee presented a report Wednesday night outlining an ambitious technology plan that calls to give every high school student a laptop or tablet computer.

The program would come at an estimated cost of $5 million, according to the committee's report.

The committee, which was formed last year, also called for all schools to have wireless internet accessibility. The report aimed for an implementation in time for the 2012-2013 school year.

A bond would have to be requested to fund the technology overhaul.

Similar programs to have one to one computing in public schools have taken place across the state of Maine, and in school districts in Millis and Windham, N.H. A program in Burlington that's set to launch next school year will give each high schooler an iPad, Medford School's Webmaster Allison Goldsberry said.

"We would be becoming a part of a growing movement of 1-to-1 computing," she said.

Teachers would be able to see what was happening on all the computers while they are in use in the classroom, Rich Trotta, district technology director said.

“They won’t be able to go on facebook or go on the internet and browse, because the teacher will be able to see the image on their screen," he said.

Giving every student a computer would promote engagement in the classroom, and help keeping kids in Medford schools by discouraging dropouts and encouraging parents to keep kids in district rather than sending them to charter schools, Trotta said.

The plan calls for $5 million to purchase the equipment, and committee members said it would have to be replaced every three to five years. But network director Allan Arena said students will be more likely to bring their own equipment in the future, and it will be more important to provide quality web access.

"The network is the key to the future," Arena said. "Someday, we won’t even buy the equipment -- We will just provide access."

Wednesday night's presentation was only preliminary, but the techonology committee may seek the school committee's approval as early as next month. If approved by the school committee, it then be passed to the city council who would consider issuing a bond.

The proposed plans drew positive comments from school committee members.

"All of this is very exciting," said Paulette Van der Kloot. "It's all going where we need to be."

John Falco echoed those seniments.

"One-to-one computing is where we need to be," he said.