Hi all -

I've been following the Maine Laptop Initiative with great interest. The
follwing note was in a newsletter I receive.....  see below.

Bill Romond

Educational Technology Coordinator
Vermont Department of Education
120 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05620-2501
(802) 828-0064 (V)
(802) 828-3140 (F)
http://www.state.vt.us/educ
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MORE ON THE MAINE LAPTOP INITIATIVE
Through its Learning Technology Initiative, the State of Maine provides a
laptop to all 7th and 8th grade students and their teachers, and funds
professional development and training for helping teachers integrate the
laptops into their classroom instruction. The Maine legislature appropriated
$30 million to create the Maine Learning Technology Endowment, which help
fund the initiative. Several Maine banks and the MBNA Foundation have also
donated funds. The state signed a $37.2 million contract with Apple to
supply the technology, training and support. Many lawmakers and citizens
have criticized the plan, saying that the money could be used for renovating
the old schools that are in desperate need of repair. For initial project
evaluations, see: [<http://www.usm.maine.edu/cepare/pdf/ts/mlti.pdf>]. The
report suggest that students are benefiting from the project. The main
website for Maine's initiative is <http://www.state.me.us/mlte/>


Educational Technology Coordinator
Vermont Department of Education
120 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05620-2501
(802) 828-0064 (V)
(802) 828-3140 (F)
http://www.state.vt.us/educ
[log in to unmask]