Using capital outlay funds within the system that were budgeted for technology and technology improvements, the Elkton, South Dakota, schools have purchased “netbooks” for the senior class this year – earlier than originally planned. The district plans to apply to the state’s one-to-one laptop initiative, the Classroom Connections program, for next year’s funding.

The idea is to test the program with seniors this spring and work out glitches. During the 2009-2010 school year, the district hopes to provide every student in the high school – just over 100 teens – with a device. Contingency plans, if there is not enough money, would be to have the freshman wait a year before joining the program.

Administrators emphasize that students will have full-time wireless access to the Internet, but they will never have privacy in their surfing. They trust their students to be responsible, but will police activity as well.

Source: The Brookings Register, Elkton schools to begin pilot laptop program, by Amanda Palluck