Ms. Carlson-Rice, principal of North Greene Middle School in Roodhouse, Illinois, wants a laptop in the hands of every student in her 4th through 8th grade school by the end of the 2009-2010 school year. North Greene Superintendent, Leslie Stevens, is supporting her.

Their vision, according to the local paper, "is to incorporate computer skills such as creating PowerPoint presentations, Excel spreadsheets and Internet-based researching skills into the regular school day to prepare students for the technology-infused future and to help make lessons more relevant."

As a starting point, the board has approved the purchase of Apple laptop computers for teachers and a wireless network in the school. They will be paid for over two to four years from the district's technology budget and a school safety and educational improvement block grant program.

North Greene Unit School District No. 3 is a pre K-12 district located in an agricultural area. The district has 1,000 students.

Source: My Journal Courier, Teachers get MacBooks, students may follow, by Katie Anderson