At two meetings in July, 2008, the trustees of Goose Creek Consolidated ISD in Baytown, TX, voted to expand on last year's pilot laptop project, which involved 6 th graders and Horace Mann Junior School. This year, all 1,825 students at Horace Mann and Baytown Junior Schools will receive Intel-powered classmate PC “mini laptops” at a cost of $415 per student.

The board discussed successes and lessons learned from last year's pilot, including new procedures that would ensure that all teachers participate in the program. Organizers also think that the new laptops will be easier to use than the previous models. They will run the Windows XP operating system, which is familiar to teachers, and include the standard Microsoft Office suite.

The investment is part of a 2005 bond program authorizing funds for technology upgrades.

Source: Baytown Sun, Board gives nod to laptop purchase plan