Roanoke County Schools in Virginia faces the same problem many one-to-one districts are facing today—a budget crunch that makes it difficult for them to continue funding laptop purchases and support. And yet, having reaped the benefits of a one-to-one laptop program for several years, the community is reluctant to turn back the clocks and walk away from its commitment to 21st century education.

The district's 1:1 program began during the 2002-03 school year, when the school board provided laptop computers for all high school teachers and opened a new technology-rich high school (Hidden Valley) with take-home units for all ninth graders. Laptops were also provided at a specialty center program for alternative learners and students involved in homebound instruction for medical reasons. For the 2003-04 school year, the program was expanded to provide laptop computers for all ninth grade students in Roanoke County, and the number of grade levels and students served has grown from there.

At the start of the 2009-2010 school year, facing a serious budget crisis, the school board decided not to issue laptops to incoming ninth graders although older, out-of-warranty laptop computers were available for in-school use. At a meeting in early March the five-member board reconfirmed its commitment to technology and its desire to fund infrastructure upgrades, laptop computers and labs for elementary and middle schools, and laptops for take-home use by high school students. Approximately $3 million in stimulus funds are being applied to these efforts.

District administrators acknowledge that times are hard but would argue with anybody who suggested that the technology was a frivolous or unnecessary use of funds. "It's really an instructional program," Superintendent Lorraine Lange said. "They use it constantly because its part of them. We really feel like it's important for them to have. It helps them be more prepared."

Source: Roanoke Times, Roanoke County schools to get new labs, laptops and Information Given at Roanoke County Community Meeting