FutureReady Program Empowers U.S. K-12 Schools with Cutting-Edge Technology

Strategic Insights -

A nationwide search conducted by Dell, Microsoft, and Intel as part of the FutureReady program has identified three forward-thinking U.S. K-12 schools that will receive technology and services worth approximately $250,000 each. These schools have demonstrated innovative approaches to education, and the FutureReady program aims to help students reach their full potential through the effective use of technology in the classroom. The winners are chosen based on their essays, which outline their vision for integrating technology into their education system. The companies involved have also contributed products to the prize packages, including software and hardware from CrossTec Corp. and Datamation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Three U.S. K-12 schools - Hall Fletcher Elementary School, Union Pines High School, and Abington Senior High School - have been selected as winners of the FutureReady program.
  • Each school will receive technology and services with an approximate retail value of $250,000 to implement their education technology vision.
  • The schools and their "visionaries" - Rocko Smucker, Robin Calcutt, and Laurence Goldberg - have proposed innovative uses of technology to prepare students for the 21st century.
  • Smucker aims to increase students' digital literacy by having them produce 90% of their assignments digitally.
  • Calcutt plans to equip a Ninth Grade Academy with handheld computers and other devices to reduce drop-out rates and help seniors create e-portfolios.
  • Goldberg envisions students using MP3 devices to create digital portfolios and developing their own multi-user virtual environments.

Statistics:

  • The FutureReady program has selected three winners with a combined value of approximately $750,000 in technology and services.
  • The schools will use the technology to implement their education technology vision and prepare students for the 21st century.
  • The prize packages include contributions from CrossTec Corp. maker of NetOp School software, and Datamation.

Sources:

  • "Wireless News" article, 10Meters, 2006
  • FutureReady program: www.futureready.org
  • Dell, Microsoft, and Intel press release (exact source not specified in the original text)