Common Program Questions

The purpose is to ignite a passion for learning, inspiring all students to become self‐motivated, enthusiastic participants in their education. This 1 to 1 laptop initiative supports the district's tradition as an innovative leader by moving forward with an integrated approach to technology use. Furthermore, it reinforces technology as one of the core focus areas of the district's Strategic Plan for equity and excellence for all students.

Our goal is for all students, regardless of income or family background, to have access to a computer for use at both school and home. We believe that individual ownership will help promote concepts of selfmotivation and enthusiastic participation by providing all with access to a powerful technological tool to enhance learning.

The initiative for students in grades 6-12 is an integral part of assisting students as they prepare for high school and post‐secondary education and careers. Since computer use is required in nearly all postsecondary programs and professions, a natural and constant access in school will better prepare students for this inevitable future.

A netbook is a small laptop computer primarily designed for web computing. It is about the size of a small textbook, and weighs significantly less than a full‐sized laptop computer. The EVSC is using the Dell Latitude 2110 and 2120. The netbook will feature a 10.1" screen, webcam, Open Office software ‐‐ a free application that includes word processing -- spread sheet, design and presentation offerings similar and compatible with Microsoft Office programs. It will also be configured with wireless access to the Internet and have virus protection software.

The netbooks will be used as personal computers for each student in grades 6-12 enrolled in the EVSC. The computers will be used in the classroom for note taking, in projects, to research information in and outside the classroom, and in general be an integral part of everyday activity in most classes and for homework purposes. Other software the EVSC has purchased will allow virtual drop boxes and home directories (H: drive) for students, where assignments and information can be stored in a location other than the netbook hard drive. Students will turn in the netbook during the summer for re‐imaging and restoration.

The EVSC has installed blocking mechanisms on each netbook, which will prevent certain Internet sites that the school corporation has determined should not be accessible from being seen. This block will also work from locations outside the school building.

Students will be instructed how they can download materials during the school day that they will need for homework in the evening. For those times that the Internet may be necessary, the EVSC has worked closely with the Evansville Public Libraries so that students will be able to work at any of our community's libraries, where wireless Internet is provided.

If fully charged each day, the battery should be sufficient for the school day or more. Students will be asked to charge their netbook at home each night. If a student's battery no longer holds a charge, the EVSC will replace it at no cost to the student, unless there is evidence of abuse or physical damage resulting in the loss of charge of the battery. The cost to replace a damaged battery due to accidental damage, negligence, loss or theft will be the responsibility of the student.

The fee for students will be $35 billed once per semester for high schools for a total of $70 for the year; and $70 billed once at the middle school level because coursework is not divided by semester at the middle school level. for high schools and $70 . Funds from grants and other Technology initiatives are being used to help subsidize the rental fee. The fee will be paid as part of each student's textbook rental. This $505 cost for each netbook includes asset tagging, imaging, the protective case and professional development. Windows 7 Professional Operating system is included in the cost, along with Open Office (compatible with Microsoft Office), and other instructional tools selected by teachers.

For those students who qualify for free/reduced lunch prices, the cost of the computer is $0. The state currently reimburses schools for those costs for lunches and textbooks (and now computers) for these families. For those families who do not qualify, the EVSC will work with the families to establish payment plans that will be affordable for their particular situations.

The EVSC will be responsible for providing repair or replacement services, although the cost of the repair and service fee may revert to the student/parent if the reason is accidental damage, negligence, loss, or theft. All students – whether on paid, or free and reduced lunch -- are responsible for the cost of repairs. There will be a location in each school to take damaged netbooks.

The high school netbooks are not insured by EVSC.

The sixth, seventh, and eighth grade student netbooks are covered for accidental damage but are NOT insured for loss or theft.

Insurance coverage is a choice of all students and parents. Insurance options may be available through an individual homeowner policy or other companies.

Insurance is also available for students, faculty and staff, through Student Insurance Partners, a company which works with 1 to 1 programs throughout the country to provide insurance for laptops, netbooks, and other devices. For additional information, contact Blake Barth at 1-800-620-3307 or visit their website at www.studentinsurancepartners.com

If insurance is purchased, students/parents are responsible for completing and submitting an application and submitting a claim to the insurance company if needed.

The netbook specification information needed for insurance claims is posted on the EVSC ICATS website. ( http://www.evscicats.com/elearning/faq-netbook.html)

EVSC does not keep records of insured netbooks as applications are submitted independently by students or their parents. You may contact the insurance company if you have questions regarding coverage.

Yes, the EVSC will have a limited number of spare netbooks for students to use while their netbook is in repair.

The netbook will become an integral part of the educational process, and all students must have one to participate in classroom activities that require it. It will be a tool that students will be expected to use and incorporate into their daily learning experiences. Students cannot use their own laptops in school because of the extensive work that would be required for each computer to block sites that should not be accessed – both in school, and at home; prevent viruses from getting onto the EVSC network; and to configure the computer for use with the EVSC's use of ANGEL, a course management and portal software program. The netbooks the students receive will be ready to use and configured with everything needed. In addition, EVSC personnel have been trained to work on these computers and it would be very costly to have to deal with issues on a variety of different computers and platforms.

The netbooks are the property of EVSC and must be returned at the end of the school year or if a student transfers to another EVSC school or withdraws from the EVSC. If a netbook is scrapped, the parent will be permitted to acquire the netbook from the Office of Technology. The netbook will be marked with a decommissioned label and will not be allowed on the EVSC network or brought into an EVSC school.

The netbooks are a tool for students to help students with their homework. As technology is a core component of how people learn and access information today, and since EVSC students have homework as a basic part of their learning activities, it is recommended that high school students take the netbooks home with them and return to school each day with a fully-charged battery. Officials at the individual schools for the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students will determine if/when the netbooks are to be taken home.

Each student's netbook will have both an EVSC asset tag and and Dell serial number, both of which will be assigned to that student and be part of the Destiny textbook system and the RDS fixed assets system. So, just as textbooks are barcoded and can be tracked from school to school, so too will netbooks be tracked. If one is found, the EVSC will know to whom it belongs.

No. No one besides authorized EVSC personnel will be allowed to install any devices or software on these computers.

This comes from the state subsidy that pays for textbook rental fees for free/reduced lunch students. All students, including those on free/reduced lunch, are responsible for the cost of netbook repairs and optional insurance costs.

Through textbook rental funds, reduced shipping costs in the EVSC Book Fund, and other areas in technology funds – Capital Projects and Common School Fund.

Currently individual and in some cases classroom sets of textbooks are still being used. But, each year as another subject area text is considered for adoption by the EVSC – it will be determined if digital curriculum exists that can replace the use of the text. The EVSC will provide teachers and students with digital resources, both those that can be purchased and also those we will develop ourselves.

The EVSC is providing professional development (PD) ongoing each year for teachers and building administrators so more can be learned about how to incorporate this and other technologies into classroom instruction. Technology PD has been an ongoing part of the EVSC for many years. There are also coaches who will work to develop digital curriculum and to help teachers with ways to integrate the use of the netbook in engaging students in their classes.

This will be a school‐based decision and may vary at each school.

The netbook policy which all students will receive and have available to them online, expects students to either have their computer with them, or locked in their locker. At no time is it to be left unattended.