Impoverished Florida Schools Get Tech Makeover

High Poverty Florida Schools have Negligible Tech Equipment

Florida schools have long struggled with the wide disparities
between schools in affluent neighborhoods, and those that serve
the state's weaker sections in high poverty pockets of the
state. Low economic status of the students has been proven to be
detrimental to a student's learning ability. Along with other
factors like the student's intellectual capacity and economic
status of the schools he or she attends, its not anything that
Florida schools can do much about. It's not surprising that most
Florida schools in the state's poorest belts rank so low on
standardized tests.

As a result of these poor performances, many Florida schools
that cater to the poor are denied precious funding that would
otherwise help them introduce new programs, renovate structures,
or upgrade existing tech equipment in their schools. Of all
these possible uses for funding, the most important from the
point of view of preparing students for life in the real world
is undoubtedly access to state of the art computers and
technology. With a knowledge driven global economy in which only
those with at least minimal computer skills will make the cut,
schools that aren't able to offer access to the latest equipment
are in danger of failing their students. Many Florida schools
lag dismally in this regard with many students forced to use
aging equipment or share computers with other students.

Big Business Backs Florida Schools

Now there appears to be some good news for impoverished Florida
schools. Microsoft Corporation's anti-trust settlement reached
with several states, including Florida, means the software giant
will shell out funding to each state which will be used by the
state's education department. In Florida's case, this funding
will be in the form of vouchers valued at over $80 million. The
technology vouchers will go towards purchasing new computers and
software, and will directly impact those Florida schools that
would otherwise have no access to the funding for these
upgrades.

Benefits to Florida Schools

The schools expected to benefit are those that have at least
half the student population on reduced price or free lunches.
According to Florida education authorities, at least 1,790
schools with student populations of a total of 1.1 million will
be eligible for these technology vouchers. Half the vouchers
will be utilized for upgrading existing software and purchasing
new ones, while the remainder will be used for hardware. A chunk
of the money will also go towards programs that include
curriculum development, and training of Florida schools
administrators. With this windfall, computer labs at Florida
schools will get a much needed shot in the arm. The main
beneficiaries will be the students in these Florida schools who
will receive much needed access to current technology.

About The Author: Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools
K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and
private K-12 schools. For more information please visit
http://www.schoolsk-12.com/Florida/index.html

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