As a small school that has middle school grades, I see the benefits of the MLTI program. I do not understand why in these economic times the state education department ended the current deployment a year early (the first deployment was four years, the recent one only three). Are they trying to get the jump on the state legislature who has never actually voted on the MLTI program on its own? Why was the current deployment ended early? Who made money on this. Brewer is right, netbooks are much cheaper, will still allow for integration of technology in the classroom, but not have all the strings attached. Did you know that the MLTI "lead" teachers and some others can get a $1,000 reward (stipend) if they fall in lock-step?

There are three main questions needing answers: 1st, Why end the current deployment a year early (extra cost to but out early)? 2nd, Why has the legislature not been allowed to take a direct vote on this (not buried deep in the budget)? 3rd, Why were the specifications written to slant only towards Apple?

BTW, do students need all of the included software? Check the specifications for yourself at http://www.maine.gov/mlti/deployment/2009MLTIParticipationPacketv2.pdf

verum quod veneratio

Much of the software is free through donations to MLTI, or is bundled with the Macbook, or is freeware such as Google Maps. There is some very engaging software that the serious student will find most useful. But as the old saying goes - you can lead a fish to water but you can't make 'em swim in it.

I am glad that Brewer will not be taking part in this, they can say what they want about it enriching their education and that they have seen improvements. I havent all I have seen is the kids sit on the stupid computer when they come home and play on Myspace and ignore their homework oh not to mention the amount of kids that have had it taken away IN school because they were listening to music on it while the teacher was lecturing or just simply playing on it and not doing school work. Their are computers in school, if they feel kids need more time on computers to get school work done then create a computer class they can spend time in.

Yes, I agree with keeping the kids of off those darn computers. Then more of them won't be coming in here to make stupid comments. Those netbooks have all the bells and whistles that apples have, and one or two software programs too. dumb computers.

Why are these laptop offered to the teachers of the schools at a drastic discount and are replaced with new ones.

If they laptops still work then why replace. With the way the economy is in Maine can we afford to fund this program.

Our roads and bridges are falling apart that school buses have to transport the students on, but we are wasting $68 million.

That is money that could be spent in better places. Can you imagine the computer class Brewer could start with the shared amount

of $180,000 and the kids would be better of.

I think in these hard economic times it is stupid to spend all this money on laptops for all students. It is not necessary, is a lot of money that we can't afford and should be stopped. Some students do not and will not take care of them,I think this generation needs to be made aware of the cost of things, and not expect to have everything handed to them. I think it is wrong that we take away from the old and sick and mentallly ill, but we give laptops to all these students in the State of Maine? Does not make any sense to me, and is a great waste of money that could ber put to much better use. What is the matter with some computer labs, students should learn to share. Cancel this awful plan and give the elderly back their funds etc.

Gotta wonder how many employees at the Dept of Education got 'courtesy' iPhones and big screen TV's from Apple when the purchase order was cut.

What Brewer is doing is a good ideal esp with the money problems.

Seriously....Do teachers STILL lecture in the public schools.??..That form of teaching has been proven to be the least effective way of teaching school. Easy for the teacher; irrelevant to the students. How about getting back to teaching kids how to read, write, listen and speak.

I applaud the Maine Dept. Of Education and the MLTI and the legislators that enacted these valuable teaching aids...!!!! $68 Million over four years is a very small price to pay for the great benefits these computers will provide... Remember, THE PRICE OF STUPIDITY IS PRICELESS...!!! The schools that opt out will become dinosaurs, just like the local libraries the computers replace 1000 fold... You may say you as an adult "use the local library, like I did, and that should be enough"... You are getting OLD... Information is knowledge power. The schools that OPT IN will generate INTEREST for students to find information in our complex world... these students will be ready for today's jobs which REQUIRE computer knowledge, they will lead, and the rest will follow... Yes, some students will play some video games on the computers, but they will be REQUIRED by savvy teachers to gather a wealth of information for their in-class and homework projects.......... Also, the choice of the MacBook was excellent... It is easy to use, durable, and considered virus free. (Microsoft, You are a dinosaur as well) ... And No, I do not represent Apple Company... Service and support is outstanding... All Apple Stores feature totally free workshops for all the Apple products and software. Unfortunately, the only Apple Store is in the South Portland Mall, but due to this program, more will open... My suggestion to all local school administrators considering this wonderful program: DO NOT submit to negativity or the modest cost to the school district, OPT IN.....

While I don't agree with everything scooterj62 wrote, I'm a PC person and was peripherally involved with the early days of the MLTI project (back when it was called the Maine LapTop Initiative) and asked the same question about why was the program written to favor Apple. Several things appeared to be happening at the time. First, there was a definite dislike by some of the key players to anything PC/Windows based. I'm sure these folks remembered the days of the blue screen of death, etc. Second, Apple has always been the best at courting the educational computer market. And if you send out request for proposals and don't get anything back from the major PC manufacturers then it isn't that they don't want the job, but they haven't (hadn't) developed the strategies for working with schools and states along these lines, much to their own demise, but we can't blame the State when vendors don't reply. And thirdly (and probably not least) is that with the Apple platform the State was assured of a single platform in which to train for. Remember that not only did teachers have to be trained, but so did the technology support personal. The ones who fixed minor problems, network issues, and the like. One platform meant one set of problems.

I still think a multi-platform possibility for the State would best reflect the nature of the world. I believe that in this year and decade we should be seeing more school systems grow into their own as they adopt a technology that suits their own needs, not those handed down by the State. That said, Maine HAS done what no other state has managed, and few places in the world have contemplated. Only a few places in Australia beat us to the task of upgrading our schools to match the reality of the 21st century.

I remember a Computer Lab, the only thing it was used for, was learning how to use a computer and typing skills, yes, the days of a computer lab with 5 computers and 300 students......now look everyone has their own!

We thank Angus for starting this right?

The intel Mac' are about as multi platform as you can get. You can run anything on them. Not just OSX. In fact(personal opinion) is that it runs windows better than a Pc. As for netbooks.... well that is a valid point.... but then you need all the stuff to protect and maintain the system.... closed or not. Just my opinion and we all know about opinions........ everyone has one...

I see Apple is still taking advantage of Maine. We'll just sit by here and let our children operate computers that only 5% of the rest of the country uses while other places let their students use PC based laptops. As an IT person of many years of experience and one who has 'had' to deal with Apple products, I can tell you they are junk. If something breaks you usually just throw the whole thing out and get a new one. Apple is the Yugo of computers. Meanwhile most of the in school sit down computer laps are using PCs. Nothing like confusing our children, miseducating them and setting them up for failure when they get into the real world.

http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2008/10/september-shows-upward-trend-for-mac-os-x-iphone-usage.ars

Yes by all means Brewer should save this money for something much more important. How about a $40,000,000 middle school with a performing arts center? Then the students can sit in a beautiful new classroom and use 18th century tools such as chalk while preparing for a 21st century career that demands computer skills just to run a cash register! Very smart Brewer.

I think Brewer is doing the right thing for it's future. Kids that have fancy Macs vs 'netbooks' might become to advanced for their home town. Smarter kids move away. Keep 'em dumb and you'll keep 'em home.

This is a great thing Brewer did. Laptops arent going to make any kid learn more. They still have computers at the school. This would save the state alot if they would just pull the program. Spend the money for computers that stay at the school. They dont need the computers at home.

Brewer wants out, so be it. The world will always need ditch diggers.

Okay. Brewer sees a way to save money. That is great!. But, those little netbooks will have their own bag of headaches and hurdles to overcome. I hope you are ready and, I hope the kids do not suffer. It will be four years before you can get back on board with MLTI. Maybe it will be there, maybe it won't. But that is four years and alot of students that will not have the same opportunities as their counterparts at other schools. At one-fourth the cost, the netbooks sound like a bargain, but when they break, you have to repair or replace them. The MLTI laptops are fixed at no cost (unless intentionally dmaged) for the duration of the four years.

Saving money is one thing, but it should never cost the children. I am sure that if Brewer wanted to save money, they could utilize solar panels and geothermal systems to drastically reduce their utililities. Any School Board comprised of staunch supporters of a Performing Arts Center should embrace alternative energy.

I am glad my kids do not go to Brewer.

I graduated college and high school without my own computer. We had to use a computer lab and before that a typewriter. We read these things called books and played in this place called outside. Amazing that I survived. I think Brewer will get by just fine without the laptops. Can't the parents buy their own kids a laptop if they are needed so badly? Same with pens and paper (do they still use paper?)

How short sighted! About the only impact this decision is going to have is to insure that Brewer remains a blue collar town by offering it's students an old style eduction.

Give me a break!

Is there a computer shortage?

If schools dont opt in, will the children be doomed to never learn how to use a computer?

Chances are, there's already a computer in the home, and computer labs in the school.

And if the child really wants a laptop, then it should be the families responsibility to provide for it.

This program is filling a need that is not there.

Speaking of filling....

What about Maine's obesity epidimic that I read about in another BDN article, that "28.2 percent of Maine youths from 10 to 17 years old are overweight or obese, with less than one third of youths participating in daily vigorous physical activity."

Should we be encouraging our kids to spend more time around laptops? Wont this contribute to sedintary lifestyles and obesity?

The money being spent on these laptops could be well spent elsewhere.

Good job to the schools that declined this sham!

i don't care for Apple computers. I think they should use Windows. Sp need pupils could use them. As a legally blind person that went to Maine schools in the 60s/70s. I would have welcomed large print books that was denied me. As a blind person at school I could not schare a text book. IThe sad the teacher thot I was selfish when iit was I could not see the book if shared. Sharing books only work if both pupils are fully sighted. I could not see the blackboard. I don't care for Apple. . I am 54 and hunt and pevk. For yer info. The world has changed. The computer is everywhere. So are the text books on the computer now. Just cos we had the old tools of learning. They did not help me learn. They made no sense to me. Yet the pupils are issued with the tools they need for learning. They are to take care of them. .We whine over the money this program costs. We should say something of the the monies that are sent out of nation.That is the monies that should stay here.

There should be recess in the school. Phy ed for the abled bodied. It is the children that need to be taught. This is 2009 not the 60s.

To combat over wt kids strats when deit. Yet the hearlthy foods needed for the proper deit are sky high. The junk is priced so that is all the poor can afford. Some do over eat,

iI using an old notebook pc running Vista. .

i am sure they use a word processor to write their papers on the computer. They should know penmanship we learnt. . IThey need to learn. We live in a computerised world. Us blind know that.