November 5, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KCKPS Will Distribute Laptop Computers to over 5000 Students

On Tuesday, November 6 and Wednesday, November 7, over 5000 laptop computers will be distributed to high school students in the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools. Laptop distribution will be from 4:00 p.m - 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, and from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday. The laptop distribution will take place at the following district high schools: F. L. Schlagle, 2214 N. 59th St., J. C. Harmon, 2400 Steele Rd., Sumner Academy 1610 N. 8th St., Washington , 7340 Leavenworth Rd., and Wyandotte, 2501 Minnesota Ave.

The Kansas City, Kansas Board of Education voted in August to lease a laptop computer for each high school student, and in September changed Board policy to allow students to check out the laptops for use at home. The district is equipping all high school students with laptop computers in order to help all students reach the district's 2010 goal of graduating high school with the skills necessary to be successful in college.

"For the first time in our nation's history, we are asking our teachers to get every student to high levels of achievement," said Susan Engelmann, Executive Director of High Schools. "Laptop computers will help us to teach each student at their instructional level, so that they can find success."

This one-to-one laptop distribution is the first district-wide laptop distribution in the Kansas City metropolitan area. It is also the first one to focus on providing laptops to poor and minority students who might otherwise not have access to computers at home. (More than three of every four students in the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools qualifies for free or reduced lunch; 46% are African American, and 34% are Hispanic.)

The students will be receiving brand new Apple MacBooks, which have been designed with education in mind. Every MacBook comes with the iLife suite, ideal for bringing lesson plans and class projects to life, and allowing students to not just consume, but create digital media.

Editors Note: The media is invited to capture photographs and video, and conduct interviews with students, parents and teachers during the laptop distribution.