DeLand, FL - The Volusia County Schools District is taking the next steps this month to becoming a full Technology 1-to-1 school district. The district will distribute 33,000 laptops to secondary students for full-time use.
About 400 students at six schools piloted the checkout system and tested the new Dell laptops over the past month, and that pilot was a success, said VCS Chief Information Officer Clint Griffin.
The laptops will go to the schools who will then share their rollout plans with families. Students for middle and high schools will use the laptops in school and also take them home daily for homework and projects.
The plan is for every student to have a device starting with the 2021-2022 school year. A full Technology 1-to-1 program for all elementary, middle and high schools is scheduled to take place this summer.
“We have worked toward the goal of becoming Technology 1-to-1 district for several years, and we are excited to have that opportunity now,” said VCS Superintendent Dr. Carmen Balgobin. “Our goal is to enhance and support the learning environment.”
The roll-out serves a dual purpose allowing the district to prepare for the full program launch this summer, while also assisting students who need to learn remotely as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
The technology roll-out continues into the next school year with a dedicated laptop for classroom use by older elementary students. Students in pre-kindergarten through second grade will be assigned Apple iPads for use in school. These devices will stay at school.
A contract to secure 33,000 student devices and 2,500 teacher devices was approved by the Volusia County School Board last fall. The new program is being funded by revenue from the half-cent sales tax approved by voters to support technology upgrades, and also with federal CARES Act funds.
