Partnership drives 1-to-1 wireless learning in Michigan.

When Michigan was ready to implement its vision of 1-to-1 learning statewide through the Freedom to Learn (FTL) initiative, it chose Hewlett-Packard as its single technology provider. Now, thanks to a four-year, $68 million contract, middle schools are using wireless networks, HP notebooks and software, and a supporting infrastructure across the state to enhance students' academic performance. So far, the program has supported distribution of computers to nearly 19,000 middle school students. Thankfully, the program has also assembled about 1,300 participants including, teachers, principals and technology coordinators, with each teacher receiving an HP laptop. In order to partake in the FTL program, each school had to qualify for federal funding (i.e., be identified as a high-need school), with nearly a third of the schools that were targeted for the program not meeting their adequate yearly progress (AYP) goals for academic achievement.

HP was able to provide a complete FTL education package customized to meet the goals of the state. Included in the HP solution is curriculum aligned to national and state standards, teacher professional development, and a centralized learning portal, which provides teachers, parents and students with powerful communication and collaboration tools to create a more personalized learning environment. This statewide portal is hosted on HP technology, using Microsoft Office SharePoint Portal Server 2003 and Microsoft Class Server, and is modeled on the Intel-supported Managed Learning System. In addition to Microsoft and Intel, HP works with other industry leaders such as Classroom Connect and ETS to build collaborative, customized and agile technology infrastructures. But one of the most crucial parts of the solution is an HP-staffed technical support Help Desk, which was specifically developed to assist the state's FTL program by offering 24/7 problem resolutions.

While the actual number of participants in the FTL program will depend on school participation and funding levels, the HP package could eventually reach 132,000 sixth-graders. The bottom line is that student attendance is up and failing schools are now making progress toward achieving their AYP goals. Most important, students and teachers are showing a newfound enthusiasm for teaching and learning thanks to the HP partnership.

This supplement looks at the FTL program from various perspectives.