The Michigan House is considering a bill that would provide every sixth-grade student a laptop computer. The estimated 132,000 computers would cost taxpayers about $39.3 million with $17.3 million from the federal government.
The ambitious project would provide students a ‘leg up? on technology and help educators by giving sixth grade students a computer to work on at home. After six years, and about $200 million, when students graduate from high school they would return the computer to the school.
So what sixth grade students are these lawmakers using as a basis for this project?
If these sixth grade students are anything like my 12-year-old daughter Hannah (who will be starting seventh grade this fall) the last place I would put a laptop computer is her backpack. Since I’ve been taking her to school, that pack has been tossed, kicked, dropped, and dragged. No place for a expensive piece of equipment.
Furthermore, such equipment would make Hannah or any classmate a perfect target for crime. Rumors of students getting ‘rolled? for tennis shoes or lunch money is all too common. Now, give them a laptop? Let’s just put a big sign on their back noting, ‘Laptop in backpack, please mug me.?
Teachers, too, will be hampered by such a project. Consider the training and retraining each one will receive when the technology changes. If each teacher must learn the new software or conduct lesson plans around the laptops then extra training will be required, say school officials.
Finally, school districts currently have computer labs open to students, with qualified staff to teach the high technology in today’s world. Let them do their job and spend the millions of taxpayer dollars on teaching students to read or simple math or skills to provide a foundation to learn. Granted computers are necessary for everyday work, but so are a lot of other skills that are just as important and won’t break when some kid kicks them down the hall.
Just speculation, but it appears that some computer or software company may have encouraged this bill’they would benefit more than the students.
Hats off to Atlas Township and Goodrich voters who Ok’d a millage to renew police protection through the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department. Following the election I spoke with Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell regarding the overwhelming support for the service. ‘If we don’t do our job, then the residents can vote us out and do something else,? said Pickell. What a great example of being accountable for one’s actions.? Right on Bob!!!