Maine school laptop contract to be open to others
(AP)—The only state to provide laptop computers to public school students statewide is negotiating a new contract that can be used by other states interested in following suit.
Maine has zeroed in on five different laptops and tablets as it prepares to replace more than 35,000 Apple laptops in middle schools and about the same number in high schools this fall. The state would pay between $217 and $314 annually in a four-year lease depending on which device is chosen.
Maine Learning Technology Policy Director Jeff Mao says the negotiated rates are available to other states. Vermont and Hawaii also took part in the discussions.
Maine began issuing laptops to seventh- and eighth-graders in public schools starting 11 years ago. This will be the third time they've been upgraded.
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