News Brief

02/15/13

N.Y. Schools Will Receive $87 Million for Tech. Upgrades From Settlement

Education Week (02/15/13) Bock, MikeAbout $87 million from a legal settlement with Microsoft will be devoted to technology upgrades across New York, says the State Education Department. The funds will be used as part of the New York Technology Voucher Program, which is available for K-12 schools serving low-income families. Vouchers will be offered to schools to help them get ready for computer-based testing and to support a "technology-rich learning environment" as part of Common Core State Standards readiness. Schools must have at least 50 percent of their student population enrolled in free or reduced-price lunch programs as of 2012 and complete a "tech readiness" assessment tool, which is available online. "Far too often, students in low-income school districts miss out on the use of the latest technology in the classroom," State Education Commissioner John King, Jr. said in a statement. "These funds will help level the playing field for thousands of students."

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