A new $110-million initiative is providing laptop computers and technology to Michigan teachers.
Approved last summer by Gov. John Engler and the Michigan Legislature, the Teacher Technology Initiative is designed to assist teachers through the provision of personal computers, software, remote Internet access and Web-based professional development.
“I think the intent of the program is to ensure that Michigan kids have every advantage,” said T.J. Bucholz, Michigan Department of Education spokesperson. “Providing teachers with technology such as laptops is a step in the right direction.”
But not everyone agrees with Bucholz.
Chuck Weston, a teacher at Renaissance Public School Academy, 2797 S. Isabella Road, said the initiative “shortchanges” both the taxpayer and student.
“I just think that the kids and the taxpayers are being ripped off big time,” he said. “This is a selfish thing.”
Weston doubts the computers will be used solely for teaching and education purposes.
“I’m sure there are things that will be purchased that they won’t use in a million years,” he said. “I think that to the tune of that amount of money you can inconvenience yourself and drive back to school to use a computer.”
Engler is trying to appease the Michigan Education Association and Michigan teachers before he is out of office, Weston said.
“Why didn’t he do this five years ago when we needed it?” he said.
“We’re continuously getting kicked in the face,” Weston said of Engler’s actions toward teachers.
Schools are teaching kids how turn on a computer but not how to read and write anymore, Weston said.
“We’re losing a lot of skills that are really important by pushing technology.”
Weston said students’ reading skills have worsened in the last 10 years.
A cooperative attitude between the governor and teachers would solve problems like this, he said.
“If I accept anything it’s going against what I believe in,” Weston said.
State Sen. Joanne Emmons, R-Big Rapids, said it is up to individual schools to decide how they will use the technology.
“Everybody recognizes that if the students aren’t technology-wise they’re shut off from a lot of places they need to go,” she said.
Emmons said if teachers are not trained in technology, they cannot educate their students adequately in that area.
“I think the governor is very sincere and has a clear understanding that technology is a necessary knowledge for every single student in the state of Michigan,” she said.
Emmons said new technologies intimidate some people.
“It’s hard to make this change,” she said. “If you don’t know the possibilities within the technology system, you’re not going to pass that on to students.”
Emmons said new technologies bring drastic changes, “very much like changing from a horse and buggy to an automobile.”
The initiative is managed by the Michigan Virtual University, a private, nonprofit organization created by the governor to meet work force education and training needs of Michigan businesses and industries, according to its Web site.
Bucholz said vender solutions are still being considered, both Macintosh and PC platform options are possible.
In general, teachers are willing to try new things, he said.
“I think that there has been a mixed response,” Bucholz said. “They want to be able to use technology appropriately.”
Giving teachers a laptop is a step in right direction, he said.
“I think in the long term, this is a wonderful opportunity for districts.”
About 3,500 students are enrolled in Mount Pleasant public schools, Bucholz said.
Cost of laptops for a district with a staff of 300 at approximately $1,500 per teacher would add up to $450,000, he said.
That much money is a big hit for any district, Bucholz said.
“Any assistance that the state can provide a district is welcome,” he said.
“We haven’t had all the questions answered yet, but we will and the goal here is to provide each teacher in Michigan with the necessary tools they require to educate children successfully, and I think that’s the bottom line of this program.”
School applications for initiative money must be submitted by June 30, 2001.

E-mail the author: Dorothy BourdetLIFE Staff Writer