http://dianeravitch.net/2016/02/23/baltimore-county-buys-the-great-technology-hoax-for-almost-300-million/

More to come, btw, on that total cost figure…

“Traveling at the speed of S.T.A.T.”

http://patch.com/maryland/dundalk/traveling-speed-stat-0

In a letter to state delegates dated today, which also was forwarded to the Baltimore County Council, Dr. Dance said a few people believe the school system is spending $270 million just for the devices. And he reiterates that $205 million is the amount of the contract with Daly Computers, the company providing the devices. (All the stories also note the $205 million is for the contract alone). Dr. Dance also wrote that the school system now plans to spend less than the $205 million at “approximately $187 million,” yet the administration has already requested a higher amount than planned for the fiscal year 2017 budget at $38.1 million for laptop leases, instead of the previous STAT plan of $37.5 million—about $600,000 higher, and that’s with a scaled-back rollout.

Still, a free exchange of information is important, and we and others can address these and other specifics later—including clarification on several million dollars a year in salaries for the essential and much praised STAT mentor/teacher salaries, which is not included in the $272 million for the rollout initiative—nor subsequent annual figures—as well as related costs such as tens of millions for laptop-linked classroom projectors.

Dr. Dance does lay out some of the initiative costs here: “In addition to the student/teacher devices, the comprehensive S.T.A.T. plan includes professional development of approximately $2.1 million annually, curriculum and content of approximately $5.2 million annually, and library and classroom equipment and infrastructure of $44.8 million (over 7 years). All together the projected cost of the plan is approximately $272 million; however, the plan will be reevaluated and revised as necessary as implementation proceeds.”

Again, the $272 million is for BCPS’ “6-year Instructional Digital Conversion Plan,” and does not include the more than $63 million in annual projected costs after FY 19, according to BCPS documents. But it’s good to hear there is some flexibility in this laptop/tech initiative.

Dr. Dance does have great hopes for the program and the district, with its infrastructure and other needs: writing “All of us are very much aware that the majority of Baltimore County Public Schools’ facilities are over 40 years old. With the support of our elected officials and the Board of Education we have made outstanding progress in addressing our facilities and our increasing enrollment as well.”

https://statusbcps.wordpress.com/2016/02/15/parents-do-their-homework-an-engineer-and-a-professor-on-stat/

This $10 million contract is for a student and staff identification card system. Student cards also can be used to check out school library books. The long 10-year contract is also not unique. The Daly Computers contract with BCPS is set to be in effect for a decade—through June 30, 2024. Some critics have questioned the length of the contract.

The terms can be a bit complicated, as in any contract. Superintendent Dance pointed out during the Jan. 19 meeting that BCPS has built into any contract that the school system can get out of that contract.

The Daly contract, for example, notes, under Termination: “BCPS has the right to withdraw from the terms of the contract, without showing cause, by providing thirty (30) calendar days written notice to award vendor.”

I’d be curious how often any such clause has been used….

And what exactly do these do?

http://www.pressreader.com/usa/sun-sentinel-broward-edition/20160205/282179355122387/TextView