The Wall Street Journal published an article August 31,
Saying No to School Laptops: Programs to Give All Students Computers Come Under Fire Over Costs, Inappropriate Use by Kids (p. D1). Reporting on a purported backlash against such programs, the article focuses almost entirely on problems and concerns, including the old news about Cobb County, Georgia rejecting a laptop program more than a year ago (which was more a governance issue than it was about laptops). In response, I submitted the following letter to the editor:
Jessica Vascellaro writes (August 31) that some parents are saying no to school laptops. That's hardly news, because in districts with tens of thousands of students parents have a variety of opinions. But Ms. Vascellaro chose to focus on the negative. Research shows that students who learn to write using word processors become better writers, and students in laptop programs are more engaged in school. She did not write that Henrico County, VA commissioned public opinion polls showing overwhelming support for their laptop program from parents, teachers, administrators, and students. Nor did the article mention that two successive governors have strongly supported Maine's laptop program, as have Maine legislators and the public. It is a disservice to readers to ignore the substantial body of good news about laptop programs.
Andy Zucker
Cambridge, MA
