Judge OKs Orange County School District's Laptop Program

Fullerton Schools District's 1 to 1 laptop program receives the go-ahead with some conditions from a judge.

Should there be a set price tag when it comes to public school education, or should students be afforded just as much opportunities when it comes to technological exposure as a private school - even if that means parents must foot part of the bill?

This was one question that stemmed from a controversy that resulted in the Fullerton School District in Orange County over a laptop program. The program, launched in 2004 at only three schools in the district, allowed for parents to purchase Applie iBooks for students priced at $1,500 each. The laptops were to then be used in the classroom, for research and homework assignments.

The program was met with mixed reactions as some parents felt pressured to have to purchase the pricey learning tool, which is a far cry from the typical price tags of school purchases such as pencil boxes, lined paper, pencils and erasers that most parents are accustomed to paying. A $1,500 investment seemed like too much.

In contrast, some parents, teachers and district officials supported the program as a means of making sure their kids remained competitive in a world where students compete on a global level when it comes to technology and the skills demanded of potential employees in the workforce today.

The one to one laptop ratio ensures that learning typing, word processing and Internet search skills would indeed be integrated into the classroom curriculum. However, it was the fact that parents footed the bill for this learning tool that had some people arguing over the necessity of the laptop.

The program's controversial aspect reached its peak last year when the American Civil Liberties Union became involved and jumped in on the side of the parents saying the laptop program was unfair. The ACLU brought the Fullerton School District into court arguing the unconstitutionality of the program.

On Dec. 4, a judge finally made a decision on the case saying the program could be allowed only as long as 90 percent of parents agreed to pay for the laptop or the school had enough state, federal or local money to pay for the laptops.