MIAMI-DADE COUNTY SCHOOLS LAUNCHES BRING WIRELESS TO THE CLASSROOM FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN TO SECURE FEDERAL FUNDS FOR CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES

Miami-Dade Superintendent of Schools, Alberto M. Carvalho announced that The Foundation for New Education Initiatives, the nonprofit organization supporting Miami-Dade Schools, has launched a campaign called  “Bringing Wireless to the Classroom,”  to raise $7 million by January 31, 2012.  These funds will be matched by federal dollars at a rate of $100 for every $10 raised locally, yielding up to $70 million to fund needed technology improvements in Miami-Dade’s public schools.
 
The District’s goal is that all schools will be connected by Wi Fi by the 2012-2013 school year. The Foundation is urgently seeking contributions from local businesses and private citizens to meet the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) E-Rate program’s January 31, 2012 deadline to have the local funding in place.  “The opportunity to receive such a significant infusion of funds to be used specifically for technology upgrades in our schools,” said Carvalho, “not only represents a chance to enhance the learning environment for every child, but would serve to spur private sector job creation as contracts are issued to perform the work associated with the installation and maintenance of digital upgrades districtwide.”

School district administrators estimate that it costs about $200,000 to improve the wireless technology in each school. Digital enhancements provided with these funds would expedite the provision of essential improvements, particularly in older schools where infrastructure does not easily support hardwired devices or broadband connectivity.

 “The potential return on investment goes far beyond the 10 to 1 funding match,” said Carvalho, “the real ROI is the exponential increase in learning opportunities we can provide to our students and the jobs we can create in our community.”  Every school in Miami-Dade qualifies for the federal matching funds.

“Going forward, we envision digital classrooms which will serve as vibrant learning laboratories facilitated by great teaching,” said Carvalho. “In order to make this happen, we must leverage this investment opportunity so that we may afford our students’ access to 24/7 anytime, anywhere learning; cloud computing; and powerful research and communication tools which will open virtual windows across this district for every child who enters an M-DCPS school. I encourage everyone to make an investment in our community’s tomorrow, by making an investment in our students today.”

To contribute online, visit www.helpdadeschools.com click the donate button, and request that the funds be given to the “Give Kids the World – A World of Technology” program.

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