Missouri high school equips students with notebooks

In support of the wider trend to embrace the use of technology for improved education, Monett High School in Missouri has handed out notebook computers to students, reports local newspaper the News-Leader.

"It's a tremendous advantage to prepare our entire student body for what to expect when they get into the college setting and the workplace," says senior Kale Turner, regarding the new technology. "We're finding ways to use it that I hadn't ever expected."

The laptops were given to students in January, the newspaper states. Each is equipped with special software that pertains to the school's curriculum.

Planning for the new laptop program began three years ago at the school of 620 students, the newspaper reports. And school officials in neighboring districts say they'll keep an eye on the Monett High program to see how successful it is.

Officials in Hawaii have also announced plans to hand out notebook computers to each student in the state. According to a Star-Advertiser report, however, the initiative could take as long as 10 years to complete. A pilot program will focus on 1,500 students to start.