Dell, Irving ISD Bring Notebook Computers to Every Student; District Wins Award for Innovation in Technology

Business Wire, June 17, 2004

ROUND ROCK, Texas -- The Irving Independent School District (ISD) has completed one of the largest one-to-one notebook installations in any Texas school district, putting a Dell(TM) computer in the hands of each high school student.

Dell (Nasdaq:DELL) has equipped more than 10,000 students and teachers over the last two years with notebook computers -- complete with four-year limited warranties -- for both classroom and home use. By permitting students to take their computers home, they can continue with homework, projects and research, and family members can use the computers to access the Internet and build computer skills.

"Learning doesn't stop after the school bell rings," said Dr. Alice Owen, executive director for technology, Irving ISD. "The skills and resources available to our students extend beyond school hours and also reach other family members, effectively extending our investments."

Irving ISD's notebook initiative has received the support of the entire community. Citizens of Irving funded the program through bonds and were influential in defining the goals of the program, such as setting expectations for all high school graduates.

Irving ISD was recently awarded the first annual Sylvia Charp Award for District Innovation in Technology. The Charp Award, presented by T.H.E. Journal and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), recognizes school districts with effective and innovative applications of technology.

"The award validates that our efforts to infuse technology into daily classroom instruction is paying dividends to teachers, parents and, most importantly, to students," Jack Singly, superintendent of Irving ISD, said. "We're looking to Dell to make sure we get the most value from our technology investment."

Irving ISD also is conducting a study to measure, quantify and evaluate the effectiveness of its technology investment. The study, which includes third-party classroom observations and focus groups, is expected to be completed in August.

"Irving ISD is bringing better and more technology to the students, and with it increasingly sophisticated means to assess their investments," said Scott Campbell, director of Dell's K-12 education business. "The end result will be students more prepared for the competitive, global marketplace."

About Dell

Dell Inc. (Nasdaq:DELL) is a premier provider of products and services required for customers worldwide to build their information-technology and Internet infrastructures. Company revenue for the past year totaled $43.5 billion. Dell, through its direct business model, designs, manufactures and customizes products and services to customer requirements, and offers an extensive selection of software and peripherals. Information on Dell and its products can be obtained at www.dell.com.

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