Today at the Microsoft YouthSpark Connection panel in Miami, we announced Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) is moving forward with its 1:1 device initiative, rolling out a total of 100,000 Windows 8 devices by August 2015. This spring, 13,000 elementary school students and about 15,000 7th grade civics students and 9th grade world history students will get Windows 8 devices. Also, M-DCPS’s more than 350,000 students will receive Office Pro Plus as part of Microsoft Student Advantage.
The news was announced via press release from Miami Dade County Public Schools, an Official Microsoft blog post authored by Margo Day, vice president, U.S. Education, Microsoft Corp and highlighted on the MNC homepage, Education, and Customer Spotlight newsrooms. The Customer Spotlight, USPS, and Windows PR teams are extending the news to key influential/media.
This news building on momentum from February 4 when we stood with the president to draw the nation’s attention to the importance of ensuring all our nation’s kids reap the benefit of what technology can do to enhance learning experiences; this deal is evidence that we are following through with our commitment and leading the education transformation.
This announcement shines a light on the value proposition of Microsoft technology in education and a committed partnership between the company and education institutions.
· Microsoft is committed to helping teachers at Miami Dade learn new ways to teach with technology. A well-trained teacher and the right technology is a magical combination for engaging today’s students.
· We believe that choice in devices is critical and we support the variety of our hardware partners with their diverse Windows 8 offerings.
· Microsoft technology prepares students for success. A recent IDC Study, which scanned more than 14 million job postings, found that the most in-demand skills for the top jobs through 2020 are communication, problem solving and teamwork, coupled with the technical skills of Microsoft Office. In fact, Microsoft Office is the #2 skill employers are looking for in the highest paying jobs, and #3 skill in all jobs.