CONNECTICUT— The Board of Directors of the Partnership for Connecticut unanimously approved the purchase of laptops for 60,000 high school students in Connecticut’s Alliance Districts to further the Partnership’s goal of advancing equitable access to education. Each device purchased from Dell will cost $396.54, a discount of 62.82 percent off list price, for a total of $23,760,818.28. Criteria used to make the selection included ensuring that the devices met the needs of high school students and their school districts, the price point for each device, and the speed with which the laptops could be delivered.

“The shift to online learning due to the COVID-19 public health crisis is difficult for teachers and families all over Connecticut but it is especially challenging for students who do not have access to the resources they need,” said Board Chair Erik Clemons. “We’re really pleased to be able to make this purchase so that high school students of all backgrounds have equitable opportunities to learn, both in the short and long term. This would not have been possible without the generosity and commitment of both Dell and Microsoft. In these extraordinary times, when demand is so high, these companies stepped forward as excellent partners to help the Partnership achieve its mission of equitable access.”

The laptop device being purchased is Dell’s highly durable Latitude 3190 Education 2-in-1, which is widely used by high school students and school districts across the country and is expected to last for five years. This model includes 4 GB of system memory and 128 GB of storage capacity. The laptops are pre-imaged so that districts have the ability to track the laptops and filter content. The participating districts will own the laptops, the related software licenses, warranties, and other rights of ownership. The laptops will arrive ready for students to open and use immediately. Dell has also offered a comprehensive support package for one year as well as additional customized implementation and professional learning support for Alliance Districts through a special added value program at no cost.

“As a teacher from one of the Alliance Districts, I know what a big difference these devices are going to make for high school students,” said Sheena Graham, an educator at Warren G. Harding High School in Bridgeport and member of the Partnership’s Board of Directors. “For many students and their families, the purchase of a laptop is simply out of reach, making it even more difficult for them to stay engaged in learning. This new tool will really help, not only in the immediate crisis but for years to come.”

“This is an important example of the power and promise of The Partnership for Connecticut to make a difference in the lives of so many young people. We saw an urgent need, developed a concrete plan of action, and are now working collaboratively to execute the plan,” said Partnership CEO Mary Anne Schmitt Carey. “The laptops are scheduled to arrive in three tranches: 15,000 in May; 30,000 in June; and 15,000 in July 2020. The Governor’s Learn from Home Task Force is already working on a process for distributing the devices to students in Alliance Districts based on highest need first.”

Governor Lamont and Commissioner Cardona have established the COVID-19 Learn from Home Task Force, co-chaired by Superintendent Paul Freeman of Guilford and Superintendent Nate Quesnel of East Hartford, to lead the safe, efficient, and timely distribution of the laptops.

About the Partnership for Connecticut

The Partnership for Connecticut is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established to help Connecticut’s disengaged and disconnected youth and young adults (ages 14 to 24) access the educational and career opportunities they need to succeed in life.