Per the settlement agreement, a fund was established, called a cy pres fund, to offer vouchers to public schools that can be used to purchase computer hardware, software, or for technology maintenance, professional development or other related services. The vouchers also can be used to purchase equipment needed for computer networks and technology infrastructure. Although the exact amount available in the cy pres fund is not yet known, it is estimated to be from $400 to $600 million. The per pupil voucher amount is estimated to be between $98 and $159 per pupil, depending on the total amount of funding and the total amount of completed applications.
"Technology in the classroom can be used strategically to improve student achievement and help prepare our students for success in the competitive global economy of the 21st century," O'Connell said. "This settlement agreement provides a wonderful opportunity to close the digital divide in many of our schools. I encourage all eligible schools to work with their district offices as they apply for these funds."
"We're very pleased that this agreement will directly benefit disadvantaged students in California who otherwise have limited access to technology in their schools," said Tom Burt, corporate vice president and deputy general counsel for Microsoft. "This settlement not only will equip California schools with hundreds of millions of dollars of hardware, software and services; it also will equip students with the skills they'll need to succeed in a world that increasingly places a premium on technological literacy."
