Detroit Public Schools and Ford Kick Off Dell TechKnow; After-School Technology Training Program Helps At-Risk Middle School Students Earn a Home Computer
DETROIT--Nov. 1, 2002--Detroit Public Schools, Ford Motor Company and Dell Computers are helping 20 Boynton Learning Community students put personal computers together and troubleshoot hardware problems as part of the Dell TechKnow partnership program in Detroit, Mich.Dell TechKnow is an after-school program that uses technology training and the promise of a student-built computer to keep "at-risk" students in school and focused on their grades. At the end of a 40-hour curriculum, students are rewarded by taking home the computers they built.
Thirteen Ford Motor Company employees are volunteering their time and talents to implement and execute the Detroit program, to mentor TechKnow student participants for four hours on Saturdays, and partner with Dell to assist the district every step of the way. Dell donated the computers to support the program and the curriculum and blueprint to help schools get started.
"We are always looking for innovative after-school programs to engage our students in their education; Dell TechKnow is one of those programs," Dr. Burnley, Detroit Public Schools CEO said. "Public-private partnerships, like the one we have formed with Ford Motor Company and Dell Computers to execute Dell TechKnow, are important additions to our children's educational growth and will help them gain additional skills they need to succeed in today's technology economy."
Detroit is one of 11 new districts to officially launch Dell TechKnow this school year, with 20 Boynton Learning Community students enrolled this semester. The expanded program follows a successful curriculum initiated by Denver Public Schools, which is entering its fourth year in the program.
"Ford Motor Company is eager to participate in the innovative Dell TechKnow after-school technology program," states Jim Padilla, group vice president, Ford North America. "We are certain that the students will benefit from a meaningful experience as they learn about computers and their applications."
About Dell TechKnow
Dell TechKnow teaches middle school students about computers by allowing them to take apart and reassemble computers, load software, set up and run printers, upgrade hardware, diagnose and correct basic hardware problems and use the Internet. Upon completion of the program, students take home the computer they build. More information on Dell TechKnow can be found at www.dell.com/k12/techknow.
About Ford
Ford Motor Company is the world's second-largest automaker with approximately 350,000 employees, and operating in more than 200 markets on six continents. Its automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Credit, Hertz and Quality Care. The company's world headquarters are in Dearborn, Mich. Ford Motor Company will officially observe its 100th anniversary June 16, 2003. Additional information can be found on the company's Web site at www.ford.com.
About Dell
Dell Computer Corporation is a premier provider of products and services required for customers worldwide to build their information-technology and Internet infrastructures. The company's revenue for the past four quarters totaled $32.1 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.
Dell TechKnow Fact Sheet Detroit Public Schools Program Purpose: Partner with school districts, corporations and the community to enable "at-risk" or underserved middle school students to earn a home computer and learn technology skills that promote self-esteem and academic success and prepare students for opportunities in today's technology-driven world. Dell TechKnow is based on a Denver Public Schools program launched in 1999 to keep students in school and focused on their grades. Based on the success of and Dell's own experience with the Denver program, Dell launched Dell TechKnow in July 2001. Dell TechKnow is a national technology training program that teaches middle school kids to take apart a computer, learn how it and its applications work, and put it back together. As the reward for successful completion of the program, students get to take their computers home for the entire family to use. In addition, students graduate with higher self-esteem, higher grades, decreased absenteeism and a renewed interest in their own education. Information on Dell TechKnow can be found at www.dell.com/k12/techknow. Ford Motor Company Support: Group Vice President James J. Padilla & IT Vice President Marv Adams, through Ford Motor Company's High School Partnership Program (HSPP), opened discussion with Dr. Betty Hines, principal of Southwestern High School, to explore ways to better prepare the students of southwest Detroit in computer skills. Out of these talks, the Boynton Learning Community, an elementary/middle feeder school of Southwestern High School, was chosen to benefit from Dell's TechKnow Program. Since March 2002, over 20 Ford IT professionals have joined forces with the Dell Corporation and the Detroit Public Schools in program planning, coordinating set-up, scheduling, training trainers, staging computers and offering instruction. 2002-2003 Dell TechKnow Schools Districts: Launched 1999: Denver, Colo. District cities launched fall 2002: Austin, Texas; Alameda, Calif.; Chicago, Ill.; Detroit, Mich; Kansas City, Mo., and Nashville, Tenn. District cities to launch spring 2003: Laredo, Texas; Norfolk, Va.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Prince George's County, Md., and Trenton, N.J Boynton Middle School demographics/statistics: -- 737 students -- More than 80% of students at Boynton are African American, 13% Anglo and 5% Hispanic -- 80% of students qualify for free and reduced price lunches -- More than 64% of students come from single-parent households (39% is the nation average) -- Denver Dell TechKnow results (1999-2002): -- To date, more than 1,000 students have graduated from Denver's Program -- 70% of Dell TechKnow graduates in Denver maintained a "C" average one-year after completing the program Student requirements: -- Select students receive 40 hours of training. Additional requirements: -- Any unexcused absence, student does not complete the program and does not receive a system -- Missed class must be made up, or student does not graduate or receive computer -- Student must maintain a C average or show definite grade improvement -- Student must maintain regular attendance at school -- Strong citizenship: no suspensions or discipline issues Skills Students Gain: -- Take apart and re-assemble a computer; -- Load software; -- Set up and run a printer; -- Understand how to upgrade hardware; -- Identify and correct basic hardware problems, and -- Display a working knowledge of the Internet. Dell TechKnow District requirements: -- Financial: School districts must provide funds for instructor and student assistant benefits; volunteer coordination and recognition; instructor and volunteer training; hardware transportation and maintenance; supplies/materials for students participating in program; and curriculum reproduction and other supplies. -- Staffing: District-level Coordinator, Grant Writer, IT/Technical Director, Instructors and Volunteers -- teaching assistants, hardware coordinators, etc. (Depending on the size and scope of the program, these roles may be performed by one person.) -- Time: -- 40 hours: students classroom training -- Two weeks of preparation time to clean/prepare computers after arrival from Dell or other sources -- Facilities: Schools will need to provide storage space for computers; classrooms that meet voltage and outlet requirements; classrooms for orientation/training for volunteers and instructors; security; and custodial maintenance. -- Computer Resources including mouse pads, Internet service and tools for student use will need to be provided. -- Additional requirements include transportation, training materials, ability to track student progress following program completion, willingness to implement student standards and contracts for citizenship, attendance and grades, willingness to host a graduation or similar recognition event for students and volunteers, existing relationships with other community-based organizations for volunteer, financial and in-kind support as needed, and willingness to communicate to parents, teachers, students and administrators about this program, its goals and successes. What Dell Provides: To support Dell TechKnow school districts, Dell has: -- Allocated 4,000 computers to support first two years of national rollout; -- Donated the program curriculum and blueprint to help schools get started; -- Dedicated a program manager to help school districts implement the program; and -- Begun discussions with national partners to provide operating systems and educational software.