Ubiquitous laptop computing is coming to the Upper West Side -- at least for a select group of approximately 420 Manhattan school kids who will be receiving free Apple and Dell laptop computers as part of an innovative new program being rolled out by NYC Council Member Gale Brewer. The program is called "One-to-One in Ten," referring to one laptop for every schoolchild in the New York City Department of Education's Region 10. It's the first 1:1 program of its kind ever attempted in New York City, and is scheduled to be rolled out in seven middle schools on the Upper West Side just in time for the start of the new school year. (Apparently, there have been other attempts at 1:1 laptop programs in New York City, but none that have had both grassroots and administrative support and that cut across grade levels.) The price of the program isn't cheap - $787,000 (including close to $400,000 that will be raised from corporate donors) - but is indicative of what can happen when educators and government officials get together on the same page of the educational playbook.

The 1:1 laptop program is all part of what educators refer to as "total technological immersion," as students reap the benefits of toting around a laptop, both in school and out of school. With the aim of offering ubiquitous laptop computing, the program will also attempt to offer students free or low-cost broadband Internet connectivity at school and at home, so there won't be any excuses for not focusing on schoolwork 24/7. In other words, no more "the dog ate my broadband Internet connection" excuses. Kids from lower-income homes will now be on an even footing with their classmates from wealthier neighborhoods. As Councilwoman Brewer explains, "It is a model project to address the digital divide in the city."

In addition to improving school performance, the program also hopes to lower rates of absenteeism and decrease the incidence of disciplinary problems. In addition, who knows? Maybe parents will take more of an interest in their child's education if there's a laptop laying around the kitchen...

A big hat tip to the various parties who made the "One-to-One in Ten" program happen: City Councilwoman Gale Brewer and her staff; the Committee on Technology in Government; a number of nonprofit, educational and government organizations; and, of course, the hardware providers -- Apple, Dell, HP, IBM and Intel.