Lawmakers’ Laptop Proposal Could Be National Trailblazer, But Comes With Complications

Experts say a new proposal from Wisconsin lawmakers to provide a laptop computer or tablet to every high school freshman in the state would be among the first of its kind in the country — but also not without some complications.

Last week, Assembly Republicans proposed the state provide a laptop or tablet for every high school freshman. They also proposed a program that would let students without internet access at home be able to check out Wi-Fi hotspots from their school.

A national education policy expert believes the program would be among the first of its kind in the United States.

“Equity and ensuring that kids who are in rural areas also have (technology) access is a priority, and Wisconsin could be a leader there,” said Sunny Deye, an education policy specialist at the National Conference of State Legislatures, which tracks and supports lawmaking across the country.

Deye said there’s only been one other state to implement a laptop-for-every-student policy: the state of Maine, more than 10 years ago.

Hawaii’s governor proposed a similar program in 2012, but it was cut from the state budget.

Wisconsin Republicans have not said how they would pay for the program.

According to Barry Orton, professor emeritus at University of Wisconsin-Madison who specializes in telecommunications, some students still might not be able to get the Internet access at home, even if they’re provided a Wi-Fi hotspot — particularly in certain parts of the state.

“The more rural you are, the less likely you’ll have the infrastructure to have very robust Internet that you can connect a Wi-Fi hotspot to,” Orton said.

While the idea in general is good, it would require a substantial investment in broadband infrastructure to work, Orton said.

Gov. Scott Walker has said the next state budget will prioritize expanding broadband Internet access across the state. In 2011, the governor’s office rejected a $23 million federal stimulus grant that would have expanded broadband in rural areas, saying there were too many requirements attached to the money.