Hewlett-Packard, or HP, is a technology company founded in 1939. It is one of the world’s largest IT companies and is also one of the most admired and most popular. HP offers a varied range of products and services like handheld devices, digital equipment, printers, HP boards, and computers. HP’s commitment to quality and excellence has made it one of Fortune’s top 500 companies in 2007.

Aside from its dedication to quality service and products, HP is also committed to community service. In 2004, HP signed a 4-year agreement with Michigan’s state budget office for a $68 million worth laptop program. The program provided laptop computers to 6th graders across the state of Michigan using federal funds.

The program is part of the state’s Freedom to Learn initiative which was also made possible with the help of Microsoft Corporation.

After students received their laptops, they were required to attend a full-day orientation, organized by HP, in order for them to be properly oriented with the gadgets, and their software.

The program targets middle schools in 100 districts of Michigan which were identified as underperformers. Since the program’s inception, around 23,000 students and 1,500 teachers have been given laptops.

One year after the program was implemented, improvements were noted in terms of students’ performances during standardized tests, specifically in reading, writing, science, and math. The program has helped in positively motivating and disciplining the students. To date, 61% of students have become more interested in learning while 54% admitted that they have learned more. About 51% of the students believed that their increased efforts will help them land better jobs someday.

At present, Freedom to Learn movers, together with HP and other supporters, are planning to launch the One-to-One Institute, a national organization with nonprofit roots centered on the mission of facilitating school reform and student-centered learning via the implementation of one-to-one programs.

Aside from laptops, students and teachers were also provided with wireless networking and Microsoft Office Professional software.

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