A straw poll taken last week indicates that nearly half of Maine high schools would be likely to participate in a program that expands the state’s laptop-computer initiative to grades 9 through 12.
The state department of education survey, which drew about 105 responses, also showed another 42 percent of schools undecided and 11 percent choosing not to take part. The results came out during a hearing on Gov. John Baldacci’s proposal to expand the Maine Learning Technology Initiative beyond middle school.
Lawmakers are debating the initiative, which requires legislative approval before the state can sign a four-year, $75 million contract it has negotiated with Apple Computer.