Sustainability Report - Dell

More than 10,000 students from 42 school districts inthe United States have graduated from the DellTechKnow program.Students Give TechKnow High MarksDell TechKnow receives high marks for customersatisfaction in its end-of-term survey of students andteachers—evidence the program is helping to increaseschool engagement, technology affinity, and personaldevelopment. Middle-school students praised the DellTechKnow program, with 98 percent surveyed citingthey "would recommend the program to other students,"and 100 percent of teachers polled saying they would"recommend the program be repeated in their districtand at another school." Increased confidence wasnoted by 98 percent of students; 97 percent of studentscited an even greater interest in computers and technologyupon graduation; and 88 percent of teachersreported that they believe Dell TechKnow is an excellentinvestment for their district.Arne Duncan, CEO of Chicago Public Schools, commentedthat "students need to become competitive in aglobal economy and it is our job to help them build abetter future." She added that "the feedback we havereceived from students, teachers and family members isthat students are building more than computers, theyare building their self-confidence and self-esteem."Duncan added that she enjoyed learning aboutcomputers and never thought she would even knowhow to open a computer before the program.Kenee Gaines, a student from Hacienda La PuenteSchool District in Hacienda La Puente, California, commentedthat she thinks the program is "cool" becauseshe "got to learn all the parts (of the computer) andlearn how it works and how to put it together." Sheadded that it was "a real challenge" and that sheplanned "to use my new computer and the Internet tohelp other kids with homework, do homework assignmentsand reports." Finally, she added that she wasgoing to "teach my mom how to use it."TechKnow Expansion and Celebration of10,000 GraduatesOne of Dell's best-known community programs is TechKnow.Established in July 2001, the Dell TechKnow program is a40-hour, self-paced, hands-on course where students work ona Dell-refurbished desktop computer in teams with the goal oflearning computer basics. Upon completion of the program,students who successfully demonstrate competencies in takingapart and reassembling a computer, loading software, basichardware upgrades, a working knowledge of the Internet, andteamwork and collaboration skills, are given the refurbishedcomputer at no cost. They also receive one year of Internetaccess at no charge from America Online.Dell TechKnow is one of the largest student computer donationprograms in the United States. To date, more than 10,000 lowincomeor underserved middle-school students from 42 schooldistricts have graduated from the program. The programdemonstrates how a global company such as Dell can deliverlocal benefits to individual customers and communities.This year, Dell and the Austin Independent School District(AISD) in Texas announced the expansion of the Dell TechKnowprogram to all 17 middle schools in the district. Austin Partnersin Education (APIE) serves as district coordinator for theexpanded program, which is expected to produce 600graduating students this academic year.Dell employees volunteer in the program in Texas, Oregonand Tennessee. For more information on the Dell TechKnowprogram, see www.dell.com/k12/techknow.Community Youth and Education ProgramsDell believes that our community engagement must includemeans of equipping youth for the 21 st century economy andsupports a number of youth programs in Dell communities.Texas and Tennessee Boys and Girls ClubsThe Dell Foundation's Literate Communities grants supportBoys & Girls Clubs in both Texas and Tennessee. The Boys &Girls Clubs of the Capital Area in Central Texas offers positivealternatives during non-school hours to children who are surroundedby negative influences, showing them how to live successfuland productive lives. Dell funding underwrites costsassociated with the Project Learn program, a multi-facetedapproach to improving education achievement. Activitiesinclude daily homework sessions with group tutoring, accessto computers for homework or playing games, comprehensivemath tutoring and a self-paced reading program. Dell'spartnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee76 D E L L S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T • F I S C A L Y E A R 2 0 0 6