News Release
April 13, 2006
National Success Of Dell's TechKnow Initiative Marked In Denver, Where It All Began
Dell executives joined public school leaders here today to celebrate the national success of the Dell TechKnow program, which began as "Learn & Earn" at Denver Public Schools in 1998 to combat the student dropout rate and provide students with home access to technology.
Dell adopted the locally-conceived concept and launched Dell TechKnow nationwide in the fall of 2002; more than 10,000 students in 43 school districts have graduated from the ongoing program.
"For the more than 1,700 students who have participated in the program, TechKnow is about much more than computer skills," said Michael F. Bennet, Superintendent of Denver Public Schools. "They've learned teamwork, developed critical thinking skills and, most importantly, gained the confidence to reach for whatever goals they set for themselves."
"Dell believes that everyone should have access to technology," said Debbie Dunnam, vice president and general manager of K-12 and State & Local Government at Dell. "Dell TechKnow focuses on developing local partnerships to provide underserved middle school students the opportunity to learn 21st century skills, and it all started with our close partnership with Denver Public Schools. We're proud to have reached so many students, and it all started here."
Dell TechKnow is a 40-hour after-school, self-paced course in which students work in teams to learn computer basics, including taking a computer apart, putting it back together, loading and using Microsoft Office software and using the Internet. Upon completion of the course students earn a refurbished Dell desktop computer, operating system and software to take home, so that they can become coaches and mentors to other family members.
About Dell
Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services they trust and value. Uniquely enabled by its direct business model, Dell sells more systems globally than any computer company, placing it No. 28 on the Fortune 500. Company revenue for the last four quarters was $56 billion. For more information, visit www.dell.com. To get Dell news direct, visit www.dell.com/RSS.
For more information, contact Michelle Mosmeyer with Dell Inc. at 512-723-2408 or Dean Kline with Dell Inc. At 512-728-8626