FAQ

If you have questions that aren't addressed here, please let us know. You can Submit your questions online, or contact us.

The 1:1 Initiative

What is 1:1?

At its most basic, 1:1 (or 1 to 1, one to one) is shorthand for the ratio of computers to students (one computer for each student), but the MCPSS 1:1 initiative will include the technology, services, training, and support necessary for a successful move toward a more blended and student-centered 1:1 learning environment.

Beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, MCPSS will provide every student with a Chromebook notebook computer - giving a ratio of one computer to one student.

But our implementation of this increased student access to technology involves much more than can be represented by a simple ratio - more computers for students is only a part of our 1:1 initiative. Please read more on our What is 1:1? page.

Why go 1:1? Aren't computer labs good enough?

Computer labs are great! And they will continue to have important roles in our schools. Placing a computer in the hands of every student, however, opens up incredible possibilities for more personal, meaningful education experiences for our students.

Chromebooks

What is a Chromebook?

A Chrome book is a computer - usually a laptop/notebook - that uses the Chrome operating system (rather than Windows or Mac). The Chrome book operating system is published and maintained by Google, but Chromebooks are produced by many manufacturers, including Lenovo, HP, Samsung, and others - even Google.

Much of the work done using a Chromebook takes place in "The Cloud", with the Chromebook accessing programs and services through the Chrome browser. A good example (and not just for Chromebooks) is using an online productivity tool and storage system - like Office 365 or Google Docs - to create and save a document. The software, storage, and end product are all used on and saved to internet-based data centers - not on the computer itself.

Read more about Chromebooks on Wikipedia - or on Google's promotional page.

And see our Chromebook Care and Chromebook Help pages for more information.

Also, be sure to see the MCPSS Chromebook Handbook and MCPSS Student Laptop Agreement documents.

What happens if a student's Chromebook is lost, damaged, or stolen?

How should we care for the Chromebooks?

Please see the Chromebook Care and Responsibilities page for an overview. Refer to the MCPSS Chromebook Handbook for full details.

Do we have the option to use one of our own laptops from home or do we have to use Chromebooks that the school provides? (student question!)

You will need to use the Chromebook that the school provides.

With our move to 1:1, the schools’ networks are configured to only allow school-owned and district-owned devices to join. So, while you could bring your personal computer to school (after checking with your school’s administration), you would not be able to join it to the network. Without being on the network, your computer would not have access to the Internet or any of the web-based you’ll need – like Schoology.

Google

Do the students have Gmail accounts?

No. Student and staff email accounts are Microsoft Office 365 accounts and use Outlook for email. Students do have MCPSS-issued Google accounts for signing into Chromebooks, Google Drive, and other services, but MCPSS does not use the Gmail service.

Children under 13 aren't supposed to have certain kinds of accounts. How is it that the younger students now have Google accounts?

With our Google Workspace for Education service, we (MCPSS) create and maintain the MCPSS Google accounts. This agreement allows us to provide accounts for all students, regardless of age.

Microsoft

My child tells me that he is allowed it install Office apps on his personal devices. Is this true?

Yes! Our license with Microsoft permits students and employees to download and install Office apps on up to 5 devices. Please see the Install Office at Home page for more information.

Many Chrome books don't have a lot of storage space for installing apps. How can students use Microsoft programs like Word and PowerPoint without filling up the Chromebook's drive?

Students are encourage to make use of the web-based versions of these programs. More help is available on the Microsoft/Office 365 page.

Children under 13 aren't supposed to have certain kinds of accounts. How is it that the younger students now have Microsoft accounts?

Our agreement with Microsoft allows us to create and maintain accounts for students and employees. Since we (MCPSS) own the accounts, we are able to provide accounts to all users, regardless of age.