NOTES:
• All cost estimates, except for the estimated costs for the projected figures for current tablets, future low-cost tablets, 
and home connectivity are from Chapter 9 of the Project RED report, “The Technology Factor:  Nine Keys to 
Student Achievement and Cost Effectiveness”, http://www.projectred.org/.  The transition from a “traditional textbook 
and desktop computer lab” environment to a “new digital textbook” learning environment will be implemented in 
many different ways at the local level.  But, the Project RED work shows there are paths to affordable 24/7 access 
to interactive digital content.
• The cost estimates for tablets and mobile connectivity are from FCC projections.  The projected price is $250 for 
current tablets, that are amortized over a 4-year refresh rate, $150 for future low-cost tablets using the same 4-year 
refresh rate, and $18/month for home broadband or limited mobile connectivity use between 3pm to 8am.  These 
models for tablets assume the costs of software and all hardware other than tablets will remain the same as they 
were in Project RED’s new technology-transformed schools.
• In both the “Traditional” and “New” environments, Project RED assumes the following:  500 students, 25 teachers 
and staff, 20 classrooms, 10 common areas (library, cafeteria, etc.), hardware with 4-year refresh rate, infrastructure 
costs for wireless LANS, etc, amortized over seven years, hardware costs amortized over four years and full 
warranty with protection for accidental damage; there is a 5% loaner pool for the 1:1 laptop program, consumables, 
such as paper and toner, are not included.
• Project RED notes that the "cost per student" figures a subset of the total cost of education per student and that they 
are related only to the savings categories studied in Project RED.  They further note that the savings shown here 
are generally on the low side of the expected savings range.  In many cases, the results of a "proper 
implementation" of technology could be savings at double the rates shown here.
• Project RED’s work also included additional cost savings to the state for dropout rate reductions, post-secondary 
remedial education, and dual/joint/AP course enrollment.  These savings are not included in the models, as the 
models only display savings to the school districts.  The models also do not factor in other potential upfront 
incremental costs for this digital transition, such as additional training for students and parents.
Core curriculum + 
Supplemental 
materials
$90
Power  + 
Lab space
$670
Copy 
machine + 
Paper
$40
Hardware 
(including 1 
tablet for 
every 
student) + 
Software + 
Tech support 
+ 
Professional 
development 
$375
Paperwork
$940
Connectivity
in
classrooms
$47
Disciplinary 
action + 
Failing 
courses
$1311
*  Source:  Chapter 9 of the Project RED report, The Technology Factor:  Nine Keys to Student 
Achievement and Cost Effectiveness
*  Source:  Project RED report data was used for all estimates except the cost of tablets, which we 
estimate at $250 per tablet.
Teacher 
attendance
$59
TRADITIONAL LEARNING:
$3,871/student/year
NEW LEARNING :
$3,621/student/year
TODAY’S DIGITAL CONVERSIONS TO A 1:1 TABLET
Core curriculum + 
Supplemental 
materials
$138
Power + 
Lab space
$701
Disciplinary 
action + 
Failing 
courses
$1438
Hardware 
(including 1 
desktop 
computer for 
every 3 
students), 
Software, Tech 
support, 
Professional 
development 
$279
Copy 
machine + 
Paper
$80
Student 
assessments 
+ Analyses of 
data
$144
Connectivity 
in classrooms
$19
Paperwork
$1000
Teacher 
attendance
$72
Student 
assessments 
+ Analyses of 
data
$89
WORKING MODEL
Core curriculum + 
Supplemental 
materials
$90
Power  + 
Lab space
$670
Copy 
machine + 
Paper
$40
Paperwork
$940
Connectivity
in
classrooms + 
Mobile on the 
device
$263
Disciplinary 
action + 
Failing 
courses
$1311
*  Source:  Chapter 9 of the Project RED report, The Technology Factor:  Nine Keys to Student 
Achievement and Cost Effectiveness
*  Source: Project RED report data was used for all estimates except the cost of tablets, which we 
estimate at $250 per tablet, and the cost of Mobile on the device, which we estimate at $18/month.
Teacher 
attendance
$59
TRADITIONAL LEARNING:
$3,871/student/year
NEW LEARNING :
$3,837/student/year
TODAY’S DIGITAL CONVERSIONS TO A 1:1 TABLET + MOBILE ON THE DEVICE
Student 
assessments 
+ Analyses of 
data
$89
Hardware 
(including 1 
tablet for 
every 
student) + 
Software + 
Tech support 
+ 
Professional 
development 
$375
Core curriculum + 
Supplemental 
materials
$138
Power + 
Lab space
$701
Disciplinary 
action + 
Failing 
courses
$1438
Hardware 
(including 1 
desktop 
computer for 
every 3 
students), 
Software, Tech 
support, 
Professional 
development 
$279
Copy 
machine + 
Paper
$80
Student 
assessments 
+ Analyses of 
data
$144
Connectivity 
in classrooms
$19
Paperwork
$1000
Teacher 
attendance
$72
WORKING MODEL
Core curriculum + 
Supplemental 
materials
$90
Power  + 
Lab space
$670
Copy 
machine + 
Paper
$40
Student 
assessments 
+ Analyses of 
data
$89
Disciplinary 
action + 
Failing 
courses
$1311
*  Source:  Chapter 9 of the Project RED report, The Technology Factor:  Nine Keys to Student 
Achievement and Cost Effectiveness
Teacher 
attendance
$59
Paperwork
$940
Connectivity
in
classrooms + 
Mobile on the 
device
$263
TRADITIONAL LEARNING:
$3,871/student/year
NEW LEARNING :
$3,811/student/year
FUTURE DIGITAL CONVERSIONS TO A 1:1 LOW-COST TABLET + MOBILE ON THE DEVICE
Hardware 
(including 1 
future low-cost 
tablet for every 
student) + 
Software + 
Tech support  + 
Professional 
development
$349
*  Source: Project RED report data was used for all estimates except the cost of future low-cost 
tablets, which we estimate at $150 per tablet, and the cost of Mobile on the device, which we 
estimate at $18/month.
Core curriculum + 
Supplemental 
materials
$138
Power + 
Lab space
$701
Disciplinary 
action + 
Failing 
courses
$1438
Hardware 
(including 1 
desktop 
computer for 
every 3 
students), 
Software, Tech 
support, 
Professional 
development 
$279
Copy 
machine + 
Paper
$80
Student 
assessments 
+ Analyses of 
data
$144
Connectivity 
in classrooms
$19
Paperwork
$1000
Teacher 
attendance
$72
WORKING MODEL