Metro Atlanta schools facing laptop shortage and outraged parents

When Mundy’s Mills High School started online classes last month, Rashad Bivens struggled because he hadn’t yet been issued a laptop. He tried using his personal computer for coursework, but it often failed to connect to his classes or download assignments.

“I can’t do any work so I am not passing some of my classes,” the 17-year-old senior said Tuesday as the 55,000-student Clayton County School District begin distributing 41,000 laptops ordered in May. Bivens, one of the recipients, said his teachers promised to give him time to catch up on his schoolwork.

A nationwide laptop shortage created largely by the shift to online classes is challenging districts across the metro Atlanta area. They’re waiting on thousand of orders, from less expensive Chromebooks to more robust computers that can handle the volume and heavy use involved with online learning.

Chris Ragsdale, superintendent of the nearly 112,000-student Cobb County school system said during a recent Facebook Live meeting that his district has given out more than 30,000 devices so far this academic year, but is still unable to meet demand. Thousands of more laptops are on order.

Read more: https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-news/metro-atlanta-schools-facing-laptop-shortage-and-outraged-parents/7EUGR4Y6A5H7NGEBRN72374GOM/