5.19.2000 ET

(CSRwire) Dell, the world's leading direct computer systems company and an Internet leader in helping customers build businesses on the Web, today unveiled a new community program leveraging the advantages of technology and the Internet to help better prepare Middle Tennessee community and its young people for a future in the Internet economy. The program will provide $1 million dollars in computer training, equipment and financial contributions over the next year toward preparing young people in Middle Tennessee for the digital world.

Last year, Internet-related jobs grew 68 percent in the United States to account for 2.3 million new jobs, according to The University of Texas Center for Research in Electronic Commerce. As businesses continue to transition to and build their businesses on the Internet, demand for tech savvy employees will rise dramatically-becoming a competitive issue for businesses of all sizes and across sectors.

Conversely, a Dell-commissioned study exploring the knowledge and use of the Internet among area youths indicated local students do not access the Internet as frequently as students on a national level and their experience is largely self-directed rather than formally taught. In an effort to help the community bring young people up the technology curve so they can compete in this new and growing job market, Dell is launching a comprehensive community program addressing the basic education, health and human service needs of its neighbors as well as the need for additional targeted access to technology, and computer and Internet training.

The study shows nearly half of all high school seniors surveyed nationally use the Internet on a daily basis, compared to only 36% of high school seniors surveyed in Middle Tennessee. Young people surveyed also reported that trial and error is how they most often learn to use the Internet, followed by parental instruction. Additionally, the survey revealed that students use the Internet first for educational purposes-including homework and research-suggesting that schools can play a larger role in helping students learn via the Internet if given the right tools.

The initial component of Dell's efforts in Middle Tennessee will be the "E-Schools Program," a joint effort by the Metro Public Schools, the Wilson County School District and Dell to target technology grants to public schools most in need. The program will also help train teachers to include the Internet in learning and will include Classroom Connections, a Dell Foundation-sponsored grants program for local teachers who include the Internet into their curricula.

"In a world that is increasingly driven by technology and the exchange of information, a solid education along with computer and Internet training are prerequisites to opportunities and success," said Rick Chase, Dell vice-president for customer service and support. "We want to help schools build the infrastructure to integrate the Internet into every day instruction and classroom experience."

As a first step in this process, Roy Perry, Dell vice-president of Nashville operations, announced that six local schools have each received a donation of six Tennessee-made Dimension personal computers. The schools, identified as among the most technically needy by school district officials, are:


Watertown Elementary School, Watertown
W.A. Wright Elementary School, Mount Juliet
Rose Park Elementary School, Nashville
Isaac Litton Middle School, Nashville
Mount View Elementary School, Nashville
Kings Lane Design Center, Nashville

"For kids without a computer at home, schools are a primary source of computer access," Perry said. "We want to work with the school systems to help them integrate Internet technology into the classroom setting."

In addition to technology donations, the Dell Foundation will also focus resources toward the fundamental health and human services requirements of Middle Tennessee youth, recognizing those needs must be met before adults and children can learn, work, play or prepare for success in the digital world. The Foundation will target grants toward education, literacy and technology access as well. In addition, the Foundation is developing ways to focus the efforts of Dell employees in Middle Tennessee toward organizations and programs impacting these community challenges.

"This effort by Dell to address critical issues in our community is to be applauded," said Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell. "Companies like Dell will play a growing role in closing the gap between the haves and the have-nots when it comes to preparing people for the digital economy of the future."

The press conference was held at Youth Encouragement Services (Y.E.S.) in South Nashville. Y.E.S. received a donation of computers from Dell in 1999 and used the PCs to set up after-school learning labs at its two community centers. The centers target at-risk kids for tutoring and assistance in a variety of school subjects.

For more information about Dell's new community initiative, or to apply for a grant online, visit www.dell.com/us/en/gen/corporate/vision_foundation/htm .

About Dell

Dell Computer Corporation (Nasdaq: DELL) is the world's leading direct computer systems company, based on revenues of $27 billion for the past four quarters, and is a premier provider of products and services required for customers to build their Internet infrastructures. The company ranks No. 56 on the Fortune 500, No. 210 on the Fortune Global 500 and No. 3 on the Fortune "most admired" lists of companies. Dell designs, manufactures and customizes products and services to customer requirements, and offers an extensive selection of software and peripherals. Information on Dell and its products can be obtained on the World Wide Web at www.dell.com.