Sixth graders across Michigan, including Southfield, are scheduled to receive laptop computers in January under a new program called Freedom to Learn.

The program is designed to rekindle sixth graders’ interest in education, said George Brackx, Supervisor of Instructional Technology for Southfield Public Schools.

It is also designed to teach them multi-media, how to work the device and independence using the web.

“Everything isn’t totally official yet,” said Brackx. “There are still some things undecided yet,” such as which brand of computers is going to be used.

Southfield High students voiced mixed reactions to the laptop news. Senior Ashlie Hansberry supports the program: “I think it’s wonderful that the sixth graders are getting laptops. I just wish they would’ve had that type of opportunity when I was younger.”

But two Southfield High juniors beg to differ. “That is so unfair! We don’t have laptops,” huffs Adrian Pearson, who has a sixth grade sister who attends Thompson Middle School. “They (sixth graders) don’t even know how to use them. The students aren’t even behaved enough to handle a laptop.”

And Krystal Femster, who has a sixth grade sister attending Levey Middle School in Southfield, says high schoolers would be better recipients for the laptops because “sixth graders aren’t responsible enough” to have a laptop. “I feel middle school kids don’t need one (laptop). If anything, we need them. We do way more advanced stuff.”

So far the district has received $22 million from state funding for the program, $10.3 million from Federal Title II funding and $7 million from Federal carry over from last year, said Brackx.

The laptop program is supposed to be ongoing throughout the rest of the students’ middle school and high school careers, starting with new generations every year, Brackx said.

Kids may be able to take the laptops home for projects, but safety issues need to be addressed first, Brackx said. “We have to keep in mind our kids’ safety. If everyone knows that our sixth graders are carrying laptops, that can put them in danger,” he said.