Microsoft U.S. Education Offer Q&A

Microsoft U.S. Education Offer Q&A

If you have further questions regarding Microsoft’s ConnectED opportunities, please join the conversation at theMEPN US ConnectED Yammer site.

Announcement Q&A

Q: What is the offer you are announcing?

A: In support of President Obama’s ConnectEd challenge, mentioned in his State of the Union address, Microsoft has created an education offer that allows all U.S. public schools access to, and lowers the cost for, Windows-based devices in the classroom. The offer includes more than $1 billion in savings applied toward the latest Windows 8.1 devices, as well as essential software and services such as Microsoft Office 365, Partners in Learning teacher training, Bing for Schools and more.

With this offer, cost is much less of a barrier for schools that want to give their students the best that technology has to offer. Working with our OEM partners, we’re able to save schools significant dollars.

Microsoft offers the best solution for education at a lower cost. It’s not just the device. It’s how the device is used with our services and our programs. They map to the needs of our students and of our future.

Q: Low cost PCs are a start, but what are the full components of this offer?

A: In addition to Windows 8.1 Pro devices at a reduced cost delivered through Microsoft’s OEM partners, the offer also includes:

• Office 365 Education Communication and Collaboration Tool: Communication, collaboration, and presentation skills are essential for succeeding in today’s top jobs. Microsoft provides the tools necessary to create college and career-ready students. US K-12 schools can access Office 365 online for free. And now, with Student Advantage, Office 365 Education customers can access Office 365 ProPlus, receiving all the familiar, locally-installed full Office applications for students at no additional cost.
• Partners in Learning Network Teacher Training and Resources:Partners in Learning provides educators with a network of nearly 1 million educators from 136 countries. It offers them a forum where they can share ideas, find free lesson plans to inspire classroom learning and develop professionally.

• Bing for SchoolsAd-free Search: An ad-free digital literacy platform aimed at helping students learn important digital skills based on access to a connected computing device, daily Common Core aligned lesson plans and a safe, private environment where no student data is mined
• Student Training and Resources: TheMicrosoft IT Academy provides 2000 high needs academic institutions and their educators, students and staff with digital curriculum and certification for fundamental technology skills and donates $1 million towards certifications for students at these schools. The ITA program, in over 16,000 academic institutions, reaches over 8.5 million educators and students globally.
• Affordable Broadband from EveryoneOn: A critical component to connected learning,Microsoft’s non-profit partner EveryoneOn is offering home internet service for as low as $10 to the 36 million Americans living in low-income communities.

Q. How does this help reach ConnectED’s goals of connecting U.S. schools to the digital age within five years?

A. The President’s ConnectED program aims to connect 99% of America’s students to the internet through high-speed broadband and high-speed wireless within five years. The President also directed the federal government to make better use of existing funds to get internet connectivity and educational technology into classrooms and into the hands of teachers trained on its advantages.

As a corporate partner who is very supportive of this vision, Microsoft is stepping up to do our part. First, we believe part of our role here is to lower the barriers to access to the best technology – and its cost – for ALL U.S. schools. The device progress is a key component of solving the challenge.

The other component is broadband access to schools, as well as low-income families, which we believe is a critical component of connected learning.That’s why we work with Microsoft’s non-profit partner EveryoneOn to offer home internet service for as low $10 to the 36 million Americans living in low-income communities.

Q: Who are Microsoft’s partners in this offer?

A: All OEMs will be able to fulfill this offer and provide a Windows device to a school. Two of our partners, Dell and Lenovo, are joining us in this announcement today.

Q: Is Microsoft Surface included in the offer?

A: No, Surface is not part of this offer, but Microsoft offers education discounts on Surface products, and is proud to partner with America's schools.

Q: How do schools qualify for this offer?

A: The Federal Government identifies all public K-12 schools on its site, the National Center for Education Statistics. Every public K-12 school on that list is eligible for the offer. There are about 100,000 such schools in the U.S.

Q: Will Microsoft determine who is eligible or will it be the US Department of Education?

A: The Federal Government identifies all public K-12 schools on the National Center for Education Statistics website. Every public K-12 school on this list is eligible for the offer.

Q: Where can I find more information about Microsoft’s ConnectEd offer?

A: Schools can visit

Q: How does a school prove they are entitled to the discounted offer?

A: The Department of Education has identified all public US K-12 schools onthe National Center for Education Statistics website. Every public U.S. K-12 school on this list is eligible for the offer. Districts and schools should contact their local Microsoft or reseller representative to assist in obtaining a copy of the offer Letter of Eligibility.

Q: Are private schools eligible for this offer?

A: This offer is for government-funded schools only.

Q: Are public charter schools eligible for this offer?

A: The Department of Education has identified all public K-12 schools on the National Center for Education Statistics website. Every public K-12 school on this list is eligible for the offer.

Q: Do schools need to conduct a formal RFP to get the devices?

A: No, with the Letter of Eligibility that a school or district can obtain from Microsoft, schools can go directly to their OEM partners and purchase devices in any quantity. Schools can continue to purchase through tender, RFP or their existing methods.

Q: Is there a minimum quantity for ordering?

A: No, a school can purchase as many devices as needed. There is no minimum or maximum.

Q: How does the OEM choose what device is best for this offer?

A:We expect our OEM partners to make a number of diverse devices eligible for this offer, giving schools multiple choices for different needs at a variety of price points.

Q: Is this offer limited to any specific type of device?

A: The OEMs will select and bring to market great devices. We believe our OEMS will deliver a range of devices including tablets, PCs and laptops.

Q. How much will schools be paying for each device?

A. We don’t have exact dollar amounts. Those final decisions will be up to the hardware partners like Dell, Lenovo, etc. However, we expect a range of prices, all significantly decreased, of which schools can take advantage to place these very powerful tools in the hands of students.

Q: Is this the $1 Windows offer we’re hearing about?

A: We do not disclose pricing between Microsoft and the OEMs. We have significantly lowered the cost of the Windows operating system for our OEM partners in order to accomplish our vision of increasing access to technology in the classroom.

Q: How much is the investment?

A: With Windows alone, we estimateK-12 school savings (and investment/reduction in our profits around the amount) of $1 billion.

Q: What is the timeline of that investment? Is it one year?

A: Currently, the offer extends for one year. However, Microsoft continues to invest in education, building upon the nearly $750 million in education investments and programs over the last 15 years.

Q: Are you committing to do this for the full five years of the President’s program?

A: Currently, the offer extends for one year. However, we will continue to evaluate its results, and we will continue to support the President’s initiative through its five-year period.

Q: How can Microsoft and its OEM partners afford to sell devices at such a low cost?

A: As part of the offer, Microsoft and its partners are both investing heavily, issuing price reductions both in Windows and in the OEM hardware in an effort to lower the barriers toward bringing PCs and devices to classrooms nationwide.

We are investing in the future of America.

Q: How is this saving schools over $1billion dollars?

A: Our estimates are conservative. We see it as a combination of expanded access to a program of incredible value and a significantly lowered cost of the Windows operating system for our OEM partners. This will inject $1 billion in savings into the system, allowing us to achieve our vision of increasing access to technology in the classroom.

Q: With this offer, what are schools actually paying for a device and the package?

A: We expect our OEM partners to make a number of devices eligible for this offer, giving schools multiple choices for different needs. It will be the OEMs role to set the pricing of the different devices, but we are confident that there will be a number of incredibly affordable options.

Q: How much money is Microsoft committing to this initiative in the U.S.? / world?

A: Microsoft is providing a combination of reduced pricing for our software, training and certification resources for teachers, Bing for Schools and more. This will easily be more than a $1 billion value.

Q: How much are you willing to discount your Windows license to schools?

A: We are working closely with our OEM partners and we do not disclose financial specifics.

Q: How long is this offer good for?

A: Each OEM offers its own device pricing. The Letter of Eligibility issued by Microsoft is valid for one year. Microsoft maintains a long-standing commitment to education and will evaluate the program at the end of the year.

Q: Why is this US only?

A:While initially only available in the U.S., Microsoft is taking a thoughtful approach to extending this offer globally.As such, we are currently meeting with governments around the world to discuss how we can work together to address their education and technology challenges.

Q: Are similar announcements planned in other parts of the world?

A: Today’s announcement is a major step forward in Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to equip students worldwide with the technology required to ensure their future success. The offer announced today is unique to the U.S. because we are working with the federal government to make sure the offer is available to all U.S. K-12 schools. We meet regularly with governments around the world to discuss how we can work together to address their education and technology challenges. Together with our OEM partners we have offerings in many markets and are looking forward to further discussions with government partners. We have nothing further to share at this time.

Q: How should I take part if I am not in the United States?

A: Government officials should contact their Microsoft Education or Public Sector team for more information on partnering with Microsoft and its ecosystem of partners on affordable computing in education.

Q: Are there any initiatives underway currently to provide students outside of the U.S. access to Microsoft’s technology in the short term?

A: Yes. In addition to our efforts to make our technology accessible to students and educators around the world, we’ve invested heavily in programs and offers that give students and educators the tools they need to succeed in today’s workforce. In fact, our investment in education programs to date is more than $750 million. Some examples include:

• Student Advantage: Helps address the issue of preparing students for the skills needed in the workplace. With Student Advantage, schools that license Office 365 Professional Plus or Office Professional Plus for faculty and staff can provide Office 365 Pro Plus to students at no additional cost, providing millions of studentsworldwide access to the best productivity tools available today.
  One of the greatest Student Advantage successes to-date includes four million sets sold as part of a deal between Microsoft and the Sao Paolo State Department of Education (SEE)
• DreamSpark: Gives students professional-level developer and design tools at no cost
• Partners in Learning Network: Helps educators successfully incorporate technology in the classroom to enhance the learning experience for their students. We’ve reached more than 207 million students and 12 million teachers across 119 countries over 10 years.
  The Partners in Learning network currently has 800,000 active global members and is growing 30% month-over-month.
• Student training and certification:With the Microsoft IT Academy (ITA) program, nearly seven thousand academic institutions across the U.S. alone reach over 35,000 educators and over 1 million students who receive training and certifications for technology skills critical for success in today’s workforce
• YouthSpark: A global initiative aimed at creating opportunities for 300 million youth worldwide by 2015. This initiative includes programs like:
• Imagine Cup:Ignites students’ passion in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)
• Innovative Schools and Innovative Educator programs: Provides research, professional development and community support to schools and educators
• Bing for Schools:Provides the education community ad-free search in the U.S. and advanced filtration for children
• Teaching with Technology:Helps support classroom teachers as they integrate more ICT into their teaching and learning. The curriculum will soon be available in Mandarin, Arabic, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese and Indonesian.
  In Russia, the Open Education Institute of Moscow successfully trained more than 5,000 educators using the Microsoft Teaching with Technology curriculum. They now plan to certify 50,000 additional educators over the next three years.
• 4Afrika: Engages Africa’s economic development with devices and partnership
• 4Afrika Youth Device Program: As part of this program, students and faculty enrolled in participating universities (4Afrika Premier Universities) get advanced, state-of-the-art devices like tablets, smartphones and laptops at an affordable price or through smart financing via Microsoft partners
• 4Afrika ScholarshipProgram:Helps develop Africa’s future leaders by ensuring they have access to the education and skills they need to succeed. Together with our partners, our goal is to deliver mentorship, training, certification and university-level education and employment opportunities to promising young African leaders at no cost.

Q: Does this affect global OEMs? How can OEMs in different countries/regions gain access to the same reduced price as U.S. OEMs?

A: We have significantly lowered the cost of the Windows operating system for our OEM partners in order to accomplish our vision of increasing access to technology in the classroom. We’re continuously working with our global OEM partners to identify new opportunities to provide the latest and greatest technology solutions to today’s students and educators. As additional opportunities arise both within and beyond the U.S., we’ll work closely with local governments to ensure we’re taking a thoughtful approach to making similar offers available around the world.

Department of Education Partnership Q&A

Q: What is the Department of Education’s (DOE) role in this offer?

A: The DOE has a goal of connecting U.S. schools to the digital age within five years by providing cost-efficient devices and services. We have a mutual interestin offering the best education experience possible to students nationwide. This is a bold commitment on our part and we are pleased to be partnering to achieve the President’s vision.

Q: Is this program an extension of your Shape the Future program?

A: Yes. Our Shape the Future offer is a global effort aimed at enabling access to affordable computing for students around the world. To date we have reached over ten million students and families in countries includingAzerbaijan, Malaysia, Portugal,United Kingdom and Argentina among others. As a way to support the US ConnectED initiative, we worked with partners to create a specific offer.

Q: What else is Microsoft doing to support President Obama’s ConnectED initiative?

A: Microsoft has many programs that complement or support the ConnectED initiative, and we believe strongly in supporting the U.S. administration’s aspirations to connect U.S. schools to the digital age, upgrade connectivity, train educators and build on private-sector innovations. Our programs and partnerships include:

• TEACH.org
• EveryoneOn partnership
• Partners in Learning

Q: We’re coming up on the end of Microsoft’s commitment at CGI in 2011 to provide one million students and families with access to affordable technology, what’s the status?

A: Shape the Future is the program that enables access to affordable computing for students around the world. Our Shape the Future offer is global and to date we have reached over ten million students and families in countries includingAzerbaijan, Malaysia, Portugal,United Kingdom and Argentina among others.To support the US ConnectED initiative, we’ll be further fulfilling the goals we made on Shape the Future as part of the Clinton Global Initiative and we’ll be working with partners to ensure this offer also accrues to the goal of broadening access to affordable technology.

Q: How does this tie into Microsoft’s corporate citizenship commitment and philanthropy?

A: This effort is part of Microsoft YouthSpark, a global, company-wide initiative that aims to create education, entrepreneurship and employability opportunities for 300 million youth around the world by 2015.YouthSpark is central to our overall approach to education and goes beyond Microsoft’s philanthropy and social investments, as it provides additional offerings specific for teaching and learning alongside our partners.

Partner Q&A:

Q: How are device orders processed?

A: Customers interested in ordering qualified devices are asked to provide you with their letter of intent (LOE) for proof of validation. If the customer does not have the LOE, Resellers are asked to contact the OEM for validation and pricing. The OEM validates that the end customer is eligible to procure the National Academic Offering sku. Upon validation the OEM provides the LAR/Disti/etc. with the devices with the Windows 8.1 Pro National Academic Offering