And the software on each machine is not what you'd normally expect. 15 percent Anglo and 7.5 percent black. Before the introduction of the computers into Maxwell's classes three years ago, the school had high dropout and absenteeism rates, test scores were below average for the district and the state, and discipline problems were rampant. Principal Don Collier said the introduction of computers into the school changed things dramatically. Collier and Rodriguez said test scores at Maxwell are on the increase.
Absenteeism is down.
Even the incidences of students changing schools for a variety of reasons is down. Discipline is better. But when he moved into the seventh grade last year, it changed. I want to be in school,'' he said. And when the computer system isn't there, the students who rely on it begin reverting back to their old ways, Maxwell's teachers say.