Microsoft logo is seen on a wall of a newly opened Microsoft store in Boston, Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012.ATLANTA - Georgia high school students soon will have access to a new range of technology training as part of a new partnership between the state Department of Education and computer giant Microsoft.
State Superintendent John Barge said Wednesday that Georgia would become the sixth state to offer the Microsoft IT Academy. The online training program offers students and teachers training from basic use of Microsoft programs like Excel and PowerPoint to more complex tasks like programming.
The Academy is available immediately for any of Georgia's 643 public high schools. About 200 schools already have expressed interest in using the program.
The state Board of Education has allocated $618,000 for the program this year. A Department of Education spokeswoman said Microsoft will spend about $23 million.