Plum High School in Pennsylvania just has begun the process of going 1:1 with Chromebooks for students. Parents are able to purchase $35 insurance policies on the $200 computers. At $35 per year, you'd pay for half the price of a new device in three years. The last time I saw an article about Chromebook insurance, it was only $25 per year, so I wonder what's happened.

I assume it's because the breakage rate has either stayed the same or gone up for Chromebooks. Insurance is based on making money, and if there was not enough money in the $25 a year insurance policies, then we pay $35 to cover the losses. The number one reason for Chromebook breakage is the flexible screens, and the way to fix most of these screen breaks is to have a rigid cover. We prefer the Cranium Chromebook Cover. Others will work, too, at least for one drop or smash. The Cranium doubles as a white board so that you can go old-school in math class, but I'm sure all the teachers are totally on board with teaching all their lessons online from day one.

Some school districts will provide covers or cases. Others prefer insurance, often paid for by parents. When my kids get into high school, I'll skip the insurance and slap a cover that works on the device. For less than $20, I'll take my chances. Maybe buy the kids ice cream after they make it through each year of me not having to support an insurance company.

If you have questions about whether or not the school district should purchase physical protection for the Chromebooks, feel free to contact Daniel Lauletta, district director of technology. You might also want to ask if adding your own screen protector will cause a problem.