| Lease at a low per student annual fee online and purchase individual copies at a reduced rate. |
In 2003, the state of Texas introduced a new way to finance digital textbooks: annual leases.
AlbaCorps has embellished that plan to save you money.
In the Texas plan, the state pays publishers a set annual fee for a period of 6 years.
This is a "convenient" way to handle finances. But, it has at least two "negatives:" expense and availability.
Both problems are inextricably linked. |
Expense
The primary method of delivery for many textbooks in the lease plan was via the Internet.
In some cases, the book was available ONLY in a lab or classroom setting and could not be accessed at home or
in an "unconnected" venue.
Because quality (multimedia) digital presentations have rather large file sizes, it is necessary to either: 1) have an expensive
High speed Internet connection, or, 2) reduce the file size of the presentation to little more than text so that it could "seen" on phone line connections. |
Availability
Some areas of the country simply do not have access to Internet access to high speed access at any price. And, for those
Many families simply cannot afford the $50 a month fee.
Bottom Line: States using this plan are paying top dollar for textbooks that simply aren't available for all students at times when they need them. |
The solution?
AlbaCorps offers its courses in two formats: 1) Compact Disk; and, 2) Online download.
And, with two financial options: Lease or purchase.
Purchasing the CD version allows districts and businesses to provide students and employees with a totally portable digital presentation
that has every feature possible and none of the disadvantages of Internet presentations.
AlbaCorps' volume-based lease fees allow subscribers to utilize as much or as little of the course as needed and save many thousands of dollars each year.
They can display the course in school or at work in an online presentation and pay a per capita fee.
And, they can exercise "option 2" and purchase individual copies for students/employees as needed at a special reduced rate. |
| Note: Leasing options are available ONLY as follows: |
1. Any business
2. Any school district or state in which leasing is permitted
3. Any state where adoption does not require a specially designed textbook specifically for that state
(i.e. where a generic IC3 course is acceptable)
4. All ancillary sales
Leases must include participation by 100% of the student enrollment, grades 6-12.
To learn more about leases or to see if your district qualifies, please contact us at: Jfoster32@austin.rr.com |
