The purpose of this case study was to discover the types of leadership policies and practices that make one-to-one laptop initiatives sustainable in three schools in South Dakota and Kansas. In order to implement a one-to-one initiative, administrators must determine what needs should be met ahead of the implementation. The needs may include budgetary changes, infrastructure decisions, professional development issues, and policies.

The researcher conducted 20 on-site interviews of stakeholder groups including superintendents, principals, technology coordinators, teachers, and school board members to learn about their perceptions concerning the one-to-one laptop initiative. Other data collected included demographic review of the district, a professional development calendar, a sample of curriculum projects, a copy of procedures and policies related to the laptop project, and any previous surveys done by the school district concerning stakeholder satisfaction with the one-to-one laptop initiative.

Data were analyzed horizontally and vertically to create an in-depth, thick description of each of the school sites. Themes emerged regarding the practices and procedures schools utilized when implementing a one-to-one initiative. Processes followed in planning and implementing a one-to-one laptop initiative varied among the three school districts. Stakeholders most often reported vision of the administration, a clear plan for financing and implementation, engagement of students and staff morale, 21^st century learning, and the changing role of the teacher and student as influences of one-to-one computing.

Common themes across all three sites included (a) school leaders' need to establish the clear vision and put in the policy and procedure necessary to support a one-to-one initiative, (b) administrators need to plan for both initial intensive professional development along with an ongoing support system of professional development when implementing a one-to-one initiative, and (c) the school district needs to make a local fiscal investment to both initial and ongoing financing in order to implement the one-to-one laptop initiative.