Microsoft’s free software program now extended to high school students

“Today, despite the economic crisis, it’s as important as ever to focus on investing in innovation so we can continue to make real progress in solving big problems and creating social and economic opportunity,” said Bill Gates, chairman of Microsoft. “In particular, I believe investment in education is essential. Education is the starting point for success for individuals and the prerequisite for economic growth and prosperity for communities. It’s vital that we support efforts to provide children with access to a high-quality education and adults with access to ongoing technology skills training.”

The DreamSpark program provides no-cost access to Microsoft designer and development tools as well as training for verified high school, college and university students worldwide. Unlike the university and college students the high school students do not sign up for the program themselves. that job goes to the school administrator who is the one that will receive the product keys to hand out to the students. Once they have the students can sign in with their Live ID to the DreamSpark site and download the software.

[hat tip to LiveSide.net]