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Tools of Technology A Cooperative Program. Angela Homan ETEC 579 Dr. Davis. Project Statement
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Tools of Technology A Cooperative Program Angela Homan ETEC 579 Dr. Davis
Project Statement The purpose of this project would be to improve English acquisition, comprehension, and proficiency skills of bilingual students by increasing availability of technology through the implementation of a mobile computer lab because state mandated tests have indicated deficiencies in this group.
Target Population This project is intended for Katherine Stephens Elementary located in Rowlett, Texas, and a part of the Garland Independent School District. It would encompass the bilingual program, which begins in Kindergarten and ends in the 3rd grade. There are six bilingual classes, which can have a maximum of 22 students. In each class, 85%-100% are also classified as economically disadvantaged.
The average English speaking 3rd grader can read basic sentences and has a large vocabulary of sight words. They also have phoneme awareness and are able to sound out those words which they do not know. Because the student can understand the language, comprehension comes more quickly. Therefore, the the amount of time teaching a student to read is minimized and more time is spent on the fundamentals of a story(main idea, summary, context clues, characterizations, cause and effect, making predictions, sequencing, drawing conclusions). These also happen to be the very same things tested on TAAS/TAKS.
The average Bilingual third grader has a fluent Spanish background and can read simple sentences in Spanish. They have a large vocabulary of Spanish sight words. Teaching in third grade can still be all in Spanish and in many cases that is what occurs. Spanish students have the option of taking the TAAS/TEKS test in Spanish and 50%-75% do. However, the Bilingual program in Garland ceases after the 5th grade. The specialized learning and explanations in Spanish no longer occurs when they reach 6th grade. They become a part of ESL and are taught in ENGLISH only. Those students who have learned in an all Spanish environment in previous grades are obviously left behind.
Iowa Test Of Basic Skills (English)
Reading TEKS for Bilingual/Spanish Speakers Reading TEKS for English Speakers • To meet Public Education Goal 1 of the Texas Education Code, §4.002, which states, "The students in the public education system will demonstrate exemplary performance in the reading and writing of the English language," students will accomplish the essential knowledge and skills as well as the student expectations for Grade 3 as described in subsection (b) of this section. To meet Public Education Goal 1 of the Texas Education Code, §4.002, which states, "The students in the public education system will demonstrate exemplary performance in the reading and writing of the English language," students will accomplish the essential knowledge and skills as well as the student expectations for Grade 3 as described in subsection (b) of this section.
I believe the discrepancies in the tests that are given each year can be eliminated by beginning English acquisition at an earlier age. This can most effectively be achieved through specialized computer programs assisted by one-on one mentors/tutors.
How are we going to do this? • Acquiring a Mobile Computer Cart • Utilizing Software • Volunteers
Budget • 30 Gateway 450L notebooks (Mobile Intel Pentium Processor 1.60 GHzM, 14.1 XGA TFT display, 20GB hard drive, Integrated wireless, Microsoft Windows XP Professional) • · 30 bay mobile cart • · AP-1000 Access Point with one wireless PC card (highest security, supports campus roaming) $50,613.00 • · Intel Pro/Wireless 5000 LAN Dual Access Point $ 599.00 • · HP Laser Jet 2200dn network printer $1,207.00 • · 32 bay Battery Charger $6,758.00 • · 6 LAN Connections for Classrooms $ 1,200.00 • · Copying Costs $500.00 • · Total: $60,377.00
How are we going to do this? • Acquiring a Mobile Computer Cart • Utilizing Software • Volunteers
How are we going to do this? • Acquiring a Mobile Computer Cart • Utilizing Software • Volunteers
Volunteers • We would recruit volunteers from the local high school, Rowlett High School, which is located approximately ¾ of a mile from Katherine Stephens Elementary. We would recruit from two specific organizations. • National Honor Society-honor roll students who are required to get community service credit hours to stay active • Upper Level Spanish Classes-Spanish III & Spanish IV students who wish to practice their fluency skills and help others at the same time