Tools of TechnologyA 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.

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ITBSBilingual

ITBSEnglish

Kn1st2nd3rd

Iowa Test Of Basic Skills(English)

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.

Reading TEKS for English Speakers

Reading TEKS for Bilingual/Spanish

Speakers

TAAS Results-3rd Grade70% is Passing

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.

0102030405060708090100

EnglishMath

BilingualMath

EnglishReading

BilingualReading

How are we going to do this?

Acquiring a Mobile Computer Cart

Utilizing Software

Volunteers

Computer ScheduleTI ME LAB A LAB B

8:00-8:15 Potter, Smith Wilson

8:15-8:40 Bray Schlegelmilch

8:40-9:05 Fay Schultz

9:05-9:30 Carr, Knack Leslie

9:30-9:55 Cockerham Scott

9:55-10:15 Rea Savage

10:15-10:35 Shoemaker Rangel

10:35-10:55 Ward

10:55-11:15 Garcia Charles

11:20-11:45 Adams Adkison

11:45-12:05 J ones Shubert

12:05-12:25 Box Rech

12:25-12:45 Morton Pirpich

12:45-1:10 Moran Oliver

1:10-1:30 Bailey Garcia

1:30-1:45 Smith, Wilson Potter

1:45-2:10 Knox Beam

2:10-2:35 Bogart Gonzalez

2:35-2:50 Cruz Perez

   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

 

Budget

How are we going to do this?

Acquiring a Mobile Computer Cart

Utilizing Software

Volunteers

KN Discovery English

First Adventures Bookshelf

Math Concepts and Skills(E&S)

Math Corner

Reading Readiness

Story Painter

1st-2nd I nitial Reading

Math Concepts and Skills(E&S)

Math Corner

Reading Adventures Primary

Story Painter

Vamos a Leer

3rd-4th Math Concepts and Skills(E&S)

Reader's Workshop

Reading Adventures Primary

Spelling Skills

Writer's Studios

Available Software

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 activeUpper Level Spanish Classes-Spanish III & Spanish IV students who wish to practice their fluency skills and help others at the same time

The End