| |
Buccaneers Reaching Instructional
Goals with Hunter Technology (B.R.I.G.H.T.) is the title and fundamental
aim of our grant proposal. As we address the mandated expectations outlined
in the No Child Left Behind legislation, we have identified several areas
of need that must be addressed if we are to make AYP under the new legislation.
Our School Improvement Plan (SIP) states, “Students will be able
to research and organize information through the use of a complete and
diversified media center.” Our most recent SACS study indicates
that “student centered projects and portfolios should be included
at all grade levels and in all core content areas.” Our Technology
Use Plan (TUP) states that students will demonstrate proficiency in the
following: “(1) utilizing various technologies in student centered
projects, (2) developing as contributing team players working to solve
problems collaboratively and independently, and (3) developing high quality,
meaningful work utilizing technology based resources.” We face these
areas of concern with the additional quandary of not having sufficient
technology resources available to our students and teachers. Furthermore,
we are charged with the responsibility of addressing our deficits in technology
literacy while concomitantly ensuring that all children master our core
curriculum. Are our challenges unique? No. What is unique is the plan
we have developed to help us triumph over these challenges.
Our primary focus is to help all students achieve academic success on
the student performance indicators of our state curriculum. We plan to
accomplish this task by utilizing a comprehensive approach that will address
student academics, student technology literacy, teacher training, and
parental involvement. Grant monies will enable us to purchase enough laptop
computers on wheels to allow four classroom teachers to simultaneously
engage their students in on-line learning. We will be able to purchase
additional laptop computers for teachers to check-out and use for research
and planning beyond the regular school day. Grant monies will also enable
us to purchase educational software for assessing student learning needs
and prescribing appropriate strategies to assure mastery of skills and
content. Additionally, grant monies will permit us to offer our teachers
on-going, research based professional development opportunities on-line
and in person. We are opting for a “train the trainers” approach
to professional development by appointing select teachers and administrators
to complete on-line courses through EdTech Leaders On Line and to teach
other faculty members the course content. Finally, we plan to increase
school-home communications by installing telephone software that provides
out-dial messaging and individual voice mailboxes for teachers. This telephone
software will also allow us to set up and maintain a homework hotline
for parents and students to access from home. Our grant proposal provides
a multi-faceted solution to our need for increased technology resources,
training, and use to ensure that at T. W. Hunter Middle School, no child
is left behind. |
|