A Really Excellent Grant Program

The attitudes of summer school students due to the types of programs they attend should be considered when writing and implementing a technology grant.

A few years ago, my school district ran a wonderful summer technology program, funded by Dell. The focus was on math and computers. The students attended a math program for two hours, and then learned some computer skills the other two hours. The hook, the incentive, to attend was that the students would learn how to build their own computers and then could take them home at the end of the four-week program. The grant for this program was submitted by the math consultant (my district relies on the advice of experts, consultants, specialists, and facilitators, but that is a whole other topic!).

At the time, I was working a special education program for students who were to attend school year round. Only three students were attending my program. There was also another program, for the students that had failed two subjects and had to attend. All the groups would meet every morning for breakfast. The math and technology group sat and ate their breakfast, then lined up and went to class, obviously looking forward to the day. The summer school class threw their food, insulted the staff and each other, looking for ways to avoid going to class.

There is a point I am making here, related to technology and grants. Over and over, school districts make the same mistake. They feel that interesting programs are a reward for students that “get it” all year. The “failures” are given more of the same that they have failed—no incentives or “fun” activities. I have often wondered how many of the students that were throwing food and hurling insults would have benefited from this math and technology program that was offered to the students that were already successful. I think all of them.