TECHNOLOGY FOR ALL-HOUSTON DISTRIBUTES COMPUTERS TO INNER CITY YOUTH

July 17, 2002 - Through collaboration between Rice University Educational Outreach Office, Project GRAD and Technology For All-Houston seventy computers donated by St. Luke's Hospital were distributed to students who participated in the Rice University Project GRAD Advanced Summer Mathematics Academy. This summer enrichment program was held on the campus of Rice University June 3 through June 28, 2002. Project GRAD is a private, not-for-profit organization with a 12-year old scholarship program and track record of improving student academic performance and increasing graduation rates. Top students from Houston area Project GRAD high schools, i.e., Davis High School, Reagan High School, Sam Houston High School, Wheatley High School, and Yates High School were selected through a selective admissions process to receive mathematics preparatory instruction in classes they are scheduled to take in the upcoming school year. Attendance in this program would help students satisfy summer institute requirements that are a part of Project GRAD scholarship guidelines.

An activity-based, technology infused curriculum for each course was developed by the Rice University School Mathematics Project focusing on national standards, state standards including TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) and HISD Project CLEAR. Assisted through instructional support by RUSMP staff, students were taught principles and concepts by master teachers from HISD selected for their exemplary knowledge and many years of experience working with inner-city students in higher-level mathematics. The Rice University Project GRAD Advanced Summer Mathematics Academy consisted of 4 classes taking three separate courses - Algebra II Start for students entering Algebra II during the 2002 - 2003 academic year; Pre-Calculus Start for students entering Pre-Calculus and Calculus Start for students planning to take Calculus. Students were engaged in preparatory instruction for three hours daily during the duration of the program. As a result of this selective program, participating scholars are in the upper 5% of their class, are Texas Scholars, members of the National Honor Society, and are enrolled in Advanced Placement courses that are available on their campuses. The purpose of the program is to provide students the experience of a rigorous university environment in preparation for their college admissions process upon graduation from high school. Most students from Project GRAD schools are from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, are underrepresented minorities, and are first generation college students.

Technology For All-Houston (TFA-Houston), the local affiliate of the national Technology For All initiative, is a non-profit organization that brings technology to Houston's underserved communities. The goal is to utilize technology as a tool to bring meaningful and sustainable change to low-income communities through education, workforce development and economic development. TFA-Houston student volunteers prepared the computers for distribution at its Milby Outreach Center at 2220 Broadway in Southeast Houston. The Milby Outreach Center, located in facilities provided by Milby United Methodist Church, was opened in Spring 2002 through the generosity of Shell, Washington Mutual and other donors. The facilty serves the surrounding Pecan Park community and as the "recycling/distribution center" for the redeployment of computers to underserved communities that have been donated to TFA-Houston by its corporate donors. Since opening the facility, TFA-Houston has helped create and develop 43 new community technology centers (CTCs) in collaboration with grass roots Houston area community-based organizations serving. The computers for these CTCs were provided through the generosity of corporate donors such as St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital which donated the 77 desktop computers distributed to Project Grad students.

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TECHNOLOGY FOR ALL-HOUSTON
"We bring Technology to Underserved Communities"
www.techforall.org

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Houston, Texas 77024
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