Technology Bettering Schools in Low Income Areas
With the country in a state of depression, public schools from coast to coast are experiencing budget cuts which are preventing children from getting the best education possible. Technology is the future for most of these children and with public schools providing more computers, iPads, SMARTboards and other advanced technology it will help get them one step closer to success.
In North Carolina alone, 46% of children live in low-income families and have fewer opportunities to succeed because of that. (Clayton) (1)____________ These children deserve just as much as the other kids. Right now times are hard for alot of people and sometimes parents forget what they do will affect their children.
The exact problem of no technology is low-income areas has not been addressed directly but some organizations such as the Best Kids Foundation are reaching out to help poor student who need help to get to college. Their theme is "Education: A Gift to Children, A Better Future (James Anderson).” (2)____________ This foundation is more international and helps the poor kids receive a better education.
Technology can actually improve kid’s grades. During a study done by the Educational Testing Service the results said, “Math achievement improved when computers were used to address higher order thinking” (Computers Help Our Kids Learn). (3)______________
“Technology has certainly changed family life in the past few years. From the way we communicate, educate our children, and socialize with friends, to the way we tend our personal business and entertain ourselves, it's a bold new world” (“Connected Kids”). (4)______________
The Wake County Public School system has 143,289 students in 163 schools. There are 20 high schools in the district in total (Franks). Superintendent Anthony J. Tata says "Nobody is happy with a 6 percent cut in funding [in Wake County public schools], but there were a lot of rumors of 10 percent, and I would just say, 'Steady in the foxhole; let's wait” (“Budget Cuts”). (5)_______________
In an interview with Green Hope High School’s assistant principle, I am able to prove exactly what technology has done to make Green Hope one of the top schools in the county. “Technology is used every day by every teacher to track, access and direct students learning and progress” (email interview). (6)__________________
The Argument of Technology in Low Income areas is that the kids will not have good future when they grow up. It will stunt there learning abilities because they will not learn as well on computers. If a student graduates high school without at least a rudimentary and working knowledge of new technologies, their future starts looking a lot less bright” (The Benefit and Danger of Education Technology). (7)__________
Work Cited
Anderson, James. “Technology Issues,” The Filipino Daily. 14 July 2013
Cindrich, Sharon M. "Connected Kids." (8)_ (what is missing?)_________, 20 July 2013.
Clayton, Christopher. E-mail interview. 27 July 2013.
Franks, George. "High School Graduation." CountyHealthRankings.gov. 21 Nov 2011. (9)______________
Langley, Jesse. The Benefit and Danger of Education Technology, NWeducation.edu, 24 July 2013.
Minchin, Marty. "Budget Cuts Will Affect Schools State Wide." Piedmont.com.
20 July 2013. (10)_____________
"Computers Help Our Kids Learn." Toronto Star, Editors: John Schiefel and Howard Smith. 6 July 2013. (11)____________