Thanks to the HP grant program, teachers now regularly incorporate technology-based projects into student coursework. In addition, student achievement climbed, in some cases dramatically.

The administration at Ripley Union Lewis Huntington (RULH) Elementary School wanted to use technology to improve academic achievement. However, the rural, Ohio district could not go to its tax base for the high-tech tools they wanted. The area’s former reliance on tobacco has not yet been replaced with a new industry.

The search for grants brought them an HP technology grant in 2004. At first, RULH envisioned the project before them in fairly narrow terms. They wanted to equip first grade classrooms with tablet computers. However, the school quickly realized the importance of the professional development component of the grant.

The school used those training funds to form a Teacher Technology Leader (TTL) program. A core team of teachers and technology, along with Principal Jane Massie, formalized the school’s technology-driven professional development. The group recruited and fostered technology leaders to help integrate the Ohio Academic Content Standards into a technology-based curriculum. Tech-leaders also provided hands-on, personalized support to other teachers.

From there, the school received a second round of grant funding from the HP Technology for Teaching grant and a federal Enhancing Education Through Technology grant. “The federal grant let us purchase tools like software for our classrooms,” says Massie. “but HP let us expand our efforts to train our teachers.” About 25% of the HP grant funds were allocated to professional development through the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).

This time, instead of training added for the tools, new tools became available for TTL’s educational mission. The second round of HP grants added 15 Hp Compaq tc4200 Tablets PCs, a wireless network, HP multimedia projectors, and HP digital cameras. Tablets came with a cart. Tablet PCs, multimedia projectors, and HP iPAQ Pocket PCs enhanced the abilities of technology leaders to administer the TTL program.

Teachers now regularly incorporate technology-based projects into student coursework. For example, teachers created two interdisciplinary WebQuests that focused on science and math standards. Students explored the characteristics, structure, diversity and interdependence of life, along with data analysis and probability standards. Teachers and students also regularly use online learning programs such as Destination Reading, Destination Math, Atomic Learning and BrainPop.

Student achievement climbed, in some cases dramatically. In the fall of the 2003-2004 school year, 66% of fourth graders were proficient in reading. That climbed to 79% in the 2005-06 school year. Fourth grade writing scores rose from 72.3% proficient to 93% in the same time frame. Discipline problems have also declined.

That success has now brought an expansion of the program to middle and high schools.