Technology rich Kansas classrooms.

The Technology Rich Classroom (TRC) project is a statewide grant to integrate technology and state curriculum standards and to promote best practices in Kansas elementary and secondary schools. The grant was funded by Enhancing Education Through Technology, an NCLB Title IID program, and part of the Kansas Competitive Grant project. A total of 42 grants have been awarded, impacting 64 school districts. Over 160 Kansas classrooms in 70 elementary schools have TRC project programs.

Since 2003, the total TRC grant of more than $7 million has been divided into four content area parts, with over $3.1 million going to reading, almost $2 million to math, close to $1.2 million for integration, and the smallest amount, $445,000, going to science.

TRC goals are to enhance reading, math and science skills through technology. Improving teacher technology skills for increasingly advanced integration is a priority, and teachers receive extensive online professional development. TRC is now in Phase 5 and will award new grants in April 2007.

The minimum equipment in a TRC classroom includes a laptop or desktop computer for every two students, an interactive whiteboard, a media projector, a digital still camera, a printer, a scanner, Internet access, and software to support instructions and curriculum projects.

School leaders support the classrooms, schools and the TRC project, so that students can benefit from content-rich learning experiences using 21st century tools. TRC is contagious, says TRC grant facilitator Rita Betts. Administrators are listening and learning, and more teachers are attending training sessions and requesting technology for their classrooms. According to technology specialist Layne Schiffelbein, an additional benefit has been increased attendance and decreased disciplinary referrals.

trc.altec.org