The document proposes providing students at XYZ Central High School with smartphones to assist with their classes. Through the "Project K-nect" program, students would use the phones to communicate with classmates, get help from teachers and each other, and complete assignments more flexibly. The program aims to help struggling sophomores catch up on core subjects and increase engagement and success rates. It would cost $69,400 total but they have obtained a $50,000 grant, making the cost to the school only $19,400. The proposal argues that the program would benefit students, teachers, parents, and the school through improved academic performance and technology skills.

1. Project K-nect Smart Phones
A proposal for XYZ Central High School
by Lisa W. Price

5. Students use Alltel Smart Phones to assist in class.

6. Students work together to solve problems
in a 21 st century manner.

7. Students use calculators and notes to solve problems.

8. Then students IM classmates to compare answers.

9. Students check one another for accuracy.

10. Students can request help from classmates, too.

11. At home, students post requests for help and offer assistance
to others using an internal blog only accessible by students in
the program.

12. If students need to be absent for an
extended time (hospitalization,
pregnancy, extended illness, etceteras),
they can remain active class participants
as well as continue to get academic
support from teacher and classmates.

13. Students are able to individualize
assignments to fit their personalities.

14. Real-world applications
bring math lessons to life
for students.

15. Fast, friendly tech support is available 24
hours a day, 7 days a week.

16. “Let me tell
you why we
need this
project at our
school.”

17. Rationale:
We have a population that has not
been successful during their freshman
year. However, it has been
determined through testing, teacher
recommendations, and middle school
records, that each of these students
has the ability to succeed in school.

18. Rationale:
Students have to overcome:
•lack of support at home
•lack of technical resources at home
•falling behind in core subject areas

19. Rationale:
Using Project K-nect Smart Phones
coupled with a special academy developed
just for this population would provide the
out of school support (human and
technical resources) to bring the students
up to grade level and provide multiple
opportunities for success.

20. Projected Usage:
The at-risk population of sophomores will
use the phones in Geometry, Biology,
Economics, and English II as well as in a
5th period Project K-nect Academy class,
which will provide an additional credit in
technology.

21. Strengths of Using the SmartPhone:
•Extra elective for students
•Learn multiple technologies
•Resources available
•Technologies in home (computer,
Internet, cell phone)
•Additional support from teachers
•Enabling students

22. Strengths of Using the SmartPhone:
•Collaboration among students
•Collaboration among teachers in
academy
•Greatly decreases drop-out rate
•Improves EOC scores
•Changes students’ attitudes toward
learning

23. Concerns with Using the SmartPhone:
•Costs
•Teachers require training
•Logistics of a 5th period (transportation,
man-power, conflicts with after school
activities)
•Teachers will need to spend additional
time planning

24. Cost Analysis
Item Cost/Student Cost/Month Total Cost
Phone $500 $10,000
Service $60 $14,400
Staff Development $10,000
Application Hosting $5,000
Project Mgt Fees $12,000
Support Services $18,000
TOTAL $69,400
We have a grant for $50,000
Cost to school: $19,400

25. In review…
This project will cost less than we were
planning to spend on a full-time tutor for
the year.
Twenty of our students and four of our
teachers will gain tremendously in
technology.

26. In review…
Teachers will be happy with high EOC
scores as well as high time-on-task from
students.
Students will be happy with the extra access
to teachers and the “cool technological
gizmo” they have to use on a daily basis.

27. In review…
Parents will be pleased that students have so
much technology and are doing so well in
school.
The school, the county LEA, and the state
will be pleased with our improvements in
EOC scores, decrease in drop-out rate, and
increase in technology.

28. It’s a win-win situation.
Besides…