I continued my quest for information about providing technology to low income schools and found there is a federal program called Rural and Low-Income School (RLIS) Program. The program provides money to the school districts which the district can use for various items. On average , a school district received $57,000 per year. This would be just a drop in the bucket for operating costs of most schools. Further, the money is not just earmarked for technology, the schools have discretion in how they use it . A report by the RLIS found that districts used the money for hiring teachers, providing professional development, and purchasing instructional materials, and educational technology, such as computers, Smart Boards, and software. If the school district only receives $57,000 that isn't even two teachers' salaries in many areas.
No wonder technology hasn't been improved more than it has in these districts. The money should be only allowed to be used for technology. There will always be some need that cannot be met, but that need should not be technology. If the future for our students involves the need to learn about technology and incorporate it , then we are doing the students a huge disservice by not providing them with the tools they will need to be successful in their futures!
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