Garfield Acquires Computers – Sets up LAN

Most Americans agree that radically improving the education of our children should be a national priority in the 21st century. And nowhere is the need for radical improvement in education greater than in our inner-city schools. Unfortunately, this is where the Instructional Technology gap is most pronounced -- and where the concentrated use of IT could provide the biggest boost.


Garfield technology instructor surveys new computer lab



To this end, an integral component of CECHE’s school-based community health initiative is the introduction of computers with Internet access to a class of 4th grade students both in the classroom and at home. The intensive three-year pilot program involving two reputable elementary schools in Washington, DC’s most neglected neighborhoods will test the impact of innovative IT uses on early education. CECHE has made a head start by securing 30 computers from the I Have a Dream Foundation and providing funding from its core sources to set up a Local Area Network (LAN) at Garfield Elementary School.


Garfield Technology Teacher Guides Young Scholar

The computers have equipped the school computer lab and will subsequently provide home computers/access devices to a gradually expanding test group of students, first at Garfield Elementary School in Ward 8. The LAN will link the homes with the school, at a later phase. The program includes technology training for teachers, parents and guardians through an extensive after-school initiative. Integrating IT into the educational process, the comprehensive program could develop into a national model, particularly given the visibility of activities (bad and good) in the capital city.

The program will be evaluated through pre-, during- and post-program measures of changes in knowledge, attitude and behavior of the students and the parent group for different program components, including nutrition and health improvements, substance abuse and smoking cessation, and health-oriented school curriculum modifications.

CECHE is actively seeking community and foundation support to initiate the other program components – steps to improve English, math, science and biology.


Questions?  Comments?  Concerns? E-mail CECHE at CECHE@comcast.net
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