ERIC Number: EJ971285
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-Nov
Pages: 4
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0013-1784
EISSN: N/A
Opening Digital Doors
DeGennaro, Donna
Educational Leadership, v68 n3 p73-76 Nov 2010
Lilla G. Frederick Middle School in the Dorchester area of Boston doesn't just train neighborhood parents how to use technology--it offers families who complete the training a new laptop practically free (for $50.00). What's more, students and parents participate in training sessions at the school together, with students often acting as teachers. This digital leg up is part of Tech Goes Home, a citywide program initiated by Boston mayor Thomas M. Menino to help close the digital divide for low-income kids. Lilla Frederick, which serves one of the poorest areas of Boston and has historically known low student achievement, implements Tech Goes Home as an empowering partnership between the school and students' families. DeGennaro explains the "relational power" approach of the partnership and describes how the school orients computer training activities to (1) connect parents to opportunities that further their learning and job success, and (2) strengthen relationships between parents and teachers and between parents and children. The article addresses the achievement gap, school-community relationships, fostering parental involvement, and educational equity.
Descriptors: Achievement Gap, Equal Education, Parent Participation, Academic Achievement, Training, Parent School Relationship, Middle Schools, Technology Uses in Education, Partnerships in Education, Access to Computers, Disadvantaged, School Community Relationship, Grade 6
ASCD. 1703 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311-1714. Tel: 800-933-2723; Tel: 703-578-9600; Fax: 703-575-5400; Web site: http://www.ascd.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Grade 6; Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Massachusetts
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A