Verizon California Technology Literacy Project
The Verizon California Technology Literacy Project provided 10,000 seventh grade students in 47 schools in California's Central Valley with the opportunity to become nationally certified in technology literacy using the TechYES program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Press Release
Press Release
Press Release
Read the official press release announcing the Verizon California Technology Literacy Project
Grant Goals
- Close the digital divide by ensuring students can use technology in powerful ways related to their school and community
- Assist schools in meeting the NCLB goal of ensuring every 8th grader is technology literate
- Link the two required projects to school curriculum and the community
- Encourage students to create projects in non-English languages
- Post the best projects to the web for use as educational resources
- Provide a vehicle for students to take responsibility for their own learning
- Provide leadership and mentoring opportunities for students
The grant provides each school with...
- TechYES student guides for every 7th grader, which will lead them through the process of completing the required projects and TechYES certificates for those who complete the program
- Half-day training session for an advisor and group of student peer mentors. Advisors receive an Implementation Guide, Peer Mentor Guide, training videos & posters
- A $500 stipend for the TechYES project advisor, for helping ensure a successful program
Schools are expected to...
- Implement the program starting in February 2006
- Ensure all 7th grade students complete the program and receive their certificates
- Provide access to available technology for participating students
- Have students participate as peer mentors in the program
- Provide time and space for the advisor and students to complete their projects
- Ensure one adult advisor and 2 to 5 students attend a half-day training in early February 2006
Grant Awardee Schools
| School | City | Number of students to become certified |
|---|---|---|
| Ahwahnee Middle School | Fresno | 407 |
| Alpha Technology Middle School | Elverta | 59 |
| Boron Junior High School | Boron | 41 |
| Brock Elliott | Manteca | 142 |
| Burrel Union ES | Riverdale | 15 |
| Christa McAuliffe Middle School | Stockton | 461 |
| Coalinga MS | Coalinga | 226 |
| Coarsegold Elementary | Coarsegold | 66 |
| Colony Oak School | Ripon | 84 |
| Computech | Fresno | 403 |
| Creekside Middle School | Patterson | 389 |
| Delta Island Elementary School | Stockton | 15 |
| Dunlap School | Dunlap | 55 |
| Edison Middle School | Bakersfield | 171 |
| El Capitan Middle School | Fresno | 413 |
| El Monte JHS | Orosi | 324 |
| El Tejon | Lebec | 193 |
| Foothill Farrms Junior High School | Sacramento | 499 |
| General Shafter Elementary School | Bakersfield | 44 |
| Haven Drive Middle School | Arvin | 322 |
| Henderson Community Day School | Lodi | 35 |
| Island School | Lemoore | 46 |
| Jack G. Desmond Middle School | Madera | 446 |
| James Monroe | Ridgecrest | 123 |
| Jonas Salk Middle School | Sacramento | 217 |
| Kastner Intermediate School | Fresno | 722 |
| Keyes Charter School | Keyes | 30 |
| Knights Ferry School | Knights Ferry | 21 |
| Lake Don Pedro Elem | La Grange | 29 |
| Lakeside ES | Hanford | 49 |
| Lee Middle School | Woodland | 406 |
| Liberty MS | Lemoore | 324 |
| Lincoln Junior High School | Taft | 255 |
| Livingston Middle School | Livingston | 298 |
| Raymond-Knowles School | Raymond | 14 |
| Reef Sunset MS | Avenal | 192 |
| Richland Junior High School | Shafter | 351 |
| Sherman Thomas Charter | Madera | 21 |
| Sonora Elementary School | Sonora | 135 |
| Summerville Elementary | Tuolumne | 50 |
| Teel Middle School | Empire | 278 |
| Thomas Jefferson Middle School | Wasco | 355 |
| Washington Intermediate | Dinuba | 471 |
| Wawona middle school | Fresno | 426 |
| Williams Middle School | Tracy | 492 |
TechYES
TechYES is a student technology literacy program designed for grades 6-9. The materials and resources are flexible and can be used in existing classes, as an extracurricular activity, or an after-school program for 7th grade students. TechYES certifications will be issued to students completing two projects meeting TechYES requirements. More details about the TechYES program.
Student Involvement
TechYES is a student-centered technology literacy program that involves students in technology projects that are personally meaningful and challenging. Students are also involved as peer mentors, so that students are the driving force behind TechYES both as learners and teachers. Students who are chosen to serve as peer mentors gain trust and self-esteem as they grow into responsible leadership roles. Peer mentors also serve to relieve the TechYES program advisor of the burden of being the only source of technology training, mentoring and assessment.
Grant Timeline
| January 18 | Applications due |
| January 20 | Awards announced |
| January 30 - February 11 | Training sessions held in several Central California locations (exact locations to be announced) |
| February - June | TechYES program runs in schools |
| May/June | TechYES certifications awarded to students |
| September - December | Remaining TechYES certifications awarded to students |
Eligibility
Any public Title 1 school that serves seventh grade students in the counties of: Amador, Calaveras, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare, Tuolumne, or Yolo. Grants will be awarded based on the fulfillment of the requirements set forth on the Grant application and announcement, as judged by the Grant application committee appointed by Kijana Voices.
Sharing your success
Schools awarded a Grant agree to the publication of their identities and information related to the use of their Grant in any promotional media that Kijana Voices and its partners may elect.
See Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for additional project details and qualifying criteria.