High school students in the Corpus Christi Independent School District now have the option to take home high tech tools to help them with their homework.
It’s all thanks to a $150,000 grant from the Texas Education Agency.
The grant allows CCISD high school libraries to check out laptops, Chromebooks and WiFi devices to students who may not have internet or computer access at home. Supplies are limited and are given out on a first-come, first-serve basis.
“It’s really cool because it allows those students that don’t have that opportunity at home to learn something new,” said Victoria Armes, a junior at Moody High School.
She says these new resources are already helping her in the classroom.
“It helps my grades a lot because I do use my computer for everyday work,” said Armes.
But before the technology can be taken home, students and parents must first watch a presentation about how the lending program works, and they must participate in training about internet safety. They must also sign a technology-lending terms of agreement form, which states these computers are meant for school purposes only.
When the requirements are completed, students are able to take home the technology, along with a backpack to protect everything, for seven days before returning it to the library.
Armes, who’s a junior at Moody, says she’s excited to be taking advantage of the opportunity.
“Because I have two younger siblings and they’re always hogging our computer,” Armes said.
Meanwhile, Henry Crawley, a junior at Moody High School, is also using the technology. He’s a member of the Citgo Innovation Academy, and says access to these resources will help him complete class assignments and research at home.
“It’s going to help us a lot at home when we don’t have internet access at school,” said Crawley. “So yes, of course, I will take advantage of it. It’s a great opportunity for us.”
The grant allows the lending program to go on for three years.
Schools participating in the program are: Branch Academy, Carroll High School, Coles High School, Collegiate High School, King High School, Miller High School, Moody High School, Ray High School and Veterans Memorial High School.
For more information on the program, students and parents can contact their high school librarian.
