Yikes - our inner city school is trapped in dark ages! As a high school special education teacher in a high-need community, computers are, sadly, a luxury item. Training students to use Web 2.0 tools and to innovate within a digital environment is crucial to their success in the "real world."
Although my students are somewhat aware of the potential of the internet, they do not own computers, and lag far behind their more privileged peers in terms of computer literacy. I hope to pilot a program at school, in which a group of five students with special needs will take part in the school's first-ever "Virtual Classroom," in which each will apply an array of internet tools towards a variety of learning experiences each and every day. We've got the enthusiasm and the curriculum...now if only we had the technology!
In our Virtual Classroom, each student would have his or her own laptop, which he or she would use to improve skills and develop truly innovative products using technology. For students with special needs (particularly emotional disorders and learning disabilities), investment in such a program would do wonders for their confidence and levels of engagement. As reluctant writers, students' daily use of Web tools to support learning would really ramp up their skills, and improve their chances for success in a world where unfortunately, they've already got a number of strikes against them.
Your generosity would change the lives of five 15-year-olds who face tremendous academic and personal adversity. Being entrusted with the laptops, and selected for participation in the proposed program would, I hope, inspire them to new heights, and equip each student with the skills they'll need for success beyond high school. Your consideration is immensely appreciated!
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Paletti and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
{"pmaHash":"","showProjectRecommendations":true,"leadGenEnabled":true,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"NY","teacherPossessivePronoun":"her","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":4,"name":"High School"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"completingDonationAmount":0,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/laptops-for-students-with-special-needs/214144/","mayHaveReplacements":false,"numStudents":5,"isEquityFocusV1":true,"teacherScreenName":"Ms. Paletti","isEquityFocus":true,"proposalHash":"-1967868121","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":100.00,"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"photosPublished":true,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"shouldTrackEquityFocusV2":true,"schoolCity":"New York City","teachersOnPage":[24133],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"minimizedLeadGenEnabled":true,"proposalId":214144,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":0,"verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":false,"authorIds":{"24133":{"owner":"Ms. Paletti","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":1.0,"proposalsOnPage":[214144],"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherHasProfilePhoto":false,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":21,"teacherChallengeId":39876,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":null,"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":["ODI0NQ==","MjcxOTMx"],"teacherId":24133,"schoolCounty":"New York (Manhattan)","fullyFunded":true,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":true,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"NY","name":"New York"}}