2008 Grant Proposal Details

MP3 Upgrade   North Eugene High-IDEAS

Total: $1969

Description:  An MP3 upgrade will become available from Read Right, Inc. to our Read Right project at NEHS in late January of 2009. I propose that we invest in the upgrade at the end of the school year 2008-2009 in order to be up and running in the fall of 2009. The upgrade includes the purchase of:16 MP3 players of basic functionality with headphones; the plexiglass shelving for organizing, displaying and storing the players; a surge protector; and three USB hubs. The cost for this much of the upgrade is $1,669.00. In order to operate we would still need to lease the MP3 server from Read Right for an annual fee of $1500 which we hope to partially fund from another source. We request $300.00 toward that expense for the school year 2008-2009.

Why is this important?  Our students are currently working in the classroom with tape recorders and text on tapes that are showing wear after five years of use. We replace broken tapes from time to time and have begun to purchase replacement tape players. As this new medium has become available, it brings new data keeping capability that allows us to send records of student reading times and levels online, rather than by manual recording. In addition students will be able to access their text with much greater ease and accuracy from one day's stopping point to the next day's starting point. In addition, we will be able to record all consultations and save them to a hard drive, eliminating organization and storage of hundreds of tapes. Students are generally familiar with the use of MP3s and in the near future, we will likely enroll students from our feeder schools, Madison MS and Kelly MS, who will have been using the MP3 system in the new Read Right projects that have begun at those sites. The MP3 upgrade will make our text more easily accessible and will support our students' progress and achievement.

Who will be served?  We serve 125-150 students annually. In the 2007-2008 school year, 104 students successfully completed the program. Others continue and new students enroll on a regular basis. Our population includes regular students, special education students and English language learners.

How will this be evaluated?  Our data input system would be made easier and more accurate. Our students will enjoy the simplicity and efficiency of the new medium. The success of the upgrade will be in the facility of its use compared to the older, failing equipment.

Does this build on existing programs?  This proposal will improve the effectiveness and likely, the appeal of the program for our students. The protocol of tutoring in the Read Right System will remain intact and will be better supported on a daily basis with the new equipment.

Budget:  Salary: none - Supplies: None - Equipment: 16 MP3 players/headphones $1,344.00 -- 1 Plexiglass Shelving unit 200.00 -- 1 Surge protector 20.00 -- 3 USB hubs 105.00 -- Lease of MP3 Server 300.00 -- Part of annual $1,500 fee. - TOTAL $1,969.00 Other source of funding: Our program is compensated for every tutor trained by our trainer, Esther Read. This year we will receive funds for three tutors trained over the course of the year. This source can partially fund this project for next school year.

Proposal #:  82