GENERATION YES

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.

Results
In an evaluation completed by the Woodside Research Consortium, Dr. Steven A. Schneider found that "there was a significant positive change in the knowledge and skills of all those involved in TechYES".  Teachers/advisors found growth in their own as well as their students’ technology skills, and the development of students’ leadership skills, particularly among the peer mentors.  Overall, "advisors, peer mentors and students in the TechYES program agree that TechYES is a productive way to ensure that middle school students are technology literate and that TechYES is an effective strategy to bridge the digital divide."

Evaluation Highlights

• Advisors agreed (97%) that TechYES helped bridge the digital divide in their primarily Hispanic and Southeast Asian schools.
• 100% of advisors agreed that TechYES is a good way to ensure middle school technology literacy.
• TechYES advisors, peer mentors and students felt that there was significant positive change in the knowledge and skills of all those involved in TechYES.
• Advisors saw growth in their students' technology skills, in peer mentors' skills as effective leaders and tutors, and in their own abilities to teach technology.
• Advisors reported a significant improvement in their own abilities to teach technology and use project-based, collaborative methods.

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 provided 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 impacted
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

In TechYES, students create technology projects that are personally meaningful and challenging. Students are also involved as peer mentors, so that students are the driving force behind TechYES as both 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.

Independent evaluation supported these valuable outcomes for participating schools.

Fact Sheet

Download this Fact Sheet on the Generation YES California Verizon Technology Literacy project (PDF)

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