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Submitted by:
Ethel Edwards, Director of Curriculum & Instruction
Topeka Public Schools
Topeka, Kansas
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| "When our mathematics department completed TI technology training last spring, one of our middle school teachers posed an important question: 'Wouldn't it be great if we could have our students use graphing calculators?' With everyone in agreement, we began to develop a way to help our students purchase graphing calculators of their own to use in class and at home as well.
As a result of our discussions, we developed our Graphing Calculator Purchase Agreement. We supplied a classroom set for our 8th grade mathematics teachers and students to begin using. Throughout the year, each student paid $16 on the 16th of every month from September through April. We gave them an option at any time during the year to withdraw from the agreement with no penalty and a full refund. On the last day of school, each student received his or her graphing calculator to keep.
From the beginning, students and parents eagerly took advantage of this plan, especially at enrollment. A number of parents, in fact, expressed the wish that their child's older brother or sister had been given the same opportunity when they were in middle school math class.
Our goal was to help parents and students purchase a TI-84 Plus Silver Edition without having to pay for it in full up front. In all, 30 students took advantage of the plan this year. Our goal was realized with enough students to continue the program next year. Of the 30 students who used the plan, moreover, four were from the high school level. These students heard about the program and wanted to be part of it.
One of our administrators said that if we helped only one student purchase a graphing calculator, the plan was worth it. In the end, we helped far more than just one student."
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| With a career as an educator spanning 30 years, Ethel Edwards is the Director of Curriculum & Instruction for Topeka Public Schools.
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