iPads for the Rucker Elementary Reading Program

Like most K-12 schools throughout Texas, Rucker
Elementary faces a growing problem in reading, writing
and testing. As many of its students speak English as a
second language, they struggle with standardized tests
in English and learning critical reading skills.
Solving this problem has proved to be difficult.
Textbooks have yet to be successful, and computers —
while engaging and effective — are far too costly and
cumbersome to be placed in every classroom.
That’s when Mrs. Bradshaw — the fourth grade English
teacher at Rucker Elementary — had a brilliant idea. If
reading and writing curriculum could be taught using the
iPad, a mobile technology that children in all grade levels
could grasp, then she could finally have a way to get
around the language barrier.
When PL Propylene learned of the issue, they jumped in
to help. Mrs. Bradshaw sat down with the PL Propylene
team last summer to determine how many iPads they
were interested in donating.
“We thought they were going to say one or two, maybe
five,” Bradshaw says. “We couldn’t believe it when they
said 20.”
Before PL Propylene could move forward with the purchase,
it had to be approved by the Houston ISD School
Board. In July, the school board approved a $14,500
donation to purchase the iPads plus the necessary
reading software and equipment. By December, Rucker

Elementary had 20 brand new iPads loaded with educational software and ready to go.

The donation also included a movable dock and charging
station for the iPads. With this system, any teacher is
able to check out the iPads for her students to use. The
teacher also has freedom on where to test students —
they are no longer restricted to a specific desk, table
or classroom.

“ The iPads are a motivator for
students. They’ll work really
hard so that they get to use the
iPad at the end of the day.”