LARSON ANNOUNCES $400,000 FEDERAL TECHNOLOGY GRANT FOR HARTFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 2, 2003LARSON ANNOUNCES $400,000 FEDERAL TECHNOLOGY GRANT FOR HARTFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY
HARTFORD- U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) today announced that the U.S. Department of Education has awarded a $398,092 technology grant to the Hartford Public Library. The funding was awarded under the department's Community Technology Centers Program, which provides funding to improve learning outcomes for disadvantaged adults and children in urban and rural communities through technology.
The grant will be used to help 150 low-achieving students from Hartford's Weaver high school improve academically and increase their test scores on the statewide CAPT tests required for graduation. The library will reach out to incoming freshmen at Weaver through services and programs designed to increase understanding of technology.
"This is a terrific grant program that works to assist at-risk or under-performing students through technology," said Larson. "A gap exists in America between those who have access to the benefits of technology, and those who do not, and I am pleased this grant will help bridge that gap for a number of young people in Hartford."
The Hartford Public Library, working collaboratively with the Hartford Public Schools, "Yo! Hartford" and the Village for Families and Children, will offer a unique learning program, COLT (Capitol Opportunity through Technology.) COLT will serve 150 low-achieving youth with Community Technology Center program funding.
Students will utilize educational technology to research the social and economic history of Colt Arms Manufacturing Company and Coltsville. Students will also use a broad range of state-of-the-art communications technology to share their knowledge with peers, decision makers and the greater community. The project intends to improve academic outcomes for students, increase understanding of technology as an adjunct to academic disciplines and create a leveraged learning model for working with at-risk youth.
"We're thrilled to get this grant," said Chief Librarian Louise Blalock, "it's an extraordinary opportunity to connect students to one of our city's earliest and most recognizable historic sites. This project is particularly timely as we anticipate the designation of Coltsville as a National Historic Park."
In July, Larson wrote a letter to Ms. Carol D'Amico, the Assistant Secretary for Vocational and Adult training at the U.S. Department of Education, urging that the grant be awarded to Hartford Public Library.
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