TeXcellence Training Days

TeXcellence Training Days are coordinated at individual schools on weekday evenings or Saturdays. The training sessions are provided to engage both the parents and students in the educational value of the computer in order to improve the home learning environment. TeXcellence provides computers to Sarasota County students and their families. We started by targeting fourth graders, and quickly moved to distributing computers to third and fifth graders as well. Large-scale distributions are being planned for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders in both north and south county schools.

TeXcellence works with schools to select students to participate in this program. Every student takes a technology survey to determine whether or not they have a computer at home. Students who do not have home access to a computer are then selected based on principal recommendation and family income level. Each student and their family receive:

A free computer system, including a monitor, a keyboard and mouse,speakers, and a flash drive. This computer becomes the family's to keep after they participate in a two-hour training.

Engaging educational software titles in math, English, social studies, reading, and writing. Through an affiliate organization, these titles have been identified by software experts and tested by students and education executives from school districts across the country.

A two-hour training where the student and family learn how to use their TeXcellence computer to strengthen core academic and technical skills. All families participating in the program must attend the training in order to take their new computer home.

Technical support from TeXcellence's staff is available for all program participants. Should technical difficulties arise, TeXcellence is committed to repairing or replacing hardware for up to one year after the training.