A national program that puts technology into the hands of students, appears to be working.
One year after Amazon and the National PTA teamed up to bring free Kindles into the classrooms of low-income districts, teachers are calling the program a success.
"Kids when they see a device, any kind of digital device, they automatically play games and they get on the Internet and things like that, and this is a way for kids to see, oh, they're also for reading books," said Colleen Charlton, a librarian who oversees the program at KCK's Frances Willard Elementary School.
All of the Kindles went to schools where at least 40 percent of enrolled students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. The Kindles allow teachers to improve literacy by emphasizing reading in a way many of the students' parents likely can't afford.
"I give thanks to them because they help a lot of children read, and they're really cool," said student Amy Molina.
Later this year, the PTA & Amazon program will donate another 2,000 Kindles to schools across the country. Schools can apply here.
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Justin Wilfon can be reached at justin.wilfon@kshb.com.
