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Goal

The goal of this project is to give approximately 180 students in grades 8–12 equal access to the calculators they need for math instruction. Currently, only about 20% of students have their own calculator, placing many students at a disadvantage based on their family’s ability to purchase one.
This project supports the school improvement priority of increasing math achievement and preparing students for advanced coursework and postsecondary success. The current average across mathematics courses in grades 8–12 is 80%. By the end of the 2026–27 school year, the goal is to increase that average to at least 85% by removing barriers to calculator access and giving students the tools needed to participate fully in daily instruction, practice, and assessments.
Students will regularly use the same type of state-allowed calculator that they can use on the FAST mathematics assessment. This consistent practice will build confidence and familiarity with calculator functions while reducing students’ dependence on an unfamiliar on-screen tool. The classroom sets will also ensure that every student has access to an appropriate handheld calculator during daily instruction and FAST testing, supporting greater proficiency and more equitable opportunities for success. Access to the appropriate calculators will help students succeed in advanced mathematics courses and prepare them for college-level math.
 

 

Category

Electronics - WCSD Approved Electronics 

 

What will be done with my students

The mathematics department will purchase and organize calculator sets for use across four classrooms. Approximately 180 students will use the calculators during the 2026–27 school year in courses including seventh- and eighth-grade mathematics, Algebra 1, Geometry, Mathematics for Data and Financial Literacy, pre-calculus, and calculus. Calculators approved for the FAST mathematics assessment will be used in state-tested courses, while advanced scientific calculators will support the more complex calculations required in upper-level courses.
Once the calculators are received, teachers will label, organize, and place them in classrooms for immediate student use. Students will use them during daily lessons, guided practice, independent problem-solving, classroom assessments, and state-test preparation. Teachers will provide direct instruction and modeling so students learn to select the correct calculator functions and use them accurately and efficiently. Students in Algebra 2, Mathematics for Data and Financial Literacy, pre-calculus, and calculus will use graphing calculators to solve complex equations, work with formulas, analyze graphs, and complete other advanced calculations required in these courses.
During the fall and winter, teachers will monitor calculator use and student performance through classroom assignments, assessments, and progress-monitoring data. Students in state-tested courses will receive regular practice using the same type of calculator available to them on the FAST mathematics assessment. By April 2027, teachers will compare student performance with beginning-of-year data and review classroom and applicable FAST progress-monitoring results to evaluate the project’s effectiveness during the 2026–27 school year. 

 

Benefits to my Students

Currently, only about 20% of the students served have their own calculator. This creates an uneven learning environment in which some students have immediate access to an essential math tool while others must share limited supplies or rely on an on-screen calculator. This project will remove that barrier by providing reusable classroom sets of calculators in four mathematics classrooms so that every student has access to the appropriate tool during instruction.
Consistent access will allow students to focus on learning mathematical concepts and solving problems instead of finding or sharing equipment. Students in state-tested courses will gain daily experience with a calculator allowed on the FAST mathematics assessment, helping them become more confident and efficient before testing. Students in advanced courses will have access to the scientific calculators needed to complete more complex work in pre-calculus, calculus, and other upper-level courses.
Graphing calculators are essential tools in Algebra 2, Mathematics for Data and Financial Literacy, pre-calculus, and calculus. Students in these courses must work with complex formulas, graphs, and calculations that cannot be completed efficiently with a basic calculator. Regular access to graphing calculators will help students succeed in advanced mathematics and prepare for college-level math courses.
These calculators can also be used on certain college entrance examinations, including the ACT and SAT. Providing classroom sets will allow students who cannot afford their own calculator to become familiar with the technology before taking these exams. This removes a financial barrier and gives all students a more equal opportunity to prepare for high school, college entrance testing, and postsecondary coursework.
Approximately 180 students will benefit during the 2026–27 school year, and an estimated 200 students will benefit each following year as the classroom sets are reused. Project success will be measured by comparing the current mathematics course average of 80% with the end-of-year goal of at least 85%. Teachers will also review classroom assessments, student progress-monitoring data, and applicable FAST mathematics results. Calculator use will be monitored throughout the year to determine whether consistent access supports improved student confidence, participation, and mathematics achievement. 

 

Budget Narrative

This $2,000 grant will provide calculators for approximately 180 students in grades 8–12. The project will purchase 110 Texas Instruments TI-30Xa calculators for use in mathematics courses including seventh- and eighth-grade mathematics, Algebra 1, and Geometry. These calculators will give students consistent access to the same type of handheld calculator during daily instruction, problem-solving activities, classroom assessments, and state-test preparation.
The grant will also purchase seven Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE graphing calculators for students in advanced courses, including Algebra 2, Mathematics for Data and Financial Literacy, pre-calculus, and calculus. These courses require students to work with complex formulas, graphs, and calculations that cannot be completed efficiently with a basic calculator. Access to graphing calculators will help students succeed in advanced mathematics and prepare for college-level coursework.
An electric engraving tool will be purchased to assign a permanent identification number to each calculator. Numbering the calculators will help teachers organize the classroom sets, track student use, encourage accountability, and reduce the likelihood of calculators being lost. This small investment will help protect nearly the entire grant purchase so the calculators can serve students for many years.
All calculators will be organized into reusable classroom sets, removing the financial burden from students who cannot afford to purchase their own. Together, these supplies directly support the project’s goal of improving math confidence, proficiency, and readiness for state assessments, advanced coursework, college entrance testing, and postsecondary education. The calculator models will be reviewed for compliance with applicable district purchasing and technology requirements before purchase. 

 

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