The Rural Technology and Information Project (R-TIP) was designed to enhance the educational achievement of low-income students in a rural school setting by using technology to link students, teachers, parents and the community together to create a total learning environment. R-TIP benefits families and students, helps increase educational achievement and is a national model for bilingual technology training and access. The Rural Technology and Information Project bridges the "digital divide" by providing computer training, continued support, ongoing referrals and computers to low-income and limited English speaking communities.
 

Latino Issues Forum (LIF) first incubated this technology model in San Francisco’s urban community under the name Signature Learning Project (SLP). SLP was implemented at Fairmont Elementary School, which is based in a low-income community whose student population is primarily Latino and African American. LIF selected Fairmont Elementary School to pilot the project because of the challenges the school faced in being able to use technology and training to enhance educational achievement for its students. The school students were experiencing low-test scores.

Teachers are trained to integrate computers into their lessons. The model empowers/teaches parents to use and experience the value of technology in the education of their children and increase communication with the school. Furthermore, parents are able to learn computer skills for better employment opportunities. Training in Spanish and English are given in the lab at Alianza Charter School. This is facilitated by: developing applicable and useful curriculum in multiple languages; placing a computer, printer, modem, printer and Interment access in each of the families homes; and, using e-mail and a community Internet site to foster communication between parents and teachers, and schools and the community.

By establishing learning centers at already established community based organizations, families are given ready access to employment counseling, continued education, literacy classes, ESL, citizenship classes and emergency services. Finally, a strong technical assistance and Information and Referral component was developed for the teachers and families.