The Technology-Rich Authentic Learning Environments (TRALE) program was designed to develop for young, urban learners a responsive and effective instructional program in which technology played a vital part in the completion of rd meaningful, problem-based tasks. TRALE was implemented in early childhood classrooms (i.e., K-3rd grade) as a technology-rich learning community where participating classrooms used technology to achieve a role they assumed in a community (e.g., general store, newsroom), and students in these classrooms learned knowledge and acquired skills prescribed by particular content standards and the curriculum of the school district. This paper focuses on how technology-based tools were used for enhancing students' literacy acquisition. Student achievement data indicate that when implemented as designed, TRALE significantly improved the standardized reading test scores of 2nd and 3rd graders.