Impact of Technology on Education

1. Impact of Technology on Education PUSD School Board January 17, 2006

2. Background Growing trend toward globalization Increasing importance of technology in society Students need to develop 21st century skills Students of today have grown up with digital technology

3. Technology in US schools Over $10 Billion spent since 1996 on educational technology Students to computer ratios: 1983: 125:1 2002: 4:1 Over 8 million computers in US schools 98% of schools have Internet access

4. Use of laptops in schools 12% of US schools have used laptops for instruction Growing trend toward 1:1 programs with 24/7 access Maine: laptops to all middle & some high schools Large programs in Virginia, Georgia & Texas

5. Current educational applications of technology Online blogs Voice over IP Interactive whiteboards E-books replacing textbooks iPods for vocab. Development Online reference tools Video clips Science probes Laptops to write, communicate & research Spreadsheets

6. Research results Limitations of research Need for evaluation & accountability for multi-billion dollar investments Direct impacts: increased test scores &/or grades Indirect impacts: PBL, collaborative learning, increased student engagement/motivation

7. Sample research findings 4th & 8th grade students using simulation & higher order thinking software showed increased math scores on 1998 NAEP Use of word processor had a positive impact on quantity & quality of student writing 5th grade students enrolled in Basic Skills/Computer Education earned higher reading, writing & math scores on Stanford 9

8. 1:1Laptop research results Microsoft's �Anytime, Anywhere� Project ('96-00): More collaborative work More writing & higher quality writing Improved research & analysis skills Direct own learning Readily engage in problem-solving & critical thinking skills

9. Laptop results (con't) 6 New Hampshire middle schools (2005) Teachers report: Greater student participation in class Higher levels of student motivation/engagement Increased ability to work in groups Increase in positive interaction with peers & teacher Improvement in quality of writing Slightly higher ability to retain content

10. PUSD's laptop immersion at Harvest Park Middle School Began as 6th grade pilot in 01/02, expanded to 7th & 8th 04/05 enrollment of 259 students No significant demographic variation with school population Study looked at student achievement variables for laptop vs. non-laptop students

11. Harvest Park Laptops (con't) Findings regarding laptop students at HP: Higher GPAs Higher grades in English & math Met or exceeded expectations on District Writing Assessment Scored at or above national average on language arts portion of CAT 6 Scored proficient or advanced on English & math portions of California STAR tests

12. Barriers to technology implementation in schools Funding � infrastructure & maintenance Need for substantial professional development Integration with curriculum & overall educational goals Potential for student misuse Lack of standards for technological literacy Teacher attitudes Accountability measures: beyond test scores

13. Summary Evidence supports positive relation between use of technology & student achievement Direct & indirect impacts Provision of laptops appears promising Need for clear plan; adequate funding; sufficient professional development & ongoing support; broader based evaluations.

14. Impacts of Class Size Reduction PUSD School Board January 17, 2006

15. Background CSR: reducing # students in a classroom assigned to 1 teacher Education reform that is publically & politically popular One of the most studied education reforms - >1,100 studies in past 20 years

16. Tennessee STAR project Largest & most enduring study of CSR Longitudinal study of 7,000 students in 70 schools over a 4-year period: '85-'89 Applied to K-3rd grade classes Small: 13-17; Regular: 22-25; Regular & aide Follow-up studies as these students progressed through K-12 schooling

17. Tennessee STAR results Outperformed peers in all achievement categories Especially true for minority students Strongest gains for those who entered in K & stayed in program for 4 years Enduring benefits to program shown through middle & high school grades, test scores, graduation rates & college entrance

18. Wisconsin SAGE Project K-3 classes of 15:1 beginning in 1986 Phased in over 3 years with priority to schools serving low income students Largest impact on math test scores + impact on reading/language arts scores Greatest impact was for African-American students Gains in achievement persisted for up to 6 yrs

19. California's CSR Class sizes K-3 from 29 to 19 $4.1 billion: $3.3 operations; $0.8 facilities Implemented quickly: lack of qualified teachers and available classrooms No testing of students until end of 2nd grade Modest gains in student achievement were identified

20. Additional benefits of CSR Higher teacher morale Less time on classroom management Greater enthusiasm for school & participation Higher attendance levels Creating more responsible, productive citizens

21. Why does CSR work? Focus on instruction More individualized attention Teachers gets to know each student Wider range of learning activities (e.g. PBL, hands-on) More positive classroom environment Greater student engagement/participation Greater parent involvement

22. Challenges of CSR implementation Availability of qualified teachers Availability of facilities Debate regarding role of professional development in success of CSR Not a quick fix for poor levels of student achievement

23. Financial considerations of CSR One of the costliest education reforms Reduce cost through shifting teacher specialists to classrooms & reducing aides Added benefits of CSR may reduce overall costs in long-run due to teacher retention; reduced special ed referrals; safer schools; reduced need for remediation; & reduced drop out rates

24. CSR in higher grade levels Less evidence due to fewer # studies LAUSD: 20 in 8th grade English & ELD 4th & 8th NAEP math scores with class sizes of 20 No clear link between smaller class size at middle & high school with gains in student achievement

25. Conclusions Positive relation between class size & student achievement at K-3 levels, especially for disadvantaged students Debate re: optimum size: 15, 17, 20 Enhanced with rigorous curriculum & qualified, well-trained teachers No conclusions re: CSR at higher grades