|
SUPTS. MEMO. NO. 29
February 12, 1999 |
| TO: | Division Superintendents |
| FROM: | Paul D. Stapleton Superintendent of Public Instruction |
| SUBJECT: | Report to the Commonwealth of Virginia: An Analysis of the Status of Education Technology Availability and Usage in the Public Schools of Virginia |
As detailed in Supt's Memo #124 dated September 4, 1998, the
Department of Education was asked by the General Assembly to
conduct a study of the availability and use of educational
technology in Virginia public schools. The Department contracted
with a consortium of the Milken Exchange, The North Central
Regional Laboratory, and SRI International to conduct the study
and make recommendations. With the assistance of school division
superintendents, technology coordinators, principals, and
teachers, the consortium gathered information in late
summer and early fall. This was done through surveys,
phone calls, and meetings of regional groups representing
all geographic areas, population centers, and levels of
affluence. This information was consolidated and
analyzed, and became the foundation for the findings and
recommendations contained in the enclosed final report.
The findings of this study will be of major importance in
Virginia and the nation because of the interest of
educators everywhere in the integration of educational
technology in K-12 schools. The degree of availability
and subsequent use of technology by teachers and students
are concerns to Virginia policy makers and legislators
considering funding options.
The Department of Education believes that the consortium
did excellent work on the final report that was submitted
on December 31, 1998. The methodology and findings were
comprehensive and the recommendations were well thought
out. It is our intent to use this study, which details
the current status of educational
technology in Virginia, as a foundation upon which to
chart future progress and as a guide for developing
future educational technology plans and initiatives.
I would like to thank each of you who provided assistance with
this endeavor. I trust that this report will also assist you
as you work to carry out the goals of your division technology
plan.
If you have any questions about the study, please contact Lan
W. Neugent, Assistant Superintendent of Technology at (804)
225-2757.
PDS/emt
Enclosure: A hard copy of this memo and its attach-
ment will be sent to the superintendent's
office.