Has tech paid off in our public schools?

Posted 10/2/19

Lexington County schools have invested millions of dollars in technology.

Yet parents, taxpayers and public officials are raising questions about the money spent on personal technology in public …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Subscribe to continue reading. Already a subscriber? Sign in

Get 50% of all subscriptions for a limited time. Subscribe today.

You can cancel anytime.
 

Please log in to continue

Log in

Has tech paid off in our public schools?

Posted

Lexington County schools have invested millions of dollars in technology.
Yet parents, taxpayers and public officials are raising questions about the money spent on personal technology in public schools.
A Rand study critical of results is gaining attention.
The Chronicle asked officials of the county’s 5 school districts:
• How much money they invested in laptops and other personal student technology in the last 5 years?
• What measurable results in test scores or other performance factors resulted from that investment?
• What future personal technology do they plan to invest in with what expectations for results in learning?
4 districts answered about their investments. District 1 did not respond to email requests for information.
District 5 in Chapin and Irmo has invested more than $3.2 million in technology for students since 2015.
Measuring results is difficult, Laura McElveen said.
“We have top assessment scores, but this can be attributed to a variety of educational tools and strategies.Technology is one tool.”
About future technology, she said, “It’s difficult to plan for devices that may not now exist. We watch trends and choose devices that fit the instructional needs of our students.”
Batesburg-Leesville’s District 3 invested a $600,000 SC Education Department grant for Chromebooks for grades 6 to 12 in 2016.
Since then, they added $300,000 in devices for grades 1 to 5, said Mackenzie Taylor of the district.
District 4 in Gaston and Swansea invested $1 million in Chromebooks, said the district’s Lisa Ingram.
Dawn Kujawa in District 2 in Cayce and West Columbia said technology is not a quick fix for test scores.
“Knowing how to use a tablet, laptop, desktop or a Chromebook is a skill in itself,” she said. “We expect technology to continue to play a role in instruction.”
The Batesburg-Leesville district tracks progress toward goals through surveys and observation, Taylor said.
The district is replacing technology in Kindergarten to 12th grade and adding virtual reality tools at the middle and high schools.
Ingram said District 4 students need technology to develop 21st century skills.
She said the district will continue to rotate Chromebooks to support learning and state assessments.

tech, public schools

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here