School budgets are tight and everyone is feeling the pinch.  Schools are faced with the challenge of finding ways to improve education while spending less.  In many cases, if schools invest and spend wisely, there are several ways to ensure that students are meeting and exceeding standards without breaking the bank.

 

After conducting extensive research on technology transformed schools, Project RED created and distributed a report of the findings.  The Technology Factor: Nine Keys to Student Achievement and Cost-Effectiveness not only details the potential benefits of using technology to improve education, it also provides several cost-effective strategies that schools can use to ensure that educators are properly implementing technology tools in the classroom and schools are optimizing their investments. 

 

The research conducted by Project RED indicates that when schools invest in technology, most of the money is spent on hardware, refresh cycles, professional development, and software.  With tight budgets, the growing trend is to invest in other areas of education and forgo spending on new technology.  However, research indicates that while schools may spend more in direct costs when investing in a computer for each student (1:1), they will save more indirectly.  The savings can be found in a variety of areas including but not limited to the following:

• Dropout and Graduation Rates:  Of the many cost variables researched, the costs associated with dropouts have the greatest financial impact.  The costs typically stem from failing and repeating courses prior to dropping out in the short term, as well the long term costs associated with tax revenue and the earnings of an individual who has not earned a diploma or a degree.  According to Project RED, 25% of students in the United States will not graduate.  A student who has earned a diploma will likely pay $166,000 to $353,000 more in taxes compared to a non-graduate.

• Online Assessments: Measuring a student's proficiency through assessments is an invaluable tool for educators.  However, the printing and time spent grading tests can be quite costly.  It is estimated that by reducing the materials used and time spent manually grading tests and implementing technology-based tests, schools can stand to save $44 per student per year.

• Disciplinary Actions:  Research indicates that in 1:1 technology schools, the need for disciplinary action decreases.  Disciplinary actions not only inhibit the learning process, but are also costly with regard to staffing.  Most schools with severe disciplinary issues tend to require additional security, thereby costing the school more to protect and educate students.  When disciplinary actions are reduced, schools can save up to $20 per student per year.

• Teacher Attendance: Research shows that in 1:1 schools, teachers are less likely to call in sick.  The indirect costs of finding and paying a substitute can add up.  Schools can save up to $718 million a year nationally, based on a 1% increase in teacher attendance.  This would save schools $13 per student per year as a result of investment in technology.

• Copy Machine Costs:  Schools spend a significant amount of their operating budget each year on the costs associated with copy machines.  It is estimated that a high school with 1500 students spends $100,000 annually on copies.  When technology is used to replace paper and copies, schools will save $2.2 billion nation-wide.  This is a savings of $40 per student per year.

While schools may be looking at the price tag of technology with hesitation, a school actually stands to save more by investing in technology tools.  All things considered, 1:1 technology schools can expect to see a net savings of $164 per student per year.  In a time when budgets are tight, every school can profit from the savings associated with implementing new technology tools in addition to the advantages schools will gain in improved learning and student engagement. 

 

The benefits of using technology in the classroom are endless and saving money is only one of them.  From improved test scores to a decrease in disciplinary action, technology is one of the key indicators of a quality education.  Properly implemented technology tools can lead to the following benefits:

• Reduction in dropout rates
• Improvement in high-stakes test scores
• Decreased need for disciplinary action
• Better attendance
• Enhanced student motivation and engagement

In order for schools in Colorado to experience the benefits of technology, a reliable high-speed connection is needed.  However, broadband connectivity alone cannot improve education.  To successfully execute new policies, it is critical that school leaders are supportive, ensure quality instruction, provide opportunities for professional development, and foster a school environment in which student achievement is well established.  Providing ongoing professional development for teachers is a determining factor in how successful new technology tools are in an educational setting.  Without it, many software programs and technological tools go underused, thereby discouraging student achievement and wasting valuable resources.

 

 

 

What is TLAP?

TLAP (Technology Literacy Assessment Program) is an online technology literacy assessment that has been developed as part of a Title 2D Grant, by numerous school districts and BOCES throughout the state of Colorado. TLAP addresses schools' need to comply with state and federal reporting requirements on assessing the technology literacy proficiency of 8th grade students. The TLAP assessment consists of 36 multiple-choice questions, 6 questions per ISTE standard. The average time for taking the assessment is 22 minutes. Students needing multiple class periods are able to log in as often as needed during their scheduled assessment window to complete the assessment.

 

Indiana Department of Education uses online tools to update schools on budget changes while lowering meeting costs. 

 

Learn how the Indiana Department of Education solved their issues around quickly disseminating information to large numbers across the state.  Additionally, their use of technology allowed them to increase training and development without increasing costs. 

 

Don Gilroy, director of the office of digital media at the Indiana Department of Education, "We have a responsibility to the public to use our funds as effectively as possible," he says. "We needed a web-based technology that would not only help us deliver information to school personnel more rapidly, but would also allow us to do it in a way that was much less expensive than meeting in person."

 

Learn more by:

• Listening to a Cisco WebEx customer podcast of an interview with Don Gilroy 
• Reading the customer case study