Make the Case to the School Board

School boards have a major role in setting the priorities of a school district, determining how funds are allocated, and providing direction for the practices of administrators and teachers. School board members are often community leaders who are influential in the business, policy, and social sectors. If you can persude a school board to set educational technology as a high priority within a district, administrators, teachers, parents, and the greater community are likely to follow. Use the tools below to make a strong case for educational technology to this important audience.

NOTE: Where indicated, resource files are in PDF format (view PDF instructions).

Starter Kits

Use this collection of targeted strategies, nuggets of research data, and talking points to make the case to the school boards.

Tools for Making the Case to School Boards

(PDF, 134 KB, 21 seconds)
If you can convince a school board to set educational technology as a top priority, administrators, teachers, parents, and the greater community are likely to follow with their support. Use this starter kit to garner school board support for educational technology.

Use these research reports, articles, presentations, video case studies, and resource links to make the case for educational technology.

2004 Leadership Symposium Onsite PowerPoint Presentation

(PDF, 277 KB, 44 seconds)
This PowerPoint presentation outlines the charge of the day from the 2004 ISTE Leadership Symposium at NECC.

A Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Teaching and Learning with Technology on Student Outcomes

http://www.ncrel.org/tech/effects2/
A Learning Point Associates report describes a quantitative analysis of the effects of teaching and learning with technology The study shows that teaching and learning with technology had a statistically significant positive effect on student learning.

A Vision of E-Learning for America’s Workforce

(PDF, 810 KB, 2 minutes 6 seconds)
In this George Lucas Educational Foundation (GLEF) article, the Commission on Technology and Adult Learning recommends that U.S. governors and CEOs recognize the benefits of e-learning, and promote e-learning for the success of both workers and companies in the new digital economy of the 21st century.
Copyright © 2001, ASTD (American Society of Training Directors) and NGA (National Governors Association). Used with permission.

Center for Applied Research in Education Technology (CARET)

http://caret.iste.org/
CARET bridges education technology research to practice by offering research-based answers to critical questions. Browse Questions & Answers to learn what studies show about topics such as student learning, curriculum and instruction, and professional development.

Computer Use by Teachers: Are Cuban’s Predictions Correct?

(PDF, 147 KB, 23 seconds)
Countering the argument that computers will not play a significant role in teachers’ instructional practices, Henry Jay Becker of California State University, Irvine, explains that when essential conditions are met, technology is a significant tool for improving teaching and learning.
Copyright © 2000, Originally published in Educational Policy Analysis Archives, Vol. 8 No. 51: http://epaa.asu.edu/epaa/v8n51/. Used with permission.

eMINTS Policy Brief-2001

(PDF, 228 KB, 36 seconds)
This policy brief examines the effects of the eMINTS program, a Missouri program that focuses on creating student-centered, inquiry based instructional practices using a wide-range of multimedia and computer technology into 3rd-5th grade classrooms. Students in eMINTS classrooms scored significantly higher than their non-eMINTS counterparts on key indicators.
Copyright © 2001, eMINTS, http://www.emints.org/. Used with permission.

eMINTS Policy Brief-2002

(PDF, 262 KB, 41 seconds)
This policy brief examines the effects of the eMINTS program, a Missouri program focused on creating student-centered, inquiry based instructional practices using a wide-range of multimedia and computer technology in 3rd-5th grade classrooms. Students in eMINTS classrooms scored significantly higher than their non-eMINTS counterparts on key indicators.
Copyright © 2002, eMINTS, http://www.emints.org/. Used with permission.

eMINTS Policy Brief-2003

(PDF, 346 KB, 54 seconds)
This policy brief examines the effects of the eMINTS program, a Missouri program focused on creating student-centered, inquiry based instructional practices using a wide-range of multimedia and computer technology in 3rd-5th grade classrooms. Students in eMINTS classrooms scored significantly higher than their non-eMINTS counterparts on key indicators.
Copyright © 2003, eMINTS, http://www.emints.org/. Used with permission.

Five School Districts' Experiences Financing Technology Programs

(PDF, 364 KB, 57 seconds)
This article reports testimony given before a task force on education in the United States Senate. It explains how five districts made funding decisions about educational technology, and describes their processes for goal-setting, identifying and overcoming barriers, and planning for sustainability.

Highlights from NetDay’s National Report on Speak Up Day 2003

http://www.netday.org/speakupday2003_report.htm
This summary report highlights major findings from NetDay’s Speak Up Day 2003, where 210,000 K-12 students submitted surveys on technology and education. Analysis shows that today’s students feel strongly about the value of technology, and rely on technology as an essential and preferred component of every aspect of their lives.

Making the Case for Making the Case (PDF)

Practical Guide to Promoting America’s Public Schools

http://www.learningfirst.org/lfa-web/rp?pa=doc&docId=72
Prepared by the Learning First Alliance, a permanent partnership of 12 leading U.S. education associations, this advocacy resource is intended to assist educators and others interested in education to promote the value of public education to our nation.
(Requires free registration)

SETDA’s National Leadership Institute Toolkit

(PDF, 408 KB, 1 minute 4 seconds)
This State Education Technology Director's Association (SETDA) Toolkit includes a range of materials and resources on five themes to assist state leaders, administrators, and educators improve learning for all students through the use of technology.
Copyright © 2004, State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA); http://www.setda.org/. Used with permission.

The Digital Superintendent

(PDF, 22 KB, 4 seconds)
A descriptive article from The George Lucas Educational Foundation (GLEF) shows how one superintendent sold his vision of technology in education to parents, teachers and voters in his district.
Copyright © 2004 The George Lucas Educational Foundation, all rights reserved. Printed with permission. http://www.glef.org

United Learning – Research Finding that Video Streaming Improved Achievement in VA

(PDF, 214 KB, 34 seconds)
This quantitative study analyzes the effect of using standards-based science and social studies video content on student learning. Researchers found significant gains in student performance when video technology was used.

More Information

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