Since June 1999, fifty Stevenson teachers have participated in the laptop pilot nicknamed PowerRangers. They began the pilot by participating in four hours of staff development regarding mobile computing. During the school year, they have participated in or led sixteen hours of technology staff development, participated in various pilots designed for mobile computing, attended monthly meetings, participated in the PowerRanger listserv, and in general have increased their use of technology. Has the pilot met its objectives as stated in the Technology Grant Proposal? I believe the data shows that the answer is yes.
Attached are three documents which supply the data to which I refer. The first is the Instructional Technology Grant Proposal with answers to each section of the proposal. I believe this document is self explanatory.
The second is the PowerRangers’ answers to the question, “In reviewing your responses to the assessment questions, cite one example from your classroom or professional practice that supports your answer for "adaptation" or "transformation" level in the "higher" range. In your example, indicate how this has been a direct result or benefit of using the laptop this year.” These answers reflect the variety of ways in which the teachers have grown in their use of technology.
The third document has two parts. First is the comparison of the scores of two groups, PowerRangers and non-PowerRangers, on an on-line assessment. The second is the assessment. The on-line assessment, Professional Competency Continuum, was developed by NCREL and the Milken Exchange, a part of the Family Foundation. The non-PowerRangers volunteered in response to an email from me. The Professional Competency Continuum is made up of twenty questions covering the areas of Core Technology Skills (CTS), Curriculum, Leaning and Assessment (CLA), Classroom and Instructional Management (CIM), and Professional Practice (PP). As the graphs indicate, the PowerRangers’ scores are above those of the non-PowerRangers in all areas.
It is my recommendation that the pilot be expanded by at least fifty for the 2000-2001 school year.
Submitted to the Adlai E. Stevenson Board of Education, June 2000