Wisconsin K-12 Technology Use, Research, & Costs

Michelle Turner ManganTim Schell

Wisconsin Adequacy Task ForceApril 24, 2006

Overview

I. Context of technology in the school setting

II. $250 per pupil recommendation

III. Distance Education

IV. Virtual Schools

Context• Theoretical benefits of technology in the school setting

– Convenience & productivity– Interactivity– Personalization

• Support is key & included in current model– Professional development– Stable level of investment– Ongoing technical support & maintenance– Governance, leadership, & vision

• Current technology use in Wisconsin– 97% of K-12 WI classrooms with at least one computer online

$250 per pupil• Fiscal resources for educational technology

– Federal, State, & Local

• Allocating the $250 per pupil– Computers ($100)– Operating System, productivity and other non-

instructional software ($50)– Network equipment, printers, & copiers ($50)*– Instructional software & other hardware ($50)

*Telecommunications part of district-level costs

Computers

• Average Computer Purchase = $1,200– 3-year on-site warranty

• Replacement Cycle – Model: 4 years – Current Use in WI: 5.6 years!

• Student-to-Computer Ratio – Model: 3:1 – Current Use in WI: 2.8:1

Operating System, Productivity & Non-instructional Software

• Operating system (3 yrs) = $57

• Productivity Suite (3 yrs) = $55

• Server Software (3 yrs) = $1,500

• Database (3 yrs) = $150

• Antivirus & anti-spyware (annually) = $10

• Other Network = $17

Network Equipment, Printers, & Copiers

• Network Equipment ($26pp)– Annual replacements & service contract = $17

per pupil– Internet = $9 per pupil

• Printers ($18pp)– 4 year replacement cycle = $11 per pupil– Paper, ink, & toners = $7 per pupil

• Copiers ($6pp)

Instructional Software & Hardware• Hardware ($25pp)

• Instructional Software ($25pp)– I CAN Learn® Education Systems

• Research: Kirby, P. C. (2004). Comparison of I CAN Learn® and traditionally-taught 8th grade student performance on the Georgia Criterion-Referenced Competency Test. Unpublished manuscript.

• Cost: $300,000 one-time expense for a 30 workstation classroom. Over three years with 400 students, the cost calculates to $167 per pupil for the software.

– Renaissance LearningTM

• Research: Nunnery, J. A. (2006). A Randomized Experimental Evaluation of the Impact of Accelerated Reader/Reading Renaissance Implementation on Reading Achievement in Grades 3 to 6. Journal of Education for Students Placed At Risk, 11(1), 1-18.

• Costs: For 500 students, $4.39-$16.17 per student in start-up costs, with $1.54-$2.18 per student in follow-up years.

Technology Costs ExampleTechnology Costs Model

Arboretum Elementary

Computers (3-5 year replacement cycle)

100 136

Operating system, productivity and other non-

instructional software 50 63

Network equipment, printers, & copiers

50 26-33

Instructional software &

additional hardware 50 61

Telecommunications

(data line) n/a 18

Distance Education• Description

– Real-time video conferencing over a state managed network– Trend to incorporate other technologies to supplement video conferencing

(JEDI)• Current Use

– 20,000 K-12 students– 285 high schools in regional networks– Participation rates highest in small schools

• Research– Effectiveness (Learning Point Associates, 2005)– Wisconsin Distance Education Needs Assessment (WENCC, 2002)

• Costs– $7,000 Network membership & maintenance– $143-275 per student course fees– $3,000 State video service (post-discount)– Variable local supervision costs

Distance Education (cont’d.)

Science

Drivers Ed

Math

Vocational

English

Social Studies

World Language

content

Pies show counts

1.39% 1.39%

6.94%

18.06%

19.44%

20.83%

31.94%

Spring 2005 Distance Education Courses by Content

CESA 10 (Four Networks)

Distance Education (cont’d.)

Adv. Placement

High School

Technical College

University

type

Spring 2005 Distance Education Courses by Type

CESA 10 (Four Networks)

Pies show Sums of internet

13.89%

43.06%

26.39%

16.67%

Distance Education (cont’d.)

Drivers Ed

English

Math

Science

Social Studies

Vocational

World Language

Content Area

Bars show Sums

Drivers EdScience

MathVocational

Social StudiesWorld Language

English

Content

50

100

150

200

250

Net

wo

rk E

nro

llmen

t

12 1430 162 214 218 253

Students Enrolled by Content Area Spr. 2005

CESA 10 (Four Networks)

Virtual Schools• Current Use

– Approximately 5,000 WI students– 1/3 in virtual charter schools

• Research – Effectiveness (Learning Point Associates, 2005)– Costs (Colorado Study, 2004)

• Costs– Virtual charter schools report $6,000 per pupil– Service Providers charge $325 per pupil per semester

• 8 to 10 enrolled students needed for cost recovery

– Districts can purchase learning management service access for $1,100 annually plus a $9 per pupil cost.

Thank You

Michelle Turner Mangan

maturner3@wisc.edu

(608) 265-3523

Tim Schell

tschell@waunakee.k12.wi.us

(608) 849-2020