This study did examine socioeconomic groups but did not include the examination of ethnic groups. It was not a random sample but rather a self-selected sample. Wouldn't it make sense for the district to gain knowledge on how our population reacts and is impacted since the Southwest was not included in the study and much of our population is not reflected in the East and South East where the study was done?
This is an interesting point. I hope the District looks into this.
I agree, I would like to see some data that more closely represents our demographics..
I am sure this is something the district will look at now that we have implemented a one-to-one program. We will have data to address this issue
You would think, it makes sense. Some how the fact that the ethnic make up community is hardly mentioned, leaves me with some unanswered questions.
This is an interesting point. There is lots of research on Mexican American students and school engagement. I wonder if that same question with a an emphasis on the impact of technology would create any new insights on how to best serve our kids
This sounds like a fantastic dissertation topic since we are all directly involved with the process... thank you Kristi Hamblen! I agree with what everyone has posted so far, it will be interesting to see how and if the district addresses this.
That is a great observation! I think our district needs to do that as we embark on this journey. I hope Project RED decides to do a student on this topic. It would help many school districts.
I think that the study is a great place to start moving forward. The information is complelling and encouraging to the the financial impacts that technology will make. As far as our population ethnically I feel that we should look at the impact that this will make because it can affect the resistance that some families could have to embracing this change. If there is a study out there to look at. Other districts such as Vail who have similar ethnic populations would be a good place to start and how this has impacted these families. I hope that we do not lose momentum because of fear of the impact. If we move to slowly we could miss the boat.
Another area that the study did not directly address was socioeconomic factors. Given that our district is a Title I district and low SES there may some other implications that we need to consider.
Yes, I think we need to look at our SES makeup of our district.
It is exciting to think that because SUSD is "leading the way" reagarding 1:1 computing in the Soutwest, we'll probably be the authors of such a study! You have a very valid point about our area not being included, and the Southwest is just as different as the other regions that were included. We need to be represented!
Another great reason for Sunnyside to move forward in the 1-1 initiative. We just might be the for runners of data that will be looked at for years to come as other districts like ours implement digital technology in instruction.
Our district should include an examination of ethnic groups. It would be like adding appendix D to Project RED. It would make sense for Sunnyside to gain knowledge of how our population reacts and is impacted. I know 1:1 is having a huge impact on our community so far, and I can't wait to see the impact in the future.
This is a great point. In one or two of the reivew questions I did mention our district population and ELL students and how I think 1:1 computing will help. However they were just predictions and outcome I would like to see. But you guys are right, I think our district should begin to keep track of as much data as possible and look specifically at our ethnic groups and socio-economic status in our community.
I am very anxious and happy to be part of the Sunnyside community. All your posts are so positive and hopeful about he outcomes of this initiiative. I can't wait to see more positive results in data, data, and more data.
Kristi brings out some great points. As I was reading through the project's information and how it broke down all the data, I kept wondering why there was so little on the west or southwest areas of the U.S. Surely, there are districts similar to the schools reporting and to our district (California) that could participate in this information.
As a district in the southwest (or west), we can contribute a great deal to the information in this report. We have great demographics to enhance any report/dissertation.
Our demographic is unique and accounts for much of our success with this initiative. I would also like to see how district plans to compare our data to Project RED and what the findings will be.
I think in any kind of research you look at multiple reports from multiple sources. I think Project Red is just one of the research models out there that can be used to measure success. Taking those reports and comparing results and demographics is just one step torward success.
Are we the first district in the southwest to embark on this venture? If we are, then it's awesome to be part of this. I just hope that we get all the trainings we need to be successful as we embark on this journey. I'm excited and concerned.
This is a very interesting point, it mention a lot about social classes and different regions of the country but it did not mentioned race and all the different things that arise with it, including how us being so diverse could differ from all the different schools around the country. This should not be forgotten.
Ethnic groups would have been interesting, though, economic status seems to be a more robust variable in many studies. The Claritas clustering of data did not take race into consideration directly but the data is based on Census information which may not have been updated to the latest results given when the study took place.
The study does reference the West which make take AZ in to account given the references to the Vail School District. Self-reporting data is certainly a concern given that only frequencies are reported given the small sample size.
This does present an opportunity for SUSD to devise an instrument that may measure results more accurately incorporating additional variables. Do you know if SUSD participated in the survey?
Would it make a difference? If you built it, he will come I sure this endeavor will make us the subject of research. Bring it on is what I say!
Although the southwest was not a category, Arizona and other southwestern states were included in this research study. The researchers chose to group the southwest into the category of "west", which including states from the northwest and southwest. So it would be nice to see a more region specific study, but I do feel that they took into account data from our region. Yet, even though there is data from our area, I would hope that our district continues to do more research on our efforts in moving to a one-to-one system. I also think, though, that our efforts will add to the research base since not to many districts are implementing one-to-one computing like this at this time.
Great observation, I would be interested to see the data for our region.
Besides socioeconomic groups and location, how successful will this be with parents who do not speak English?
Great Point Jasmine,
This is something Im fearful of already and im hoping that our district is able to provide All parents some sort of training on the new year were about to embark. Many of our Non- Spanish speaking parents may also not know how to work a computer, much less the internet. I say this only because i have heard some of our parents express this before. I hear many parents say that they cannot help their child because they do not speak the language and so this is another factor that needs looking more into. I think it would be great to provide training for parents at schools on how to help their own children at home. We could train parents on using Moodle, or other online collaborative sites such as DIING, Wikis, etc. This would reinforce what students are expected to do at school and home. Parents would be another facilitator or source of support.
You are right, not only that fact that parent might not be able to navigate in this type of system, but the language. Will many of the training be offer in Spanish and will many of this sites be available in Spanish. For class web pages teachers can make that possible but for school sites it could be something we need to think of and change.
This is a great question and one that has been on my mind ever since we started reading about Project Red. Perhaps we will become someone's research?
Great point, Kristi! Although the study does examine the effect of 1:1 programs on schools with high or very high minority percentages, specific ethnic groups are not mentioned, and the Southwest is not included anywhere in the study. I would be very interested in seeing how our population of students is impacted over the coming years.
As I mentioned in my last post for Appendix A, I am starting to feel like we are forging new ground here and we could collect our own data of ethnicity. Once again I wonder if we are the only ones out there like us doing what we are doing. I know we are a unique district no matter what, but interesting to note that we dont completely see ourselves in any of the data. I see a consulting future for the district.
I LOVE the feeling that our District is leading the charge, even with all the burdens of being first! Despite the challenges, our students deserve the best chance for success that we can give them. And yes, we may be the ones providing the shining example for our community and student population - good work!