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The evaluation of information technology plan implementation in Rhode Island public schools
Abstract
Since the current school reform movement began in the early 1980s, the use of information technology (IT) has been widely recommended to improve teaching and learning. As the use of technology increases, school districts are required to develop IT plans in order to receive funding from state and federal governments. (Cradler, 1996). Ironically, with the increased use of IT, there is little evidence that most school districts carry out any IT program evaluation to determine the effectiveness and quality of their practices. The purpose of this qualitative study was to determine the extent to which Rhode Island school districts evaluate the implementation of their district IT plans. The researcher employed descriptive statistics to gather data from various school districts. The triangulation of the data (surveys, interviews, and IT plan documents) provided a preponderance of evidence regarding the essential properties of an effective IT plan implementation program. The four properties that emerged from this study were: (a) technology planning and implementation, (b) evaluation of the technology plans, (c) utilization of the evaluation information and (d) impediments to conducting evaluation. This study demonstrates the importance of evaluating the implementation of IT plans and of using the information to support decisions about improving the uses of technology. A major implication is that districts will need to fully address all four properties of an effective IT plan to be successful in creating or improving their school district technology programs.
Subject Area
Educational software|Elementary education|Secondary education|School administration
Recommended Citation
Kpangbai, Mator M. F, "The evaluation of information technology plan implementation in Rhode Island public schools" (2002). Dissertation & Theses Collection. AAI3042726.
https://scholarsarchive.jwu.edu/dissertations/AAI3042726