Effect of Technology Integration on Middle School Math Proficiency: A Multiple Linear Regression Study

Mandates to improve curriculum and instruction and incorporate technology in teaching U.S. K-12 students have failed to improve math proficiency as measured by standardized assessments. Still, 40–60% need remedial coursework in college. Past efforts have focused on incorporating specific technologies. The SAMR approach redirects the effort to focus on how technology is used, aligning with Bloom’s taxonomy. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis was used to quantify the contribution of Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition to MAP Growth in math for 644 students taught by eight teachers across 36 class sections at a single Indiana middle school. A wide range in teacher use of technology corresponded to significant (p .05) differences in MAP Growth. Hierarchical multiple linear regression revealed that incorporation of SAMR elements above Substitution explained a small, 2.0%, yet significant (p = .001) part of variation in MAP Growth. At least Most Weeks use of Augmentation added 1.06 points (p = .008), Modification an additional 2.12 points (p = .002), and Redefinition an additional 1.19 points (p = .003) for a combined significant net 4.37-point increase. With all teachers from the same school and only some using technology at high learning levels, the findings led to a recommendation for investment in professional development training rather than focusing on adding specific technology tools.

Charter School Closure in Ohio’s Largest Urban Districts: The Effects of Management Organizations, Enrollment Characteristics and Community Demographics on Closure Risk

This study builds on previous research investigating management organizations (MOs), charter school locations, and closure by examining the effects of MO type (EMO, CMO and freestanding schools), racial enrollment, student achievement, and the community characteristics surrounding each charter school in Ohio’s eight largest counties with the largest urban school districts on the likelihood of closure between 2009 and 2018. We conducted a discrete-time survival analysis using life tables and binary logistic regression. Findings indicated that freestanding charter schools experience higher risks of closure than EMO and CMO managed charter schools in those counties. Although they are more likely to close, freestanding schools have higher student achievement in math and reading. Higher math proficiency reduces the likelihood of closure by 2.8%. However, community and enrollment characteristics are not statistically significant predictors of closure.

The Effects of School Reform under NCLB Waivers: Evidence from Focus Schools in Kentucky

Under waivers to the No Child Left Behind Act, the federal government required states to identify schools where targeted subgroups of students have the lowest achievement and to implement reforms in these “Focus Schools.” In this study, we examine the Focus School reforms in the state of Kentucky. The reforms in this state are uniquely interesting for several reasons. One is that the state developed unusually explicit guidance for Focus Schools centered on a comprehensive school-planning process. Second, the state identified Focus Schools using a “super subgroup” measure that combined traditionally low-performing subgroups into an umbrella group. This design feature may have catalyzed broader whole-school reforms and attenuated the incentives to target reform efforts narrowly. Using regression discontinuity designs, we find that these reforms led to substantial improvements in school performance, raising math proficiency rates by 17 percent and reading proficiency rates by 9 percent.