• Evaluating State Education Technology Programs
  The purpose of this program is to increase the capacity of States to design, conduct, and procure high-quality evaluations of educational technology. This competition supports grants to States to: (1) Build their capacity to conduct scientifically based evaluations of educational technology interventions, by planning and conducting an experimental or quasi-experimental evaluation of a State-selected educational technology initiative; and (2) widely disseminate pertinent information, based on what is learned about the evaluation methods, practices, analyses, and instruments used, that will help other States enhance their ability to conduct similar empirical evaluations

• National Study Regarding the Effectiveness of Educational Technology
  The No Child Left Behind Act calls for the U.S. Department of Education to carry out a national study of conditions and practices necessary for technology to be used effectively to improve teaching and learning. The legislation calls for the study to use rigorous scientifically based research methods to provide evidence of effectiveness.

  • Background Materials: PDF
  • Considerations for Designing the Study: PDF
  • Issues and Recommendations for the Study by Mathematica: PDF | Word
  • Evaluation Update: PDF | Word

• Technology in Schools. Suggestions, Tools and Guidelines for Assessing Technology in Elementary and Secondary Education (11-2002)
  This guide was written by the National Forum on Education Statistics under NCES's Cooperative Education Statistics System. Directed toward state and local education agencies, it describes how to measure technology use by examining planning and policies; finance; equipment and infrastructure; technology applications; maintenance and support; professional development; and technology integration.

• The What Works Clearinghouse
  The Clearinghouse will assess and report evidence with respect to what works in education in multiple topic areas. More specifically, it will provide easily accessible and searchable online databases that characterize the strength and nature of scientific evidence on the effectiveness of different educational programs, products, and practices (labeled interventions) claimed to enhance important student outcomes. Claims of effectiveness will be assessed with respect to the quantity, quality, and relevance of evidence, and the magnitude of effects, as determined through reviews of research. The Clearinghouse will also include a registry of evaluators who indicate their willingness to conduct evaluation studies that will meet high quality standards of scientific rigor as determined by the Clearinghouse.

Archived Information