Welcome to: Parents “Speak Up” About Technology and 21 st Century Skills NSBA T+L Conference 2007 Nashville, TN October 17, 2007 Julie Evans

(c) Project Tomorrow Today’s Workshop Goals Learn about Speak Up Research Project and the 2006 Parent Data Findings Compare parent views with student and teacher views Understand how schools are leveraging parents’ ideas Discuss the value in your school or district Plan to participate in Speak Up 2007

(c) Project Tomorrow What is Speak Up? Annual national research project –Online surveys –Open for all K-12 schools –Schools/districts get their own data for planning and budgeting –Facilitated by Project Tomorrow, a national education nonprofit group Collect data ↔ Stimulate conversations –Students, Teachers, Parents and School Leaders Inform policies & programs –Analysis and reporting –Services: custom reports, consulting with schools, Speak Up Your Way! 5 years of strong national participation – since 2003: –795,000 K-12 students –48,000 teachers –15,000 parents –10,000 schools – all 50 states, DC + DOD schools

(c) Project Tomorrow Project Tomorrow (formerly known as NetDay) - a national education nonprofit organization Our strengths: Provide national leadership to improve education Incubate and replicate science, math & technology programs that engage K-12 students Leverage online tools, resources and events to build local capacities Conduct national research to inform and stimulate new discussions around education topics

“Technology has changed the way I deliver content to students and the products I expect back from students. The use of technology is more consistent with how the students interact with the world and with what will be expected of them in the future.” High School Science Teacher with 16+ years of teaching experience Daviess County, Kentucky

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up for Students, Teachers & Parents 2006 Participation Overview: 232,781 K-12 students, 21,272 teachers & 15,316 parents Students: Elementary (pre K-Gr 5) – 43% Middle School (Gr 6-8) – 35% High School (Gr 9-12) – 21% 50% Girls – 50% Boys Teachers: 80% - Classroom assignment 36% - 4 to 15 years experience 42% - have Masters’ Degree Parents:29% member of a PTA/PTO/Booster Club 13% volunteer school

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up for Students, Teachers & Parents 2006 Participation Overview: All 50 states, DC, Canada, Mexico & American DOD schools Top 10 states: TX, IL, CA, MD, AL, NC, FL, MA, VA, MI Top School District: Chicago Public Schools School demographics*: 2800 schools 96% public schools – 4% private schools Urban (1/3)Rural (1/3)Suburban (1/3) % of schools that are Title 1 eligible = 41% % of schools w/majority minority school population = 43% * NCES Common Core of Data 2003/2004

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up for Students, Teachers & Parents 2006 The survey question themes: Learning & Teaching with Technology 21 st Century Skills Communications, Connections & Self-Expression Math & Science Instruction Global Collaborations Competitiveness & Workforce Preparedness Designing Schools of the Future What can we learn from the parents’ point of view – and comparatively with student and teacher ideas?

What is the #1 thing that your school can do to make sure your child is well prepared to compete for jobs in the future and to be good citizens of the world?

What is the #1 thing that your school can do to make sure your child is well prepared to compete for jobs in the future and to be good citizens of the world? “Inspire a child to have a love for learning.” Mother of a Florida Virtual School Student

(c) Project Tomorrow Let’s talk about... Activities, Attitudes & Aspirations Disconnects & Differences Leverage Points for the Data

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up for Students, Teachers & Parents 2006 Preliminary key findings from the student data: Communications is #1 Online connected-ness creating new “friends” Online safety & privacy are not top student concerns Students say: “Make science & math relevant!” Youngest learners are very tech sophisticated Continued disconnect between students & adults

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up for Students, Teachers & Parents 2006 Key findings from the teacher data: Impact of technology – “teaching & instructional support” Time is still the #1 obstacle to using tech more in school (Not enough time for science either) Online safety & privacy are top concerns for student tech use Teachers embracing as key tool for parent communications Impact of professional development Majority don’t believe schools are doing a good job preparing kids for 21 st century

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up for Students, Teachers & Parents 2006 Key findings from the parent data: Satisfaction with school technology? Mixed results. Strong preferences for home-school connections Online safety & privacy concerns for student tech use Support students having cell school Value math & science for all students –Concerned about global job competition Surprising result regarding local schools and preparing kids for 21 st century jobs

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up 2006 – Parent Findings Three categories for findings: Technology for Learning Home-School Communications 21 st Century Skills & Jobs of the Future

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up 2006 – Parent Findings Parents and technology – what tools are they using? Use a computer weekly – 97% Use a cell phone weekly – 95% Use a digital camera – 66% Play video games – 25%

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up 2006 – Parent Findings Parents and technology – in a typical week... Use a computer – 97% Use a cell phone – 95% Use a digital camera – 66% Play video games – 25% Send an – 97% Visit school or district websites – 70% Visit news websites – 62% Send an instant message – 30% Visit a personal website (MySpace) – 13%

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up 2006 – Parent Findings Parents and technology – in a typical week... Use a computer – 97% Use a cell phone – 95% Use a digital camera – 66% Play video games – 25% Send an – 97% Visit school or district websites – 70% Visit news websites – 62% Send an instant message – 30% Visit a personal website (MySpace) – 13% 53% said they are average tech users

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up 2006 – Parent Findings Questions for thought & discussion: Are your students’ parents satisfied with technology at school? In what areas are they dissatisfied? How would they like their children to interact with technology at your school? What is the impact of their satisfaction level?

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up 2006 – Parent Findings Technology at my child’s school? “I am satisfied with...” Amount of technology available to students Internet safety and privacy of personal information

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up 2006 – Parent Findings Technology at my child’s school? “I am satisfied with...” Amount of technology available to students Internet safety and privacy of personal information “I am dissatisfied with...” Priority placed on tech use Technology integration into subject areas Amount of time spent using technology

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up 2006 – Parent Findings Technology at my child’s school? Parent question: What if you were on a tech committee, what would be a good investment to improve student achievement? What would your school’s parents say?

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up 2006 – Parent Findings Technology at my child’s school? What if you were on a tech committee, what would be a good investment to improve student achievement? 1.Computers in classrooms – 61% 2.Software to support academics – 60% 3.A useful school website – 60% 4.Advanced computer classes – 55% 5.Tools to help parents and teachers communicate – 51% 6.Online classes for students – 42%

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up 2006 – Parent Findings Online classes for students Why would you want your child to take an online class?

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up 2006 – Parent Findings Online classes for students Teacher’s View of Value: To get extra help in a subject Class not offered at the school Work at own pace For students who are out of school due to illness

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up 2006 – Parent Findings Online classes for students Student’s View of Value:

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up 2006 – Parent Findings Communications & cell phones “Students should be allowed to bring cell phones to school for emergencies and to connect with parents” Students: 82% - grades 6-12 Parents: 77% Teachers:56%

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up 2006 – Parent Findings Communications via Students: weekly – 77% or IM teacher – 25% Parents: weekly – 97% Want s from teachers Teachers: with parents – 64% with students – 28%

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up 2006 – Parent Findings How do your students’ parents want to hear about events, news, homework etc?  Flyers sent home  School/district website postings  s – to home addresses  s – to work addresses  Phone calls  School portal  Teacher’s blog updated daily  Information mailed home

(c) Project Tomorrow How do you want to hear from your child’s school?

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up 2006 – Parent Findings What information do parents want to access online? My child’s attendance, grades87% School calendar, news, reminders81% Homework assignments77% Teacher blog of daily or weekly lessons59% Bulletin board or link with teacher51% Resources to help parents 51% Powerpoints and materials from lessons49% Comparative test scores39%

(c) Project Tomorrow Concerns about Online Use

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up 2006 – Parent Findings What concerns you about your child’s future? –Getting into a good college (44%) –Having to compete with better educated global workers (37%) –Need more than college to get a good job (31%) –Too much time on testing (27%) –Not being able to afford a home (21%) –My child not doing as well as I did (18%)

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up 2006 – Parent Findings Do you think having a good understanding of math and science is important for your child’s future? Yes ? No ? Maybe ?

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up 2006 – Parent Findings Do you think having a good understanding of math and science is important for your child’s future? If interested in a job – 22% If my child likes the subjects – 11% For college plans – 29% To develop problem solving & critical thinking skills – 47% All students – YES – 55%

(c) Project Tomorrow st Century Skills: Which ones are most important? Critical thinking Problem solving Teamwork Global awareness Communications Financial literacy Independent learning Work ethic Creativity Technology skills

(c) Project Tomorrow st Century Skills: Which ones are most important? Critical thinking Problem solving Teamwork Global awareness Communications Financial literacy Independent learning Work ethic Creativity Technology skills To Students? To Parents? To Teachers?

(c) Project Tomorrow st Century Skills: Which ones are most important? Parents: #1 – Critical thinking #2 – Problem solving #3 – Work ethic

(c) Project Tomorrow st Century Skills: Which ones are most important? Parents: #1 – Critical thinking #2 – Problem solving #3 – Work ethic Teachers: #1 – Critical thinking #2 – Problem solving #3 – Technology skills

(c) Project Tomorrow st Century Skills: Which ones are most important? Parents: #1 – Critical thinking #2 – Problem solving #3 – Work ethic Teachers: #1 – Critical thinking #2 – Problem solving #3 – Technology skills Students: #1 Tied: Critical thinking & Technology skills

(c) Project Tomorrow From the parent, student & teacher data... How well is your school doing in preparing you/children/students to compete for the jobs and careers of the 21st century? Response “Yes” Students – 38% Parents – 48% Teachers – 47%

(c) Project Tomorrow From the parent, student & teacher data... How well is your school doing in preparing your children/students to compete for the jobs and careers of the 21st century? Response “Yes” Students – 38% Parents – 48% Teachers – 47% Over 50% of parents and teachers & 62% of high school students believe their schools are not doing a good job.

(c) Project Tomorrow Leveraging Parent Viewpoints How would you use this kind of data in your school, district or community? How would you define the value of the data? How can you gain access to this kind of information?

(c) Project Tomorrow Leveraging Parent Viewpoints How would you use this kind of data in your school, district or community? To develop stronger home-school connections

(c) Project Tomorrow Leveraging Parent Viewpoints How would you use this kind of data in your school, district or community? To develop stronger home-school connections To “testdrive” a parent tech advisory council

(c) Project Tomorrow Leveraging Parent Viewpoints How would you use this kind of data in your school, district or community? To develop stronger home-school connections To “testdrive” a parent tech advisory council To gain parent financial support

(c) Project Tomorrow Leveraging Parent Viewpoints How would you use this kind of data in your school, district or community? To develop stronger home-school connections To “testdrive” a parent tech advisory council To gain parent financial support To learn about tech use at home

(c) Project Tomorrow Leveraging Parent Viewpoints How would you use this kind of data in your school, district or community? To develop stronger home-school connections To “testdrive” a parent tech advisory council To gain parent financial support To learn about tech use at home As political cover/clout with legislators

(c) Project Tomorrow Leveraging Parent Viewpoints How would you use this kind of data in your school, district or community? To develop stronger home-school connections To “testdrive” a parent tech advisory council To gain parent financial support To learn about tech use at home As political cover/clout with legislators Input for new policies/programs

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up News Briefings & Conferences including podcast of the Congressional Briefing – visit New reports: Learning in the 21 st Century: A National Report of Online Learning (done in conjunction with Blackboard Inc.) How Students Want to Learn Science & Math (done in conjunction with PASCO scientific)

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up 2007 Online surveys for K-12 students, teachers, parents (in English & Spanish) and school leaders All US and Canadian schools can participate – activate your pre-registration at This year’s survey question themes: Learning & Teaching with Technology Web 2.0 in education 21 st Century Skills Science Instruction & Global Competitiveness Online Learning Emerging Technologies in the Classroom Designing the Ultimate School of the Future

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up 2007 Sponsors:

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up 2007 Champion Outreach Partners: National School Boards Association (NSBA) State Education Technology Directors’ Assocation (SETDA) Consortium on School Networking (CoSN) other nonprofit partners

(c) Project Tomorrow Speak Up 2007 Have a voice in national discussions Learn about the ideas of your own stakeholders How? Participating schools and districts get free online access to your own quantitative data – with national benchmark data Surveys open: October 15 – December 15

Julie Evans Chief Executive Officer Thank you for your participation today. It has been our pleasure to learn from you. We look forward to working with you in

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