By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
New research suggests the one-to-one technology program at USD 489 is having a positive impact on education in the district.
During the USD 489 Board of Education meeting Monday, the board heard the results of a study by Cheryl Shepherd-Adams, Hays High science teacher.
Shepherd-Adams spoke to the board about the district’s one-to-one policy at Hays High, telling the board that previous research generally showed mixed results on one-to-one device policies. But most focused on larger districts, so she decided to analyze the program in Hays.
By analyzing ACT test scores from before and after the USD 489 implementation in 2005, Shepherd-Adams showed the board an increase in average scores from 21.5 to 22.3 and increases in every subject area.
Shepherd-Adams said a larger percentage of students on the free/reduced lunch program and more students taking the ACT would normally drop the ACT scores.
But she said by looking at data, she believes the one-to-one tech had a greater impact than the increase in free/reduced lunch participants and ACT test participation.
Taken alone, the research showed “the one-to-one did achieve its goal,” Shepherd-Adams said.
She conceded, however, that other unquantifiable influences may have impacted the scores as well, including increasing levels of student technology engagement, the addition of a study hall period and changes in instruction.
"The USD 489 board present and past, supported the technology, though it was contentious at times. I hope you see that it has been worth it," Shepherd-Adams said.
“It's good to see that a decision made years ago paid off in this area," said Mike Walker, board president.